Latest news with #FrozenPlanet
Daily Mirror
08-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Trump's new tariffs 'could see BBC licence fee scrapped'
The US President is proposing a 100% tariff on foreign-made films and television programmes, potentially dealing a hammer blow to BBC Studios - the commercial arm of the national broadcaster BBC viewers could be hit in the pocket by Donald Trump's aggressive policy to bolster Hollywood, with ministers being warned of possible repercussions. There's concern in Westminster about the US President's suggestion of slapping a 100% tariff on all foreign-produced films and TV shows. This potential move could seriously harm BBC Studios – the corporation's money-making wing that banked £454million from its American audience last year, with the USA being a crucial source of money. One expert has said that could mean a move away from the licence free to a "different model". Shows like Doctor Who and Frozen Planet are huge across the pond, but it's not yet clear if these tariffs would impact only the big screen or the telly side of things as well. MPs believe the effect on the BBC's wallet might be dire, with the licence fee cash already getting thinner. The Conservative Shadow Culture Secretary Stuart Andrew voiced his concern in the House of Commons, pressing the government for clarity: "What assessment have they made on the potential drastic cut in the BBC Studios profits, that sells into the US market, could have on the licence fee?" Brit households might have to pay more to keep their current services going as fewer people splash out on licences and more make the jump to streaming giants like Netflix. Culture Minister Sir Chris Bryant said the government was "already in active discussions with the top of the US administration on this subject". BBC Studios raked in more than £1.8billion globally last year, a dip from £2.1billion the previous year – highlighting the broadcaster's increasing dependence on overseas sales to bolster domestic services. When asked about how the broadcaster might fill the void if US sales plummet, the BBC declined to comment. Mr Andrew also said: "They wasted five months when they could have been negotiating. They need to highlight [to President Trump] that tariffs will hurt US businesses as they have invested in UK facilities." Trade talks are now understood to be ramping up as ministers scramble to shield UK exporters from Trump's incoming trade regime, which could slap blanket 10% tariffs on a wide range of British goods. Hollywood insiders have reportedly urged the US administration to target overseas film producers. Among them is actor Jon Voight – Angelina Jolie 's father – who is said to have lobbied for tariffs on non-US content. Media experts say the row could trigger a fundamental rethink of the licence fee, currently set at £174.50 per year. Professor Patrick Barwise, of London Business School, told the Telegraph: 'This will further feed into a sense that it is going to damage BBC Studios' ability to generate revenue from [the US] market. The contributions from BBC Studios are used to subsidise the licence fee. My hunch is that we'll end up with a different model from the licence fee.' He added: 'This is going to hit its exports, but also it will hit other UK studios. It hits the whole distribution system and it will increase costs.' The BBC's Royal Charter, which underpins the licence fee model, expires in 2027. Talks to agree on a new funding model are expected to begin later this year. Current Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has already described the model as 'unenforceable', raising speculation that Britain could be heading for a radical overhaul of how the national broadcaster is funded. A Government spokesperson said: 'Talks on an economic deal between the US and the UK are ongoing – but we are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of live discussions or set any timelines because it is not in the national interest. We will continue to take a calm and steady approach to talks and aim to find a resolution to help ease the pressure on UK businesses and consumers.'
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's tariffs could push up BBC licence fee, Tories warn
Trump's proposed 100pc tariff on foreign films could push up the cost of the BBC licence fee, the shadow culture secretary has warned. The UK government said it was in 'active discussions' with the White House after the US president suggested he may apply tariffs to foreign-made films to revive America's movie industry. The move could cripple the revenue of BBC Studios, the corporation's commercial arm, which last year made £454m by selling productions to the American market, according to its annual report. Some of its most notable exports include Doctor Who and David Attenborough's Frozen Planet films. It is unclear whether Trump's tariffs will be applied solely to films or also television series. Either way, shadow culture secretary, Stuart Andrew, warned the loss of income could leave British licence fee payers footing the bill. In an urgent question to the Government on Wednesday, he asked: 'What assessment have they made on the potential drastic cut in the BBC Studios profits, that sells into the US market, could have on the licence fee?' Sir Chris Byrant, the culture minister, said in response that Labour was 'already in active discussions with the top of the US administration on this subject'. More than £1.8bn was made by BBC Studios last year by selling its popular British film and television productions to audiences around the world, down from £2.1bn in 2023. The money is a lifeline for the corporation as more viewers cancel their licence fees and turn to streaming services like Netflix instead. When asked by The Telegraph how it planned to deal with the impact of the tariffs should they come into effect, the BBC declined to comment. Mr Andrew said it was proof Labour should have begun trade negotiations with President Trump sooner. He told The Telegraph: 'They wasted five months when they could have been negotiating. They need to highlight [to President Trump] that tariffs will hurt US businesses as they have invested in UK facilities.' The Government is racing to seal a trade deal with President Trump to reduce the impact of his tariff regime – under which UK exporters will pay a blanket 10pc tariff. Last month, Trump initiated a 90-day pause before the regime was implemented. On Tuesday, it was reported Angelina Jolie's father, Jon Voight, had advised the White House to include films produced outside of the US in its tariff war in a bid to save Hollywood. However, the President appeared to soften his stance late on Tuesday, telling CNBC: 'I'm not looking to hurt the industry, I want to help the industry.' Experts said it may spark a total overhaul of the £174.50 annual licence fee scheme. Patrick Barwise, emeritus professor of management and marketing at London Business School, said: 'This will further feed into a sense that it is going to damage BBC Studios ability to generate revenue from [the US] market. 'The contributions from BBC Studios are used to subsidise the licence free. My hunch is that we'll end up with a different model from the licence fee.' He added it was 'another blow on top of the massive funding cuts since 2010. This is going to hit its exports but also it will hit other UK studios. It hits the whole distribution system and it will increase costs'. The BBC's charter, which authorises it to administer the licence fee to generate profit, is due to end in 2027, with discussions between the corporation and the Government starting this year and its renewal thereafter. Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, previously criticised the model as 'unenforceable'. A government spokesman said: 'Talks on an economic deal between the US and the UK are ongoing – but we are not going to provide a running commentary on the details of live discussions or set any timelines because it is not in the national interest. 'We will continue to take a calm and steady approach to talks and aim to find a resolution to help ease the pressure on UK businesses and consumers.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Age
