Rowen questions Minister on TV content funding

Paul Rowen, MP for Rochdale, questioned Ben Bradshaw MP, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in the House of Commons on funding for original UK television content.

Investment in original television content has declined by £340 million in the last 5 years.

When asked by Mr Rowen what steps the Government are taking to encourage funding in original content, Mr Bradshaw said the Digital Economy Bill currently passing through Parliament includes steps to encourage such funding, and also welcomed the BBC comment that its current review will include steps to boost investment in original content.

Mr Rowen pressed the Minister on whether he would consider using the Digital Economy Bill to repeal Contract Rights Renewal regulations, which have particularly penalised ITV.

The Minister said this couldn’t be done, but added that he felt sympathetic to the complaint and that ITV would be free to appeal the Competition Commission’s final verdict when it comes.

Mr Rowen said: “Producing TV programmes like Waterloo Road in Rochdale is important both for employment and for opportunities for young people to work in our creative industries.

"I’m disappointed that the Government have not found a way of getting rid of the Contract Rights Renewal regulations which have a marked effect on what Granada in our region is able to do.

"I look forward to the report Competition Commission’s report and I hope that the Government can find a way of boosting locally produced TV content.”