The UK spends more on new quality television programmes than any other country in the world, a new report has found, writes Leigh Holmwood.

The UK spends more on new quality television programmes than any other country in the world, a new report has found, writes Leigh Holmwood.

The report, commissioned by the BBC from consultants Oliver and Ohlbaum Associates, says the UK invests $75 per head on television shows compared to $65 in the US, $52 in Germany and $43 in France.

UK homegrown investment in content is estimated at£3.2bn a year, with the BBC providing 40% of this. ITV, Channel 4 and Five account for 43% with pay-TV injecting 3%.

The survey also found that three quarters of UK television content is home grown compared to only 20% in the UK film industry.

However, in a shot across the government's bough in the licence fee debate, the report warned that investment in domestic television production could drop by 60p per pound for every£1 reduction in the BBC's public funding.

"The presence of a well-financed, publicly-funded broadcaster - the BBC - has helped ensure that each commercial TV channel needs to invest significant amounts in new content to protect its audience share," the report said.

"Far from crowding out investment in domestic programming by commercial TV, the BBC may well encourage such investment."