The British film and television industries

Book excerpt: This is the first report from the House of Lords Select Committee on Communications of the 2009-10 session (HLP 37-I, ISBN 9780108459290) and examines "The British film and television industries - decline or opportunity?". The report looks at how these industries have developed, the challenges they are currently facing and what practical help might be provided to enable them to develop further. The film and television industries make an important contribution to the British economy. They contribute to national income and employment, and make a net contribution to exports, which has the capacity to grow. Despite the competition from abroad, particularly the US, UK-produced content on film and television has a strong international reputation and makes a major contribution to the entertainment and education of British audiences. The publication is divided into 6 chapters and looks in detail at the following areas: Chapter 1: The British film industry; Chapter 2: A better future for British films; Chapter 3: British television; Chapter 4: Promoting British television; Chapter 5: Skills and training. With Chapter 6 setting out recommendations, including, in respect of television: that the Government should urge public service broadcasters to revive their investment in training; encourage the expansion of online video on demand; promote greater production of UK TV content by a tax credit or through the use of the proceeds of spectrum sale and sharing part of the BBC licence fee; expand the role played by BBC Worldwide in distributing UK content overseas. Recommendations in respect of film, include: new legislation specifically targeted at making the recording of a film in a cinema by camcorder a criminal offence; provide more support to smaller films and allowing British films to be partly shot abroad without suffering a financial penalty; encourage more private investment in film production. For Vol. 2, Evidence, see (ISBN 9780108459306).