Wolf Hall Director Peter Kosminsky Declares British TV Industry in Crisis

British TV Faces “Existential Crisis” as Funding Dries Up: Could a Streaming Levy Save the Day?

Updated May 16, 2024

Acclaimed director Peter kosminsky and other industry leaders warn that British television is facing a dire funding crisis, potentially jeopardizing the production of high-quality dramas. They propose a controversial solution: a levy on streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime. But is this a viable option, or will it spark a transatlantic trade war?

The Canary in the Coal Mine: “Wolf hall” Nearly Scuttled

Peter Kosminsky, the director behind the award-winning ancient drama Wolf Hall, has revealed the precarious state of British television. Speaking on BBC Two’s Newsnight, Kosminsky explained that the second series, filmed last year, Wolf Hall: The Mirror and The Light was almost shelved weeks before filming due to budget constraints.

To salvage the project, Kosminsky and his team were forced to make drastic cuts. We eventually opted to axe costly exterior scenes…meaning almost everything…became conversations in rooms instead. This decision, while allowing the series to be completed, highlights a deeper problem: public service broadcasters like the BBC and ITV are struggling to compete with the deep pockets of streaming services.

Kosminsky isn’t alone in sounding the alarm. Patrick Spence, the executive producer of Mr. Bates vs the Post office, a recent ITV drama that gripped the nation, echoed Kosminsky’s concerns.Spence told the BBC that not only would Mr.Bates struggle to get funding today, but he wouldn’t even have started developing it. This sentiment underscores the chilling effect the funding crisis is having on the types of stories being told on british television.

The Culprits: Rising Costs and Drying Funding Streams

Several factors are contributing to the escalating costs of TV production. the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes, and increased energy costs have all played a role. Though, many in the industry believe that the entry of streaming platforms into the market has dramatically inflated prices, leaving traditional broadcasters in the dust.

Sir Alan bates, the former subpostmaster whose story was at the heart of Mr. Bates vs the Post Office, expressed his dismay at the prospect of these dramas no longer being made. He said it would be a real shame if such stories were silenced, as his program meant a lot of people saw for the first time the sort of hell going on in the background in the Post Office, the real miscarriage of justice going on right across the country.

Spence further elaborated that international funding models, once a reliable source of revenue for these types of shows, have largely dried up. He cited his upcoming ITV drama, The Hack, about the phone hacking scandal, written by Adolescence writer jack thorne, as an example, stating there was no way he could raise the money to fund that program now.

Contributing Factors to the Funding Crisis	Impact
COVID-19 Pandemic	Production delays, increased safety protocols, higher insurance costs.
2023 Hollywood Strikes	Disruptions to production schedules, increased competition for talent, higher writer and actor fees.
Rising energy Costs	Increased overhead for studios and on-location shoots.
Streaming Platform Inflation	Aggressive bidding wars for talent and content, driving up overall production costs.
Decline in International Funding	Reduced financial support for British dramas, making it harder to secure necesary budgets.

The Proposed Solution: A Streaming Levy

Kosminsky’s proposed solution is a 5% levy on UK subscription streaming revenues.He argues that these funds should be collected and used to support a British cultural fund, similar to models already in place in countries like France and Denmark. This, he believes, would level the playing field and ensure that public service broadcasters can continue to produce high-quality, culturally relevant content.

However, this proposal is not without its challenges. The majority of streaming giants are based in the U.S., which raises the question of whether the UK government is willing to take on potential pushback from Washington. In February, a White House memorandum labeled levies on US streaming services as one-sided, anti-competitive policies that violate American sovereignty.

This stance suggests that the U.S. government would likely view a UK streaming levy as a protectionist measure and could retaliate with trade sanctions or other economic measures. This potential for a transatlantic trade dispute adds another layer of complexity to the debate.

We are in the 45th minute of the pilot episode, and we’ve got five minutes left to stop the bomb from going off.

Jayne Featherstone, executive producer of Netflix’s Black Doves

On Thursday, Jayne Featherstone, executive producer of netflix’s “Black Doves,” accepted an award from the Broadcasting Press guild and warned that the UK was at risk of losing the very stories that define us. She would like an uplift in tax relief for high-end television,similar to the one already given to the film sector,she recently told a House of Commons committee.

Country	Streaming Levy/Tax	Purpose
France	Tax on streaming services’ revenue	Funds audiovisual production and supports French culture
denmark	Levy on streaming platforms	Supports the production of Danish content and cultural initiatives
Canada	Bill C-11 (Online Streaming Act)	Requires streaming platforms to contribute to the creation and promotion of Canadian content

American Implications and Perspectives

While the crisis currently centers on British television, the underlying issues resonate deeply within the American media landscape. The rise of streaming services has disrupted traditional broadcasting models in the U.S. as well, leading to increased competition for viewers and a shift in content creation strategies.The potential for a streaming levy in the UK could set a precedent that other countries, including the U.S., might consider.

However, the political climate in the U.S. makes the implementation of such a levy highly unlikely in the near future. Concerns about government regulation and the potential for increased costs for consumers would likely face strong opposition from both the streaming industry and certain political factions.

