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Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Review Finds No 'Toxic Culture' But 'Minority of People Whose Behavior Is Simply Not Acceptable'
A BBC review has found no evidence of a 'toxic culture' but a 'minority of people whose behavior is simply not acceptable,' the U.K. public broadcaster said on Monday. It vowed to 'take immediate action to improve workplace culture' after publishing the comprehensive independent report that its board had commissioned amid allegations of bullying. The review and report from Change Associates, led by executive chairman and founder Grahame Russell, 'found no evidence of a toxic culture, but in a series of detailed findings and recommendations, it highlighted key areas for improvement,' the broadcaster said. More from The Hollywood Reporter Mike Myers Explains Origins of Recent Canadian Political Activism Luis Ortega on His 'Kill the Jockey' Follow-Up, U.S. Politics and Madrid's Platino Awards: Nobody "Gives a F***, People Don't Like Reading Subtitles" Lilja Ingolfsdottir's 'Loveable' Wins Four Awards, Including for Best Film, as Beijing Fest Closes on a Musical Note The report also found that 'the majority of people who work for the BBC are proud to do so and describe loving their jobs,' it said. 'Some staff, however, thought there [was] a minority of people at the BBC – both on and off-air – who were able to behave unacceptably without it being addressed.' Concluded the report: 'Even though they are small in number, their behavior creates large ripples which negatively impact the BBC's culture and external reputation.' The BBC board and management have fully accepted the report and its findings, with both calling it 'a catalyst for meaningful change.' 'There is a minority of people whose behavior is simply not acceptable. And there are still places where powerful individuals – on and off screen – can abuse that power to make life for their colleagues unbearable,' said BBC chair Samir Shah. 'The report makes several recommendations that prioritize action over procedural change – which is exactly right. It also addresses some deep-seated issues: for example, the need to make sure everyone can feel confident and not cowed about speaking up.' He concluded: 'In the end, it's quite simple: if you are a person who is prepared to abuse power or punch down or behave badly, there is no place for you at the BBC.' BBC director-general Tim Davie said that the report 'represents an important moment for the BBC and the wider industry. It provides clear, practical recommendations that we are committed to implementing at pace.' He added: 'The action we are taking today is designed to change the experience of what it is to be at the BBC for everyone and to ensure the values we all sign up to when we arrive here – the values that, for most of us, are what made us want to come to the BBC in the first place – are lived and championed by the whole organization each and every day.' The BBC said its immediate actions include launching 'a refreshed and strengthened' Code of Conduct, with specific guidance for on-air presenters; implementing 'a more robust' disciplinary policy, with updated examples of misconduct and clear consequences; requiring all TV production partners to meet Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) industry standards; rolling out a new 'Call It Out' campaign to 'promote positive behavior, empower informal resolution where appropriate, and challenge poor conduct;' and introducing clear pledges for anyone raising concerns and setting out what they can expect from the BBC. The review also came up with other recommendations, including investment in leadership and HR capabilities, such as defining the leadership skills the BBC values most and ensuring they are being embedded at all levels; enhancing succession planning to 'create more transparent and inclusive processes for identifying and preparing all talent, particularly in on-air roles;' and establishing a dedicated and independent Response Team 'to rebuild trust and confidence in how issues are raised, addressed and anonymously reported. ' Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
U.K. Streaming Tax? Netflix Responds: 'Incentivize Rather Than Penalize Investment and Success'
Global streaming giants didn't mince their words on Thursday when they reacted to a call from a U.K. parliamentary committee for a levy of 5 percent of U.K. subscriber revenue on foreign streaming services, including the likes of Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and Disney+, to help finance British drama production. In a statement, Netflix highlighted that the U.K. is the streamer's 'biggest production hub outside of North America – and we want it to stay that way.' It added a thinly veiled warning that levies or taxes would lead to price increases: 'In an increasingly competitive global market, it's key to create a business environment that incentivizes rather than penalizes investment, risk taking and success. Levies diminish competitiveness and penalize audiences who ultimately bear the increased costs.' More from The Hollywood Reporter Jewish Film Festival Berlin Brandenburg Unveils 2025 Lineup 'Saturday Night Live' Coming to the U.K. With Sky 'Ne Zha 2,' China's Record Setter, Gets Beijing Fest Exhibition of Director Jiaozi's Hand-Painted Posters A source close to the matter told THR: 'Netflix members have already paid the BBC license fee. A levy would be a double tax on them and us. It's unfair. This is a tariff on success. And our members are going to be punished.' The Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) also argued that a levy could hurt streamers' investment in Britain. 'Especially in this economic climate, a levy risks impacting existing content budgets for U.K. shows, jobs, and growth, along with raising costs for businesses,' said COBA executive director Adam Minns. 'Ironically, it could actually damage public service broadcaster dramas by reducing co-production budgets at streamers.' As reported, urgent action' is needed 'to protect distinctly British content,' the Culture, Media and Sport Committee of the House of Commons of the U.K. parliament concluded after holding an inquiry via a series of hearings. In its final report, published on Thursday, it called on the government of Labour Party leader and Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'to ramp up support across film and high-end TV.' Among its proposals are additional tax incentives to benefit independent films, support for independent cinemas, and the streaming tax. The recommendation 'for streamers, such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and Disney+, which benefit from the creativity of British producers, to put their money where their mouth' called for them to pay 5 percent of their U.K. subscriber revenue into 'a cultural fund to help finance drama with a specific interest to British audiences.' If the industry does not voluntarily establish such a fund, administered by the BFI, within a year, the U.K. government 'should introduce a statutory levy,' the committee recommended. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire Sign in to access your portfolio
