The BBC's drama, entertainment and children's departments (DEC) have nominated 31 UK post-production houses, including west London-based Clear Cut Pictures, Noho facility Suite and Manchester's Sumners as preferred suppliers for its post-production services.
The BBC's drama, entertainment and children's departments (DEC) have nominated 31 UK post-production houses, including west London-based Clear Cut Pictures, Noho facility Suite and Manchester's Sumners as preferred suppliers for its post-production services.

The list was whittled down from the 189 facilities which had previously been used by DEC through a tendering process.

It was announced to suppliers after meetings between the BBC's procurement division, four heads of production from DEC, UK Post and BBC controller of production resources Dorothy Pryor. A number of supplier forums were also held to discuss the BBC's strategy.

The list will be reviewed every quarter by the heads of production and procurement. Companies not on the list will still be considered for certain work 'if the business case justifies the decision', according to the BBC's head of sourcing, production resources, Jamie Hindhaugh.

The decision comes as part of the BBC's wider plan under director general Mark Thompson to make 15% cuts in budget across all departments and free up an extra £360m a year over the next three years.

Hindhaugh said the new list would encourage a more 'open and honest' relationship with its suppliers.

'It's not as scary as it sounds,' Hindhaugh added. 'This is a long-term, sustainable process to take out the costs [in the post-production process]. The aim is to engage with a group of suppliers on future technology requirements like HD and to improve the relationships between the BBC and post-production houses.'

Sumners managing director Andy Sumner said: 'In principle we're delighted, but I want to know how it's going to run. I'm still not quite sure what the success criteria will be. We still need to drill down a bit to see how this will work.'