Category Archives: Tax incentives

The state of the UK film and TV economy

Posted on February 6, 2023 by Paul Evans

I occasionally get asked for updates on the general state of the UK film and TV sector, and I can usually reply offering a few links which general readers may find useful. My first, and most current link would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture policy, Economics, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Low budget features, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, TV Advertising, UK studios | Tagged , | Leave a comment

UK independent productions, the inflation punch-in-the-mouth, and the very European remedies.

Posted on October 10, 2022 by Paul Evans

The boxer, Mike Tyson, was once asked about his plan for a fight and he answered; “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Economists have a variation on that line: “Everyone has a plan until inflation … Continue reading →

Posted in EU & Brexit, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Low budget features, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Demand for UK studio space v Netflix subscriber drop

Posted on April 21, 2022 by Paul Evans

Two stories passing each other in this week’s newspapers. Firstly, a good fact-packed briefing from The Times [£] on how demand for studio space is multiplying at the moment, to meet the demands of SVoD productions: “UK production spend is … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry data, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Skills shortages in film & TV – update

Posted on March 16, 2022 by Paul Evans

There’s a useful roundup in the i-Paper showing the scale of the studio expansion and growing physical production capacity that the UK has, in contrast to the roster of available skills which will leave an estimated “40,000 workers needed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Quotas, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Shepperton update: Now Prime Video have agreed a deal.

Posted on February 9, 2022 by Paul Evans

Further to a recent post here about Shepperton (which outlined the way that Netflix were treating the studio as it’s UK production base), The Pinewood Group (Shepperton’s owners) have today confirmed that the new facilities under development will be given … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Production growing in the nations and regions

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Paul Evans

Back in September, I posted here about The Pact Census (as carried out by Oliver and Ohlbaum). I’ve been meaning to pull out something about the impact on regional production from that for a while. So here goes. Pact chose … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Skills & capacity, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , | Leave a comment

BBC funding statment from the VLV

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Paul Evans

The Voice of the Listener and Viewer has published the following Briefing note and press release in response to yesterday’s BBC funding settlement.The briefing includes the claim that, on current projections, the BBC will be in deficit by between approximately … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Film & TV industry policy, Politics, Public Service Broadcasting, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives, The Conservative Party | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Round up – production in the UK

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Paul Evans

Anyone looking for a good roundup of the UK production landscape – investments, studios, facilities, etc, may find this article in KFTV useful. A lot of it has been covered here already, though I’m aware I need to post more … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged | Leave a comment

BFI Screen Business report details the scale of the UK production boom

Posted on December 15, 2021 by Paul Evans

Anyone who has any doubts about the size and scale of the UK production boom can have a look at the latest BFI Screen Business report (if the annual Pact Census most recently published in September wasn’t convincing enough!). The … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Economics, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

A distinctly British focus for TV programmes

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Paul Evans

David Tennant has been questioning some of the arguments around demands for ‘distinctly British programmes (or ‘lovely jubbly telly‘ as John Whittingdale didn’t say recently). “Is there some inherent criticism within this plea for more Britishness?” he said in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity of representation, EU & Brexit, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Working terms in Swedish productions

Posted on November 29, 2021 by Paul Evans

It’s always worth looking at how other countries do work hours in the film and TV industry, and it is a commonplace view that the Swedish drama sector manages a high quality of production on working hours that also give … Continue reading →

Posted in Bectu Agreements, Employment Law and Rights, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Health & Safety, High End TV data, Long hours, Major Motion Picture Agreement, Productivity, SVoD, Tax incentives, Trades Unions, TV Drama Agreement, Work-life balance | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

French cultural policy

Posted on October 14, 2021 by Paul Evans

France has always had an interesting, and different approach to cultural policy to the UK’s equivalent. In thinking about this last night, I remembered this 2013 document [pdf] from the Coalition Francaise and I thought I’d bookmark it here. This … Continue reading →

Posted in Copyright & Intellectual Property, Culture policy, Diversity of representation, Film & TV industry policy, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Tax incentives | Tagged , | Leave a comment

France places new obligations on video-on-demand providers

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

From the European Audiovisual Observatory: “In future, VOD services must devote at least 20% of the turnover they generate in France to the funding of European or French cinematographic and audiovisual production. The proportion is increased to 25% for services … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture policy, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Free database of legal developments in the Europen audiovisual sector

Posted on September 23, 2021 by Paul Evans

This one is probably only useful to massive geeks (hi!) but I’m telling you about it anyway just in case you find it useful. The European Audiovisual Observatory maintains a database of legal developments in all key areas, all key … Continue reading →

Posted in Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , | Leave a comment

French windows (excuse the pun)

Posted on September 20, 2021 by Paul Evans

There are a few posts up here about how content regulation drives investment into film and TV, how the AVMS Directive is translated into national legislation and regulations, and on the general armoury that national governments have to shape the … Continue reading →

Posted in Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Streaming demand for UK shows will create 30,000 film and TV jobs”

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

This, from today’s Guardian. But, as Head of Bectu, Phillipa Childs, says on Twitter.… “with a shortage of crew it’s important that the industry invests in training, development, safeguarding and well-being to attract diverse talent and bring the best of … Continue reading →

Posted in Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, Skills & capacity, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Is UK audiovisual content about to hit a perfect storm?

