Latest news with #PeterKosminsky
ITV News
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ITV News
Is the streaming revolution putting UK TV dramas at risk?
A survey of top TV insiders, seen by ITV News Arts Editor Nina, paints a picture of an industry where more and more of its talent is thinking of leaving It has for years been a real UK success story. In 2022 it was reckoned the UK TV industry generated around £20 billion for the economy. But as leading lights from TV prepare to gather for the Bafta awards on Sunday there are many hoping that the issues clouding the horizon will not be forgotten. The most nominated programme this weekend is Baby Reindeer which was made by Netflix. There are also multiple nominations for the Disney+ series Rivals. The streaming services have brought a viewing revolution to our screens: big US companies with deep pockets offering a wealth of choice to viewers. But some leading industry figures here say the streamers' focus on making content that has a global reach is putting homegrown UK-focused stories in high-end drama at risk. Making series like the huge hit Mr Bates v The Post Office is reported to have left ITV with a loss of £1 million last year, even though it was the most watched programme of 2024. The need for domestic broadcasters to make drama that can be sold abroad to recoup costs has raised fears that British stories may be getting squeezed out in the future. Peter Kosminsky the award-winning director of Wolf Hall and its sequel The Mirror and the Light said he would never be able to afford to make a drama like this in the current climate. Competition from streamers, freezes in the BBC licence fee, a drop in advertising revenue not to mention inflation and the ongoing impact of the recent industry strikes in the US, have made the environment in the industry more difficult to navigate. His proposal backed by a parliamentary committee of a 5% levy on revenue from streaming services' UK subscriptions could, he says, be used to help the industry here. But he himself said the fact that it sounds an awful lot like a tariff in an era of Donald Trump, means the government would be very reluctant to take this up. It has reportedly got no favour with the Culture secretary, amid concern it would affect investment in the UK creative industries. There are widespread calls for enhanced tax incentives, particularly from those mainly freelance people, working in the Unscripted sector, things like documentaries, travel shows and reality TV. Recent figures from the union Bectu seen by ITV News, show a slight improvement in some areas from a few months ago but still some alarming figures, including 43% of those surveyed saying they're currently out of work and a third seeing themselves leaving the industry in the next five years. One freelance series producer I spoke to, Clare Fisher has started a support group on Facebook, TV Switch Up, for those like her who can't find work in the industry. She has a huge wealth of experience but has had no work for more than a year. She is now engaged in helping her peers use their skills garnered from work behind the camera to use in other industries. She is clearly heartbroken that she can no longer pursue her vocation in TV. On Sunday there will be a special Bafta award for ITV, given to the channel for its commissioning of Mr Bates vs The Post Office, a drama which famously changed government policy and brought the demise of the post office workers firmly into the spotlight. ITV is being lauded for what one Bafta committee member has described as a 'brave commission.' One of the shows stars, Lia Williams who plays the beleaguered head of the post office Paul Vennells, says right now dramas like these should be seen not as brave but as necessary commissions.
The Independent
10-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Netflix claims levies ‘penalise audiences' in response to culture committee
Netflix has claimed levies 'penalise audiences' and 'diminish competitiveness' in response to a report from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee which suggested a levy for streaming companies. The CMS report urged the government to ramp up support measures for the UK's drama sector while safeguarding the creation of distinctly British content, with tax breaks also among the recommendations put forward. In response, a Netflix spokesperson said: 'The UK is Netflix's biggest production hub outside of North America – and we want it to stay that way. 'But in an increasingly competitive global market, it's key to create a business environment that incentivises rather than penalises investment, risk-taking and success. 'Levies diminish competitiveness and penalise audiences who ultimately bear the increased costs.' The report calls for streamers, such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and Disney+, to commit to paying 5% of their UK subscriber revenue into a cultural fund to help finance drama with a specific interest to British audiences. It also says the Government should introduce a statutory levy if the industry does not voluntarily establish the fund within a year. Netflix's comments come after the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services said: 'A levy on streamers risks damaging UK growth and the global success story of the UK TV sector. 'While we welcome the committee's support for a targeted tax relief enhancement for domestic drama, a levy would risk dampening streamers' existing investment in domestic content and would inevitably increase costs for businesses. Believing there would be no impact is wishful thinking.' The recommendations come after the inquiry into British film and high-end television, which considered how domestic and inward investment production was being affected by the rise of streaming platforms. The report warned: 'Culturally, British domestic HETV (high-end television) is vital to the UK's identity, national conversations and talent pipeline, but it is under threat.' Chairwoman of the committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said that 'there will be countless distinctly British stories that never make it to our screens' unless the Government intervenes to 'rebalance the playing field' between streamers and public service broadcasters (PSBs). The commissioning budgets of PSBs have been 'squeezed by the real-terms reduction of the BBC licence fee', as well as a reduction in advertising revenue, according to the report. Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who made the case for the levy, gave evidence in January and called the finance of public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5, 'insufficient to make high-end TV drama in 2024/5 – in the inflated cost environment created here by the streamers'. He also cited research by Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact), which found that there are 15 TV dramas that 'have been green-lit by the UK PSBs but are currently unable to proceed' because of cost. Director James Hawes said that the success of spy series Slow Horses proves that 'quirky British' productions can become global hits when he gave evidence on British film and high-end television to the committee last year. The report says the Government should consider ways British producers can retain a greater share of their intellectual property rights, claiming that the dynamic between independent producers and streamers is 'not sustainable', and that successful production companies 'are being gutted by deals that deny them the ability to fully monetise their IP'. Domestic high-end TV should also be supported through enhanced tax incentives in the way that independent film has been, it says. It comes after the Government introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit last year which allows productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%. The report says the Government should compare the UK's film and high-end TV tax incentives twice a year with those of other countries and should bring forward any changes if it is found to be less competitive. It also addresses ways in which independent cinema and the industry workforce can be supported, and outlines how the Government needs to do more to help freelancers when they are out of work. The report also makes reference to the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and the concerns of industry workers, with the report stating the Government should fund the British Film Institute's development of an AI observatory and tech demonstrator hub. Dame Caroline said: 'Big box-office blockbusters made in Britain have showcased the UK's world-class film and high-end television industry like never before. 'But the boom in inward investment of recent years now risks crowding out our many talented independent British producers. 'While streamers like Netflix and Amazon have proved a valuable addition for the industry and economy, unless the Government urgently intervenes to rebalance the playing field, for every Adolescence adding to the national conversation, there will be countless distinctly British stories that never make it to our screens. 'From independent production through to cinemas, all parts of our film and high-end TV sector, and the talented people that make it such a success, are going through a turbulent time. 'To neglect just one part puts the entire ecosystem at risk, so it's therefore vital that the Government goes further and faster across the board to support an industry that is so important to both our economy and our soft power overseas. 'Today's report sets out a way forward for the Government to put the name of the UK film and television industry up in lights around the world as the very best place to do business and to work, by offering the right tax incentives, tackling skills shortages, improving worker rights and making sure the rise of AI is a positive force, not a disincentive to investment.' Head of industry union Bectu, Philippa Childs, said: 'We welcome this timely and incisive report from the committee which identifies many of the urgent challenges currently facing the industry and its workforce. 'It's essential that the industry does not become too skewed towards large streamers, which risks the homogenisation of content and the loss of much of the UK's unique and distinctive output.' A DCMS spokesperson added: 'We acknowledge the challenges facing our brilliant film and TV industry and are working with it through our industrial strategy to consider what more needs to be done to unlock growth and develop the skills pipeline. 'We thank the committee for its report which we will respond to in due course.' In response to the report, a BBC spokesperson said: 'We welcome the committee's report and share their objective of ensuring the provision of British content for UK audiences. 'The BBC continues to invest more in British content than anyone else, but as the report highlights, we face significant financial challenges due to pressure on the licence fee and rising industry costs. 'It is, therefore, integral that the BBC and the wider UK creative industries have the support in place to drive growth in the creative economy and support homegrown content and storytelling.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Netflix claims levies ‘penalise audiences' in response to culture committee
Netflix has claimed levies 'penalise audiences' and 'diminish competitiveness' in response to a report from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee which suggested a levy for streaming companies. The CMS report urged the government to ramp up support measures for the UK's drama sector while safeguarding the creation of distinctly British content, with tax breaks also among the recommendations put forward. In response, a Netflix spokesperson said: 'The UK is Netflix's biggest production hub outside of North America – and we want it to stay that way. 'But in an increasingly competitive global market, it's key to create a business environment that incentivises rather than penalises investment, risk-taking and success. 'Levies diminish competitiveness and penalise audiences who ultimately bear the increased costs.' The report calls for streamers, such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and Disney+, to commit to paying 5% of their UK subscriber revenue into a cultural fund to help finance drama with a specific interest to British audiences. It also says the Government should introduce a statutory levy if the industry does not voluntarily establish the fund within a year. Netflix's comments come after the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services said: 'A levy on streamers risks damaging UK growth and the global success story of the UK TV sector. 