Commissioners to be based in Scotland for first time as Beeb answers

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Aug 24, 2008 | by Peter John Meiklem Media Correspondent

She said the BBC would follow a "production map" where Scotland would be asked to become a centre of excellence in children's programming, comedy, entertainment, factual and drama: "To make this sustainable we are trying to pick things Scotland is already very good at."

THE new commissioners will report to commissioning editors in London and managers in Scotland, with any differences of opinion to be settled in Scotland's favour, although the prospects for this arrangement might be met with scepticism at Pacific Quay. To ensure that the BBC makes progress towards its target, it will report to the BBC Trust on the issue each year.

David Strachan, managing director of independent producer Tern Television and chair of independent producers' association PACT's nations committee, said the changes were "most welcome".

Strachan said PACT had been looking for changes for 15 years but little had happened as the BBC had gone back on what it had promised in the past. He said: "It is hugely encouraging this time, they appear to be serious."

He said the changes would have a huge effect on both the broadcasting industry in Scotland and on viewer experience across the UK. He said: "Since we could only go so far making programmes on low budgets for just a Scottish audience, this will be a big improvement. As for viewers, they will now see the cultures and stories of all of the UK and not just the southeast of England."

He said he wasn't overly concerned that the new Scottish posts were to be commissioning executives and not the more senior commissioning editors, who have overall responsibility for buying programmes in a certain genre.

"This is about forming new relationships and seeking out new companies.

Often a commissioning editor doesn't have the time to form these new relationships, " he said.

Thomson added that the BBC had been working on the changes for some time but thanked the Scottish Broadcasting Corporation for "galvanising" it into action.

Blair Jenkins, chair of the SBC, said: "It is certainly a step in the right direction. One of the main things television producers have told us is that it is a struggle to get hold of commissioning editors in London. The mere fact of proximity helps."

Culture minister Fabiani pledged the Scottish government would "continue to monitor the activity of the BBC in Scotland to ensure these commitments are honoured and built on in the future".

She added: "I welcome the fact the BBC has been 'galvanised into action' by the activities of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission. I am sure the Commission's full report, due to be published in September, will provide further incentive to the BBC."