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

I’d suggest that there is an emerging picture of where UK production is likely to head in the next few years, and it’s one that should worry us – particularly from the point of view of cultural diversity (which is … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

How AVMS applies in every EU country

Posted on September 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Audio Visual Media Services (AVMS) Directive, like all EU Directives, is translated into national legislation and regulation by the member states concerned. The European Audiovisual Observatory tracks all of this on this table here. (H/T Carole Tongue for the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry policy, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Cultural Diversity is not just about limiting discrimination – it’s an economic and industrial factor

Posted on September 10, 2021 by Paul Evans

It’s worth bookmarking Unesco’s Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions here. This is an important global statement on the need for cultural expressions to be produced, distributed, and owned ‘locally’ (in the Nations and … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Disability equality, Diversity of representation, Economics, Equality, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Gender equality, Gender representation, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Race equality, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios, Wealth inequality | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Study on financial investment obligations placed on VOD providers in Europe.

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Paul Evans

This, from Dr Marlen Komorowski of Cardiff University for the The Media & Society Programme of SMIT. It looks at the way VOD providers are subject to various financial investment obligations (one of the key forms of regulation and incentive … Continue reading →

Posted in EU & Brexit, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Pact Census 2021 published

Posted on September 8, 2021 by Paul Evans

One of the biggest, and most useful info-dumps about UK TV production has landed today with the publication of the Oliver and Ohlbaum / Pact Census (which is also published alongside a briefing on the impact of Covid this year). … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, Post-production, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Theatre Tax Relief paid out £74 million to 3,660 productions last year

Posted on August 27, 2021 by Paul Evans

According to The Stage [£]… “This represents a £3 million increase on the figure paid out in 2019/20, which was £71 million, and comes amid calls for the tax credit to be increased to help the sector recover after the … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation & VFX, Culture policy, EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax, Tax incentives, Theatre and Live Events data | Tagged | Leave a comment

More stats on the impact of the creative sector on the wider economy

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Further to this post about the Creative Industries Federation report, here are more stats on the (potential) contribution to the UK economy from the creative sector. The Creative UK Group projects that the creative industries can create 300,000 new jobs … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Regulation, Skills & capacity, Tax incentives | Tagged | Leave a comment

LoTR >> NZ 2 UK

Posted on August 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

The Guardian and BBC are both reporting that Amazon Studios are moving their Lord of The Rings TV series production to the UK and away from New Zealand, and that tax incentive appears to play a big part in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, SVoD, Tax incentives, UK studios | Tagged , | Leave a comment

How cultural regulation drives investment

Posted on August 3, 2021 by Paul Evans

Carole Tongue of UKCCD has been in touch with a reminder for how we can regulate streaming platforms for increased investment in British drama/film and documentary. It gives guidance on what the Canadian broadcasting regulator should consider when addressing cultural … Continue reading →

Posted in Diversity of representation, Feature film data, High End TV data, Quotas, Regulation, Tax incentives | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

UK Restart Scheme funds $2.6 in productions

Posted on July 31, 2021 by Paul Evans

U.K.’s Film and TV Production Restart Scheme Results in $2.6 Billion Worth of Productions https://t.co/TuOJyoHxx2 — Variety (@Variety) July 28, 2021

Posted in Coronavirus, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Tax incentives | Tagged | Leave a comment

British content projecting Britain

Posted on July 26, 2021 by Paul Evans

I’ll be posting more on this in the coming weeks, but there are some very big concerns circulating even in Conservative circles about the potential damage that the UK could sustain due to changes in the film and TV industry. … Continue reading →

Posted in Animation & VFX, BBC, Coronavirus, Coronavirus, Culture policy, EU & Brexit, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives, The Conservative Party, UK studios | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Regulation and Policy related to audiovisual works – an overview.

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

These are my notes on a presentation from Maja Cappello – Head of Department for Legal Information – ‘European Audiovisual Observatory on Regulation and Policy related to theatrical and non-theatrical production.’ There are two initial key questions when we think about … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

European Audiovisual Observatory industry stats handbooks

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

European Audiovisual Observatory 2020-2021 Key Trends [PDF] World Film Market Trends (coming soon – here) Previous editions are here.

Posted in EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Regulation, Skills & capacity, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged | Leave a comment

Huge growth in Netflix investment in European scripted production

Posted on July 13, 2021 by Paul Evans

Netflix has now become the largest single commissioner of new European Scripted content, surpassing both the BBC and ZDF in terms of number of new show commissions across Western & Central Europe in 2020. Read @tvintelligence latest insight here: https://t.co/ai3VXQMVPo … Continue reading →

Posted in BBC, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged | Leave a comment

European TV markets, post Brexit

Posted on July 5, 2021 by Paul Evans

The number of TV channels based in the UK halves post-Brexit but the UK remains leading AV market in Europe – @EuAvObservatory's public report for all to review here: https://t.co/k8mw01EoaA — UKCCD (@UKCCD1) July 2, 2021  

Posted in EU & Brexit, Factual & Entertainment sector data, Film & TV industry data, Film & TV industry policy, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, SVoD, Tax incentives | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Streaming channels investing largely in European production

Posted on June 16, 2021 by Paul Evans

Alex Barker at the FT[££] is reporting on the tide of investment in local content that SVOD is generating. in 2020, more than 60% of Netflix’s exclusive TV/films were made outside the English-speaking world and recent research has more than … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture policy, Feature film data, Film & TV industry data, High End TV data, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, SVoD, Tax incentives | Leave a comment

RTÉ underspend on independent production.

Posted on June 14, 2021 by Paul Evans

The spend by RTÉ, the Irish public service broadcaster, on independent productions last year fell €3.7m short of its €40.2m statutory target due to the Covid-19 pandemic impact. This is worth noting because it’s another example of broadcast quotas, albeit … Continue reading →

Posted in Film & TV industry policy, Public Service Broadcasting, Quotas, Tax incentives | Tagged , , | Leave a comment