Instead, the U.S. is more likely to explore alternative solutions, such as tax incentives for domestic content creation and public-private partnerships to support independent film and television productions. The debate in the UK serves as a valuable case study for the U.S., highlighting the challenges of adapting to the evolving media landscape and the importance of preserving cultural diversity in content creation.

The Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers Guild of America (WGA) have been battling for fair compensation and residuals from streaming services. This fight highlights the tension between the established entertainment industry and the new streaming giants.

Conclusion: A Fight for Cultural Identity

The funding crisis facing british television is more than just a financial matter; it’s a fight for cultural identity. The ability to tell uniquely British stories is at risk, and the future of public service broadcasting hangs in the balance. While the proposed streaming levy is a controversial solution,it underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for innovative approaches to ensure the survival of a vital cultural institution.

As Jayne Featherstone poignantly stated, We are in the 45th minute of the pilot episode, and we’ve got five minutes left to stop the bomb from going off. The clock is ticking, and the decisions made in the coming months will determine the fate of British television for generations to come.

What specific measures could the British government implement to support public service broadcasters and ensure the continued production of high-quality British television programming?

British TV Funding Crisis: An Interview with Director Eleanor Ainsworth

Updated May 16, 2024

Archyde News editor interviews Eleanor Ainsworth, a prominent director in the British television industry, about the ongoing funding crisis and the potential solutions being discussed.

The Crisis in British Television: A Conversation

Archyde News: Eleanor, thanks for joining us. The British TV landscape seems to be facing an “existential crisis.” As a director, can you shed some light on what’s happening?

Eleanor Ainsworth: Certainly. The situation is incredibly challenging. We’re seeing a real squeeze, and it’s impacting everything from budgets to the kinds of stories we can tell. The rising costs of production, coupled with a decline in conventional funding, have created quite a perfect storm.

Funding Woes and Production Challenges

Archyde News: The article mentions several factors contributing to this, including the pandemic, strikes, and rising energy costs. Are these the main culprits, in your view?

Eleanor Ainsworth: Absolutely. The pandemic caused significant delays and added new layers of expense with safety protocols. the strikes had a definite impact. But let’s be clear: the entry of streaming platforms and their deep pockets into the market has dramatically inflated production costs,leaving public service broadcasters struggling to compete.

Archyde News: So, is it a case of the streamers outbidding everyone?

Eleanor Ainsworth: Essentially, yes. They can offer bigger salaries,faster turnaround times,and more complex set builds,and also,higher distribution rights. They can also swallow losses on the initial production, in order to drive user engagement . This makes it extraordinarily difficult for traditional broadcasters to compete, especially for talent.

The Streaming Levy Proposal: A Viable Solution?

Archyde News: One solution proposed is a levy on streaming services. What are your thoughts on this?

Eleanor Ainsworth: It’s a complex issue. On the one hand, a levy could provide a much-needed revenue stream to support British content. The idea is to create a cultural fund, similar to models in France and Denmark.On the other hand, there’s the political fallout. The US government is unlikely to welcome such a move, and it could lead to trade disputes.

Archyde News: we have seen in the news, that the U.K, might be stepping away from this option.

Eleanor Ainsworth: Yes, it is a difficult option, as it would affect US broadcasters.I believe the Government is having a hard time choosing.

The Potential Impact on British Storytelling

Archyde news: What’s at stake if this funding crisis isn’t resolved? what are we at risk of losing?

Eleanor Ainsworth: It’s a genuine worry. We risk losing the very stories that define us.British television has always been known for its high-quality dramas, social commentary, and unique perspectives. If we can’t fund these productions, we’ll see fewer of them, and our cultural landscape will suffer.

Archyde News: And how does talent fit into this? Are people considering taking their skills elsewhere?

Eleanor Ainsworth: Sadly, some are. The funding crunch incentivises people to try and get work in platforms that will provide more security and opportunity. The best talent will always find a way, but we risk losing the emerging talent, the next generation of writers, directors, and actors that has not been fully formed yet.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Action

Archyde News: What are your thoughts on the next steps? What can be done?

Eleanor Ainsworth: A multi-pronged approach is needed. We need to explore new funding models but also look at tax relief for high-end television, as has been proposed.Collaborations, as always, are significant, and looking for ways to work with international partners.Most importantly,we need a clear,long-term strategy,and a commitment to public service broadcasting.

Archyde News: It sounds like the time to act is right now.

Eleanor Ainsworth: Absolutely. We are, as another colleague put it, in the 45th minute of the pilot, and there’s a bomb to be defused. The decisions we make now will determine the fate of British television and the stories we tell for a long time. We have to act with a great deal of urgency.

Archyde News: Thank you for sharing your insights,Eleanor. It’s a critical issue, and we appreciate your expertise.

Eleanor Ainsworth: Thank you for having me.

Final Thoughts For Our Readers

Archyde News: Now, for our readers, what do you think are the most promising solutions to this crisis? Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!