Category: BBC
Date: 13.07.2005
Printable version
The BBC achieved its best ever performance against the
statutory 25 per cent independent production quota in 2004 by achieving
30 per cent (rounded down from 30.3 per cent), according to official
Ofcom figures released today (13 July 2005).
The publication of Ofcom's Communications Market Report
confirms BBC's performance as 5 per cent (rounded down from 5.3 per
cent) beyond the 25 per cent minimum hours required by the Communications
Act - a further substantial improvement on last year's figure of 28.8
per cent.
The BBC also confirms that it achieved 30.8 per cent
by spend overall in 2004.
"Ofcom's validation of our figures highlights our commitment
to open commissioning of the very best programmes," says Jana Bennett,
the BBC's Director of Television.
"There were strong ideas in all genres on BBC Television
last year from a variety of independent producers from across the UK.
"Audiences benefit from the strong creative competition
that exists between independents and our own in-house producers, and
we believe that innovations such as the 'Window of Creative Competition'
will increase the intensity of that competition in future."
The BBC commissioned a total of over 2,720 hours and
spent £329m with independent production companies in 2004 (including
both qualifying and non-qualifying producers).
Spend on all independent suppliers has increased by
36 per cent (£87.6m) since 2001/02.
