Fremantle fancies BBC Content

Frematle Media – owner of Thames Television and Grundy Productions – have urged the House Of Commons ‘Media Select Committee’ to take a look at how BBC Worldwide is operated in the hope the committee will urge a Government review of the commerical arm of the corporation.

Broadcast report that Fremantle has joined forces with PACT – the independent trade body – to try and change the way the BBC and BBC Worldwide operate. Currently BBC Worldwide is given the first refusal on all BBC productions, and only if the BBC Commercial Agency deem Worldwide’s bid too low do third parties then get the option to distribute the programme.

Fremantle executive Tony Cohen, speaking to the committee, said “We have very serious concerns about how BBC Worldwide is developing its operations. We would have liked to have bid for Strictly Come Dancing.” Fremantle believe that commercial operators should be on an equal footing when bidding to distribute programmes made by the in-house BBC Productions.

“It is time to end BBC Worldwide’s first right to the in-house programmes. This relationship is… …likely to under-represent the full value of the BBC‘s output. The distribution rights to BBC programmes and formats should be opened up for bidding across the commercial sector.” Cohen continued.

Fremantle also made it clear they feel the chief executive of BBC Worldwide should not be allowed to be part of the BBC’s board, and conversly BBC hiarachy should not be part of the BBC Worldwide boardroom. Fremantle believe the current cross-board staffing gives the corporation’s commerical arm privileged access to BBC planning.

Pact Chief Executive John McVay agreed with Fremantle: “The current system is offering the worst of both worlds. The BBC‘s commercial activities are exceeding their remit and running the risk of damaging the reputation of the BBC. At the same time they are providing no guarantee that they are maximising profits on behalf of the licence fee payer, and in our view are failing to do so.”