'While we welcome the committee's support for a targeted tax relief enhancement for domestic drama, a levy would risk dampening streamers' existing investment in domestic content and would inevitably increase costs for businesses. Believing there would be no impact is wishful thinking.' The recommendations come after the inquiry into British film and high-end television, which considered how domestic and inward investment production was being affected by the rise of streaming platforms. The report warned: 'Culturally, British domestic HETV (high-end television) is vital to the UK's identity, national conversations and talent pipeline, but it is under threat.' Chairwoman of the committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said that 'there will be countless distinctly British stories that never make it to our screens' unless the Government intervenes to 'rebalance the playing field' between streamers and public service broadcasters (PSBs). The commissioning budgets of PSBs have been 'squeezed by the real-terms reduction of the BBC licence fee', as well as a reduction in advertising revenue, according to the report. Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who made the case for the levy, gave evidence in January and called the finance of public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4 and Channel 5, 'insufficient to make high-end TV drama in 2024/5 – in the inflated cost environment created here by the streamers'. He also cited research by Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact), which found that there are 15 TV dramas that 'have been green-lit by the UK PSBs but are currently unable to proceed' because of cost. Director James Hawes said that the success of spy series Slow Horses proves that 'quirky British' productions can become global hits when he gave evidence on British film and high-end television to the committee last year. The report says the Government should consider ways British producers can retain a greater share of their intellectual property rights, claiming that the dynamic between independent producers and streamers is 'not sustainable', and that successful production companies 'are being gutted by deals that deny them the ability to fully monetise their IP'. Domestic high-end TV should also be supported through enhanced tax incentives in the way that independent film has been, it says. It comes after the Government introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit last year which allows productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%. The report says the Government should compare the UK's film and high-end TV tax incentives twice a year with those of other countries and should bring forward any changes if it is found to be less competitive. It also addresses ways in which independent cinema and the industry workforce can be supported, and outlines how the Government needs to do more to help freelancers when they are out of work. The report also makes reference to the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and the concerns of industry workers, with the report stating the Government should fund the British Film Institute's development of an AI observatory and tech demonstrator hub. Dame Caroline said: 'Big box-office blockbusters made in Britain have showcased the UK's world-class film and high-end television industry like never before. 'But the boom in inward investment of recent years now risks crowding out our many talented independent British producers. 'While streamers like Netflix and Amazon have proved a valuable addition for the industry and economy, unless the Government urgently intervenes to rebalance the playing field, for every Adolescence adding to the national conversation, there will be countless distinctly British stories that never make it to our screens. 'From independent production through to cinemas, all parts of our film and high-end TV sector, and the talented people that make it such a success, are going through a turbulent time. 'To neglect just one part puts the entire ecosystem at risk, so it's therefore vital that the Government goes further and faster across the board to support an industry that is so important to both our economy and our soft power overseas. 'Today's report sets out a way forward for the Government to put the name of the UK film and television industry up in lights around the world as the very best place to do business and to work, by offering the right tax incentives, tackling skills shortages, improving worker rights and making sure the rise of AI is a positive force, not a disincentive to investment.' Head of industry union Bectu, Philippa Childs, said: 'We welcome this timely and incisive report from the committee which identifies many of the urgent challenges currently facing the industry and its workforce. 'It's essential that the industry does not become too skewed towards large streamers, which risks the homogenisation of content and the loss of much of the UK's unique and distinctive output.' A DCMS spokesperson added: 'We acknowledge the challenges facing our brilliant film and TV industry and are working with it through our industrial strategy to consider what more needs to be done to unlock growth and develop the skills pipeline. 'We thank the committee for its report which we will respond to in due course.' In response to the report, a BBC spokesperson said: 'We welcome the committee's report and share their objective of ensuring the provision of British content for UK audiences. 'The BBC continues to invest more in British content than anyone else, but as the report highlights, we face significant financial challenges due to pressure on the licence fee and rising industry costs. 'It is, therefore, integral that the BBC and the wider UK creative industries have the support in place to drive growth in the creative economy and support homegrown content and storytelling.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Government needs to safeguard distinctly British content, says Culture Committee
