News 2002

RDF Media's Chief Executive David Frank called for the television industry 'to grow up' when he delivered the keynote speech at the Production Show this morning.

Describing the production sector as being 'at a crossroads', Frank argued that the future prosperity of the industry lay with fewer, more powerful independent production companies with more control over their terms of trade with broadcasters.

Frank emphasised the key importance of the independent sector to British television suggesting that 'it is only through the growth of the independent sector that the public in this country can be guaranteed the range of programmes and the level of innovation that they have come to expect and demand'. But this could only be delivered if there is a truly competitive market for television content. 'There needs to be a regulator who ensures that the terms of trade set between indies and broadcasters is fair and reasonable. Minimum production fees, distribution rights, repeat fees, back-end shares could all be set in stone after consultation with both broadcasters and indies.'

Criticising a mentality in broadcasting that encourages commissioning from as many independent companies as possible, Frank said it has created 'an inefficient, fragmented sector'. Instead, he called for a sector led by 20-30 larger companies and a similar number of 'boutique outfits'.

Looking into the future, Frank predicted more power for producers who control key programme brands in the multi-channel world as there will be an increasing number of channels chasing the same programmes, and a closer relationship between suppliers and advertisers who he claims 'are already looking for better value-for-money from their television ad spend'.