As the BBC moves to expand its audio production capabilities through BBC Studios, a shift slated for completion by April 2024, independent audio production firms are voicing significant concerns. The move has prompted AudioUK, the trade body for these independent companies, to call for a thorough investigation and a leveling of the playing field.
The BBC’s entry into the audio production sector means it will compete with independent firms in creating content, including podcasts, for other commissioners such as Amazon, Audible, and Wondery. This sector was largely built by creative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) over the last 20 years.
But the BBC’s move isn’t just about competition. It’s fundamentally about the potential misuse of public funds. The BBC’s expansion essentially moves a production arm built with public funding into the commercial market, which raises regulatory questions that have not been effectively scrutinized.
Ofcom, the UK’s communication regulator, approved the BBC’s move but its focus was solely on maintaining a level playing field when BBC Studios competes against production companies for BBC commissions. It didn’t address the broader market implications of the BBC’s move.
AudioUK is therefore urging for a review of the wider market implications of the BBC’s expansion. Specifically, the organization is advocating for all of BBC Radio and Audio’s non-news programme commissions, including BBC Sounds, to be open to competition for external producers.
Currently, there is 100% competition for BBC TV programmes. In audio commissioning, however, the BBC must open up only 60% of ‘eligible hours’ in its network radio commissions to external competition by the end of this year. This lower target was set based on the fact that much of the BBC’s radio and audio production remained in-house and they could not make programmes for other buyers.
Chloe Straw, Managing Director of AudioUK, expressed disappointment that the BBC has not taken their concerns on board and pledged to continue to advocate for a review of the wider market implications of these plans with the relevant governmental and regulatory authorities.
Straw also reiterated AudioUK’s belief that this move should be accompanied by creative SMEs all around the UK being given the opportunity to compete for 100% of BBC audio non-news output. The BBC’s expansion into audio production threatens to disrupt a sector built by the hard work and creativity of these SMEs. It’s only fair that they be given a fighting chance.
URLs:
BBC – www.bbc.co.uk
AudioUK – www.audiouk.org.uk
Amazon – www.amazon.com
Audible – www.audible.com
Wondery – www.wondery.com
Ofcom – www.ofcom.org.uk
BBC Sounds – www.bbc.co.uk/sounds
https://podnews.net/press-release/audiouk-bbc-studios