{"id":87661,"date":"2017-12-30T00:00:23","date_gmt":"2017-12-30T00:00:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=f8f5d3d763922803f84b120637d3db82"},"modified":"2017-12-30T00:00:23","modified_gmt":"2017-12-30T00:00:23","slug":"press-release-60-million-boost-to-uk-childrens-television","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=87661","title":{"rendered":"Press release: \u00a360 million boost to UK children\u2019s television"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Government\u2019s response to the consultation on the Contestable Fund, sets out proposals for up to \u00a360 million to be made available for content creators to receive up to 50 per cent of the production and distribution costs of original TV shows.<\/p>\n

The fund is still in development, but would be available for content broadcast on commercial Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs), as well as for other free and widely available channels and on-demand platforms, and potentially also online.<\/p>\n

Over the past decade the output of children\u2019s television from PSBs in the UK has been in decline, with spending falling by \u00a355m. This investment will aim to help reverse that trend and is the first of its kind to specifically focus on children\u2019s television.<\/p>\n

The pilot is also aimed at stimulating greater variety in a market where the BBC is often the dominant buyer and broadcaster of children\u2019s content. In 2016, the BBC accounted for 87% of all first run UK originated children\u2019s programming by PSBs.<\/p>\n

The pilot is intended to complement other measures taken by government in this area, including the introduction of a children\u2019s TV tax break and new powers given to Ofcom.<\/p>\n

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said:<\/p>\n

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High quality children\u2019s television is not only entertaining but plays a vital role in stimulating learning and giving young people a greater understanding of the world around them.<\/p>\n

This significant investment will give our world-renowned television production sector the boost it needs to create innovative content for a wider audience that would otherwise not be made.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Anna Home OBE, Chair of the Children\u2019s Media Foundation said:<\/p>\n

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The Children\u2019s Media Foundation welcomes the confirmation that the new Contestable Content Fund will focus on the children\u2019s audience. It\u2019s a much-needed stimulus for the UK\u2019s children\u2019s media makers and we hope it will bring new and exciting content for children of all ages that could not otherwise have been commissioned.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

John McVay, Chief Executive of PACT said:<\/p>\n

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Pact has long campaigned for increased investment in original children\u2019s content to incentivise new entrants to the market. This along with the introduction of the PSB criteria through the Digital Economy Act, will encourage the commercial PSBs back to the table and foster new talent.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The cash will be distributed over three years as part of a pilot starting in 2019. Programmes from new and diverse backgrounds, and those made in the nations and regions, will be a particular focus.<\/p>\n

The funding for the pilot has been made available as a result of unspent funds from the previous licence fee settlement.<\/p>\n

The BFI has been provisionally appointed as administrator for the fund, and will work with government on its final design, including whether the fund should include other genres in its scope.<\/p>\n

Notes to Editors<\/h3>\n