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
David Attenborough has a new film for his 99th birthday – and it's surprisingly optimistic
David Attenborough is doing what he does best for his 99th birthday next Thursday … presenting a new film. The legendary British natural historian, broadcaster and documentary filmmaker, who has hosted such landmark series as Life on Earth, The Living Planet and Frozen Planet over more than 70 years, is still hard at work. His latest documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, opens in cinemas around the world on his birthday. 'He's remarkable,' co-director Colin Butfield says on a Zoom call from England. 'He's coming to the premiere, he's in fantastic form. I've just written a book with him, which is tiring enough for me, and I'm 52. I don't think he's ever going to stop working.' Ocean has Attenborough reflecting – in that famously authoritative voice – on what he has learnt over his lifetime. 'After living for nearly 100 years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea,' he says. 'To this day, we have seen more of other planets than we have of the ocean. Now we are making discoveries that completely change our understanding and could offer a better future for everyone on Earth forever.' The film shows some alarming threats to the ocean's vitality, including industrial bottom-trawling. A chain or metal boom is dragged across the seabed, turning it into an underwater desert, to catch a single species, with almost everything else caught in a net discarded. 'Lines of baited hooks 50 miles long reel in millions of sharks every year,' Attenborough adds. 'We have now killed two-thirds of all large predatory fish.' Also concerning are huge trawlers harvesting krill in Antarctica, threatening the food supply of almost every creature there, to supply fish farms, health supplements, and pet food. Another bad sign is mass coral bleaching in Florida, the Caribbean, the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef, attributed to heatwave conditions around the world.
Sydney Morning Herald
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
David Attenborough has a new film for his 99th birthday – and it's surprisingly optimistic
David Attenborough is doing what he does best for his 99th birthday next Thursday … presenting a new film. The legendary British natural historian, broadcaster and documentary filmmaker, who has hosted such landmark series as Life on Earth, The Living Planet and Frozen Planet over more than 70 years, is still hard at work. His latest documentary, Ocean with David Attenborough, opens in cinemas around the world on his birthday. 'He's remarkable,' co-director Colin Butfield says on a Zoom call from England. 'He's coming to the premiere, he's in fantastic form. I've just written a book with him, which is tiring enough for me, and I'm 52. I don't think he's ever going to stop working.' Ocean has Attenborough reflecting – in that famously authoritative voice – on what he has learnt over his lifetime. 'After living for nearly 100 years on this planet, I now understand that the most important place on Earth is not on land, but at sea,' he says. 'To this day, we have seen more of other planets than we have of the ocean. Now we are making discoveries that completely change our understanding and could offer a better future for everyone on Earth forever.' The film shows some alarming threats to the ocean's vitality, including industrial bottom-trawling. A chain or metal boom is dragged across the seabed, turning it into an underwater desert, to catch a single species, with almost everything else caught in a net discarded. 'Lines of baited hooks 50 miles long reel in millions of sharks every year,' Attenborough adds. 'We have now killed two-thirds of all large predatory fish.' Also concerning are huge trawlers harvesting krill in Antarctica, threatening the food supply of almost every creature there, to supply fish farms, health supplements, and pet food. Another bad sign is mass coral bleaching in Florida, the Caribbean, the Maldives, and the Great Barrier Reef, attributed to heatwave conditions around the world.
National Geographic
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- National Geographic
Penguins are insanely resilient—and these explorers are revealing their secrets
Borboroglu's initiatives to create protected areas for penguins have helped conserve some 32 million acres of habitat, on land and at sea. Now 55, he takes inspiration from the birds' resilience—the way they swim hundreds of thousands of miles for food, avoid predators and pollution, and survive in environments increasingly impacted by climate change. 'When you see penguins making that big effort,' he reflects, 'you say, How can I give up?' Being recognized as an Explorer of the Year alongside his filmmaker friend, Borboroglu says, is 'fantastic … a great combination of different kinds of explorers and expertise.' At first, Gregory says, he was hesitant to make a documentary about penguins. The Emmy-winning host of the Disney+ series Animals Up Close, who has shot for iconic series like Planet Earth and Frozen Planet, knew that filming in penguins' harsh habitats would be tough—and worried the species was already plenty documented. 'If you're going to make a series called Secrets of the Penguins,' he says, 'you've got to show people something they've never seen before.' But Gregory embraced the challenge. To film one of the series' three episodes, he camped for more than two months near an emperor penguin colony in Antarctica's Atka Bay. He was documenting a critical phase in a penguin's life cycle, when juveniles, abandoned by their parents, are left to figure out how to become a 'proper adult penguin,' getting themselves to the ocean to swim and hunt. Gregory succeeded spectacularly in capturing behaviors never before filmed, including footage of hundreds of young emperor penguins entering the sea by 'BASE jumping' off a 50-foot cliff. 'I really think it's going to blow people's minds,' he says. 'I thought I knew what penguins' limits were. I was wrong.'
