Broadcaster agrees to cover Covid-19 costs - in return for more favourable terms

A row is brewing between a number of indies and the BBC over programming rights related to coronavirus.

The broadcaster is understood to have agreed to meet the additional production costs incurred due to Covid-19 protocols in certain instances but in return has requested greater back-end revenue, prompting concerns from suppliers.

Broadcast understands indie trade body Pact has raised the issue with the BBC and is waiting to hear back on the matter.

“For a publicly-funded BBC to use the pandemic to improve its commercial or rights position is iniquitous,” said one source.

“Indies are working hard to find ways to make shows and the BBC shouldn’t be seeking to leverage its position in this way.”

The BBC could be investing up to 30% more than usual in certain shows, according to estimates, as indies strive to comply with Public Health England’s comprehensive health and safety guidelines.

Additional costs are incurred due to lengthier filming times, the need to hire specific health co-ordinators and a range of other considerations.

A BBC spokeswoman said every arrangement is considered on a “case-by-case basis”.

“We are committed to sustaining the creative health of the industry, and we are supporting producers with the unavoidable impacts of Covid-19 - on a case-by-case basis - and in a way which is fair and sensible for both parties,” she added.

The spokeswoman highlighted the BBC’s five-point plan to support indies during the coronavirus crisis, which includes doubling its Small Indie Fund to £2m and expanding out-of-London creative partnerships.

“These measures are providing investment in purposeful activity and enabling production companies to continue a pipeline of quality ideas and programmes, in both the short and long term.”

Relations between the BBC and Pact appeared to have thawed with the agreement of a landmark terms of trade deal which broadly mirrored the trade body’s deal with Channel 4.

Under the terms the BBC received extensive iPlayer rights on the vast majority of shows in exchange for receiving less international sales revenue.

The deal ended months of bitter behind-closed-doors negotiations between the two parties.

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