The Government needs to ramp up support measures for the UK's high-quality drama sector while safeguarding the creation of distinctly British content, a report has said. Tax breaks and a streamer levy are among the recommendations outlined in the report from the Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) Committee. It comes following the inquiry into British film and high-end television, which considered how domestic and inward investment production was being affected by the rise of streaming platforms. 'Culturally British domestic HETV (high-end television) is vital to the UK's identity, national conversations and talent pipeline, but it is under threat', the report warns. Chairwoman of the committee, Dame Caroline Dinenage, said 'there will be countless distinctly British stories that never make it to our screens' unless the Government intervenes to 'rebalance the playing field' between streamers and public service broadcasters (PSBs). The commissioning budgets of PSBs have been 'squeezed by the real terms reduction of the BBC licence fee', as well as a reduction in advertising revenue, according to the report. The report calls for streamers, such as Netflix, Amazon, Apple TV+ and Disney+, to commit to paying 5% of their UK subscriber revenue into a cultural fund to help finance drama with a specific interest to British audiences. It also says that the Government should introduce a statutory levy if the industry does not voluntarily establish the fund within a year. Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky, who made the case for the levy, gave evidence in January and called the finance of public broadcasters, which include ITV, BBC, Channel 4, and Channel 5, 'insufficient to make high-end TV drama in 2024/5 – in the inflated cost environment created here by the streamers'. He also cited research by Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact), which found that there are 15 TV dramas that 'have been green-lit by the UK PSBs but are currently unable to proceed' because of cost. Director James Hawes said that the success of spy series Slow Horses proves that 'quirky British' productions can become global hits when he gave evidence on British film and high-end television to the committee last year. The report says the Government should consider ways British producers can retain a greater share of their intellectual property rights, claiming that the dynamic between independent producers and streamers is 'not sustainable', and that successful production companies 'are being gutted by deals that deny them the ability to fully monetise their IP'. Domestic high-end TV should also be supported through enhanced tax incentives in the way that independent film has been. It comes after the Government introduced the Independent Film Tax Credit last year which allows productions costing up to £15 million to benefit from an increased tax relief of 53%. The report says the Government should compare the UK's film and high-end TV tax incentives twice a year with those of other countries and should bring forward any changes if it is found to be less competitive. The report also addresses ways in which independent cinema and the industry workforce can be supported, and outlines how the Government needs to do more to help freelancers when they are out of work. It also makes reference to the impact of generative artificial intelligence (AI), and the concerns of industry workers, with the report stating the Government should fund the British Film Institute's development of an AI observatory and tech demonstrator hub. Dame Caroline said: 'Big box-office blockbusters made in Britain have showcased the UK's world-class film and high-end television industry like never before. 'But the boom in inward investment of recent years now risks crowding out our many talented independent British producers. 'While streamers like Netflix and Amazon have proved a valuable addition for the industry and economy, unless the Government urgently intervenes to rebalance the playing field, for every 'Adolescence' adding to the national conversation, there will be countless distinctly British stories that never make it to our screens. 'From independent production through to cinemas, all parts of our film and high-end TV sector, and the talented people that make it such a success, are going through a turbulent time. 'To neglect just one part puts the entire ecosystem at risk, so it's therefore vital that the Government goes further and faster across the board to support an industry that is so important to both our economy and our soft power overseas. 'Today's report sets out a way forward for the Government to put the name of the UK film and television industry up in lights around the world as the very best place to do business and to work, by offering the right tax incentives, tackling skills shortages, improving worker rights and making sure the rise of AI is a positive force, not a disincentive to investment.' Head of industry union Bectu, Philippa Childs, said: 'We welcome this timely and incisive report from the Committee which identifies many of the urgent challenges currently facing the industry and its workforce.' She added: 'It's essential that the industry does not become too skewed towards large streamers, which risks the homogenisation of content and the loss of much of the UK's unique and distinctive output.' In response to the recommendations, a Netflix spokesperson said: 'The UK is Netflix's biggest production hub outside of North America – and we want it to stay that way. 'But in an increasingly competitive global market, it's key to create a business environment that incentivises rather than penalises investment, risk-taking and success. 'Levies diminish competitiveness and penalise audiences who ultimately bear the increased costs.' A DCMS spokesperson said: 'We acknowledge the challenges facing our brilliant film and TV industry and are working with it through our Industrial Strategy to consider what more needs to be done to unlock growth and develop the skills pipeline. We thank the Committee for its report which we will respond to in due course.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'We welcome the committee's report and share their objective of ensuring the provision of British content for UK audiences. 'The BBC continues to invest more in British content than anyone else, but as the report highlights, we face significant financial challenges due to pressure on the licence fee and rising industry costs. 'It is therefore integral that the BBC and the wider UK creative industries have the support in place to drive growth in the creative economy and support homegrown content and storytelling.' The Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services said: 'A levy on streamers risks damaging UK growth and the global success story of the UK TV sector. 'While we welcome the committee's support for a targeted tax relief enhancement for domestic drama, a levy would risk dampening streamers' existing investment in domestic content and would inevitably increase costs for businesses – believing there would be no impact is wishful thinking.'
