UKTV opens Drama door to originals

UKTV is to begin ordering original commissions for its Drama channel following its substantial viewership gains in the past few years.  

The channel recorded its best year on record in 2021 as it grew its adult share by 11%.   

Speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival yesterday, UKTV chief executive Marcus Arthur pointed to the success of The Sister Boniface Mysteries acquisition which aired in March of this year, which drew in an audience of 1.3m (6%) after 28 days, becoming the first drama to break 1m views on the channel. 

Drama commissioner Philippa Collie-Cousins will begin ordering original drama ideas to compliment Drama’s output, which also includes Last Of The Summer Wine and Father Brown.  

“Drama is the biggest non-PSB channel, it gets an average share of about 2.7%,” Arthur said.   

“If you have drama ideas for ITV3, come and share them with us for Drama because you’ll get more people watching.”  

UKTV’s scripted head Pete Thornton added that ideas should have a similar tone to Boniface Mysteries, Call the Midwife and Channel 5’s All Creatures Great and Small.  

“We know what that audience likes and generally it’s warm, heartfelt drama. We’re not going to stray too far from that,” he said.   

Thornton added that ideally series should be returnable, and showcase unique, picturesque locations.  

“A smattering of wit is welcome to coincide with the warmth - stories that teach us something and take us on a journey,” he said. “We want that audience to dive in and have a rich experience on drama.”  

The move is the latest push in UKTV to expand its scripted output, after director of commissioning Richard Watsham previously revealed that he is looking to order a drama on Dave.  

“The purpose of drama on Dave is to broaden the brand,” said Thornton. “We want to offer something that’s satisfying and punchy.”  

He said that Dave dramas would likely require additional funding via a distribution partner or co-production partners.  

Looming threats  

Reflecting on the industry more widely, Arthur warned of the looming threat of an advertising recession.  

“Nobody at the festival is pointing towards an ad recession that will almost inevitably arise,” he said.

“We don’t want to talk it up and talk ourselves into it, but when you have audiences who are choosing between food and electricity, things are going to get tough next year. That’s what I’m worrying about.”

With the next prime minister yet to be announced, Arthur was also quizzed about Channel 4’s impending privatisation.  

Arthur reminded the audience that the BBC Studios-owned UKTV has an exclusive advertising sales agreement with Channel 4. 

“My preference is, no matter what happens, that our ad sales stay with Channel 4,” he said.  

He added that Channel 4’s original purpose to strengthen the indie community.  

“Most of the content we commission is from the open marketplace,” he said. “I can’t see it being positive for UKTV at all if the strength of the community goes away as a result of being privatised. My view would be that [Channel 4] works as it is.”