Published: 25 Feb 2019
An innovative collaboration between the BBC and Screen Scotland, which aims to put Scotland’s television industry on the world stage, has been announced by BBC Director-General, Tony Hall.
The Director-General said the initiative, which aims to support Scotland’s television industry by supporting world-class drama, cutting-edge comedy and high-end factual content, marks the start of an exciting long-term partnership between the BBC and Creative Scotland’s screen arm, Screen Scotland.
Lord Hall and Creative Scotland’s acting Chief Executive, Iain Munro, have now signed a formal agreement which will allow the two organisations to work together to build on the recent wave of increased activity in Scotland’s television industry.
He made the announcement about the new partnership last night in Glasgow to an audience who had gathered to watch the switching-on of the brand new BBC Scotland television channel.
Left to right: Robert Wilson, Iain Munro, Tony Hall (Director-General, BBC), Donalda MacKinnon (Director, BBC Scotland)
Lord Hall said, “As part of the BBC’s commitment to this new partnership, we have agreed to deliver, to network, each year, a minimum of three drama series from Scotland, three comedy titles and three high-impact factual series.
“This is the first stage in a long-term collaboration involving the BBC, Screen Scotland and potentially other relevant parties with the aim of backing ambitious projects reflecting Scottish culture which can be enjoyed by audiences in Scotland, across the UK and internationally.”
Iain Munro, Acting Chief Executive at Creative Scotland said, “This is an incredibly important moment for screen in Scotland. We have a strong history of partnering on projects with BBC Scotland and this agreement sets out clearly how we will build on this. It makes clear our common goals and where we can jointly support the screen sector in Scotland to thrive; producing more high quality content, developing emerging talent and celebrating our exciting culture.”
The agreement, signed by Lord Hall and Mr Munro, sets down a framework outlining how the two organisations will build on existing support and training for the industry. It also outlines how they will work together over the next three years with a view to establishing a long-term working partnership focused on building a sustainable television sector in Scotland.
The organisations will work together to achieve value from a variety of funding packages. These include; the Scottish Government’s increased funding to Screen Scotland, an additional investment in the newly-launched BBC Scotland, and the BBC’s ongoing commitment to invest at least 8% of network television spend in Scotland as well as from the range of content services already provided by BBC Scotland.
This is a joint media release issued by the BBC and Screen Scotland.
For enquiries to BBC Scotland please contact:
Jan Patience
Corporate Affairs Advisor, BBC Scotland
M: 07802 427207
jan.patience@bbc.co.uk
For enquiries to Screen Scotland please contact:
Eilidh Walker
Media Relations and PR Officer- Screen
T: 0131 523 0019
M: 07545 402 064
Eilidh.Walker@creativescotland.com
BBC Scotland serves a population of 5.3 million people, providing services to all of Scotland’s major urban conurbations, rural and island communities. Television services for audiences include BBC One Scotland, BBC Scotland (launched in February 2019), and the Gaelic language service, BBC ALBA (operated in collaboration with MG ALBA); speech and specialist music radio services are provided via BBC Radio Scotland and, in Gaelic, BBC Radio nan Gaidheal; there is online provision at https://www.bbc.com/scotland; and The Social offers BBC Scotland content via social media. @BBCScotland
Screen Scotland is the dedicated partnership for screen in Scotland. With £20 million from Scottish Government and the National Lottery, Screen Scotland is driving the cultural, social and economic development of all aspects of the sector in Scotland, through enhanced funding, services and support. Screen Scotland sits within Creative Scotland and is a partnership with Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Skills Development Scotland , Scottish Funding Council, working in close collaboration with the sector to ensure its success. @screenscots
