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23 November 2009
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Quotas and Targets
This page will answer many of the frequently asked questions about our Quotas and Targets

e-Commissioning

Member of the public with ideas can get information here

Writers Room Link

Durations - don't make your programme too long for your slot - check programme and credit durations here

Interactive TV ideas are submitted to the normal genre teams

Q: What quotas and targets does BBC Television have to deliver ?

A: The BBC each year agrees the so called ‘Tier 2’ quotas with Ofcom. These quotas cover the following five topics:

the independent production quota
the regional production quota (i.e. concerning network programmes made outside the M25)
the levels of original production on each channel
the levels of news and current affairs on BBC ONE and BBC TWO
the levels and type of regional programming across BBC ONE and BBC TWO (i.e. local programming)

The BBC, ahead of launching the digital services, agreed a number of commitments for each channel with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

In accordance with the Television Without Frontiers Directive the BBC is also required to ensure that the majority of its output is European and that at least 10% is produced by European independents.

The BBC also publishes a number of commitments regarding Television output in its annual Statement of Programme Policy . These commitments include minimum levels of output for key genres on each channel.

All of these quotas and commitments are explained in more detail in the BBC’s Statement of Programme Policy ).

The BBC has also set ourselves internal minimum targets for network programmes from the regions of England (i.e. including production in Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester) and from the Nations (i.e. production in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

These commitments can be met by in-house or independent programmes. We make no pre-judgements on how the quotas or targets will be delivered. Primarily it is the quality of ideas that determines whether or not a proposal is commissioned.

Q: What is the regional production quota?

A: The BBC is committed to producing programmes for the network from the English Regions and the Nations (i.e. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). The agreed quotas for 2005 are that at least 30% of the qualifying spend and 25% of the qualifying hours are produced from outside London (i.e. using the M25 as the defined boundary).

Q: Which programmes qualify to be counted as regionally produced?

A: Ofcom has agreed the definitions of a regional production. In order to count towards the Regional Production quota, relevant productions must meet two out of the following three criteria:

(a) the production company must have a substantive business and production based outside the M25. A base will be taken to be substantive if it is the usual place of employment of executives managing the regional business, of senior personnel involved in the production in question, and of senior personnel involved in seeking programme commissions;

(b) at least 70% of the production budget (excluding the cost of on-screen talent, archive material and copyright costs) must be spent in the UK outside the M25; and

(c) at least 50% of the production talent (i.e. not on-screen talent) by cost must have their usual place of employment in the UK outside the M25. Ofcom have stipulated that freelancers without a usual place of employment outside the M25 will count for this purpose if they live outside the M25.

It is the responsibility of regional productions to ensure that they maintain adequate records regarding the above criteria as they may be subject to audit.

Q: What is the Independent Production quota?

A: We have the statutory quota commitment to ensure that 25% of our qualifying transmission hours are independently produced and that the profile of the 25% reflects the wide range and diversity of our programming. The 25% quota is applied across all of the television channels and services combined. From 2005 there are also separate 25% quotas for BBC ONE and BBC TWO.

Q: What makes an Independent Company Non-Qualifying (or ineligible) for the Independent Quota?

A: Some Independent Companies are ruled out of consideration in the calculation of the BBC achievement of the 25% quota because they are not deemed to be truly independent of Broadcasters.

The Broadcasting Act states that to be a Qualifying Independent, a Company must not:
a) be an employee of a broadcaster
b) have a shareholding greater than 25% in a broadcaster (unless the producer is based in the EEA and the broadcaster in which it has a shareholding is outside the EEA)
c) be the subject of a shareholding by a single UK broadcaster of more than 25% or by several UK broadcasters of more than 50%
d) be required by the contract to use the production facilities of the broadcaster or not to use the production facilities of some other broadcaster

Page Last Updated 29 February 2008

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