television production

Is British TV under threat? BBC plans Netflix-style service

"The UK is sleepwalking towards a serious, long term weakening of its TV production industry," said Hall, in front of a DCMS committee in Westminster on Tuesday November 7th .

Hall proposed the idea of a new, paid-for on-demand service featuring BBC programming, following the closure of the BBC Store after only 18 months.

The appetite for video on demand (VOD) and other third-party platforms is growing in the UK and abroad, in what is a rapidly changing TV market.

Event report: Funny ha ha?: The serious business of working in TV comedy

There were sobering words among the laughs generated by the panel, which was expertly chaired by writer and presenter of ITV2 panel show Safeword Rick Edwards.

BBC Comedy producer James Farrell, who boasts Mrs Browns’ Boys among his credits, warned the audience of would-be comedy producers and writers that “comedy is the most difficult genre by a mile to get into and make”. However, he added, “the flip side is that there are very few people who are good at it so, if you’re talented and tenacious, then you will make it”.

Channel 4 boasts increased audience share in annual report

The broadcaster's revenues are up by £41m on 2014.

The report also revealed the broadcaster worked with 295 suppliers to deliver its content, with a total spend over the year of £629m, of which £455m (approx. 72%) was spent on original content.

Across the Nations and Regions, content spend was at £149m.

For the first time in nine years Channel 4 has increased its audience share on its main channel across all hours, while the peak time portfolio up 12.9% year-on-year.