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peter Kosminsky: UK Government Would Rather See British Drama 'Go To The Wall' Than Upset Trump
EXCLUSIVE: Wolf Hall director Peter Kosminsky has argued that the UK government is more worried about 'poking the U.S. presidential bear' than protecting British TV storytelling. The BAFTA-winning dramatist has been a forceful advocate for a streamer levy to support local scripted content amid a funding crisis, but is sceptical that British ministers share his vision. More from Deadline Netflix Will Hike Prices If UK Introduces Streamer Levy UK Culture Committee Officially Recommends 5% SVoD Levy & Urges Government To Take Legal Steps If Industry Doesn't Act: "It's Time For The Streamers To Put Their Money Where Their Mouth Is" 'Wolf Hall' Director Says Almost All Outdoor Scenes In Acclaimed Drama Were Cut Due To Gap In Funding Kosminsky's latest intervention comes as UK Parliament's Culture, Media & Sport Committee recommended that, if the industry can't design its own scheme, the government should force the likes of Netflix to pay a 5% revenue levy into a cultural fund that supports local high-end TV production. Responding to the recommendation, Kosminsky told Deadline: 'However much support builds for the idea of a streamers' levy to support UK PSB [public service broadcaster] production, I'm concerned that the government isn't brave enough to introduce such an idea. 'They seem to be so terrified of poking the US presidential bear that my fear is they would rather see UK PSB HETV production go to the wall – leaving us with an unbroken diet of streamers' HE television in the UK – than face the prospect of countermeasures from the White House.' The Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) has been approached for comment. Chris Bryant, the creative industries minister, told lawmakers in January that 'we haven't got any plans' to introduce a levy. Since then, Trump has introduced tariffs and the UK is keen to avoid measures that look like retaliation and risk sparking a trade war. In a statement about the Culture, Media & Sport Committee's recommendations, the DCMS said: 'We acknowledge the challenges facing our brilliant film and TV industry and are working with it through our Industrial Strategy to consider what more needs to be done to unlock growth and develop the skills pipeline. We thank the Committee for its report which we will respond to in due course.' Kosminsky added that the Culture, Media & Sport Committee's proposal, that the cultural fund 'support domestic HETV production,' was too vague. 'To have the effect described, to save PSB HETV production and to reinvigorate the co-production market, it's important to be clear that the fund can only be used for productions with a UK PSB commission attached. Otherwise, there is a danger that a significant proportion of the fund could be siphoned back towards the streamers themselves,' he said. A funding crisis has dominated discussions in the UK scripted community, as executives lament a perfect storm of issues, including U.S. streamers pulling back from co-production, shrinking international sales advances, persistent inflation, ad revenue declines, and BBC funding cuts. There is not universal consensus around a levy, with high-profile figures such as Black Doves producer Jane Featherstone speaking out against the proposal. Others, like Adolescence writer Jack Thorne, think a mix of solutions, including increased tax breaks, is the right way forward. Netflix has warned that it will hike prices if a levy is introduced. 'Levies diminish competitiveness and penalise audiences who ultimately bear the increased costs,' the company said. Best of Deadline Which Colleen Hoover Books Are Becoming Movies? 'Verity,' 'Reminders Of Him' & 'Regretting You' Will Join 'It Ends With Us' 'The Last Of Us' Season 2: Everything We Know So Far Book-To-Movie Adaptations Coming Out In 2025
