INTRODUCTION PRODUCTION 100


SURVEY


IWC’s Location Location Location


Element’s Normal People


partners through these challenges and undergone them together,” says Outline. Raw, meanwhile, says that


broadcasters have been “amazing, supportive and realistic” to the challenges and financial impact which production companies have faced, citing Netflix and Discovery in particular. Kudos, meanwhile, picks out Sky and the BBC for being particularly collaborative and supportive. “We have had to invent new ways of working and solutions to new challenges, and have done it hand in hand with each of the broadcasters.” Collective Media Group says


that relationships with international broadcasters and SVODs (and to a lesser degree UK broadcasters) have been “much easier to build where interaction can happen over Zoom meetings rather than expensive international trips to pitch.” Not all are so complimentary


about broadcaster clients. Some say they have lent a sympathetic ear, but this hasn’t been reflected in delivery deadlines being extended or budgets being increased enough to take account of Covid-19 costs.


RISING COSTS In fact, costs have emerged as a real bugbear in this year’s Production 100. Not all budgets have risen to take into


account the 10-20% in production costs that shows have incurred as a result of Covid-19 protocols, delays and additional work. “Covid safety costs including


testing and PPE have led to budget increases on jobs already in production before Covid-19 hit, and [we’ve been] unable to get overages from the broadcasters in many instances,” says Pulse Films. “Budgets are more challenging


than ever,” says Outline. “Some broadcasters have been brilliant and really helped with the costs of Covid, while others have put all this financial uncertainty and pressure onto the indie – which is very tough and stressful to bear.” “Our budgets have certainly


suffered, having to factor in quarantining and testing both in this country and on the overseas shoots,” says Off the Fence.


BUDGET SQUEEZE Even without additional Covid costs, producers say budgets for PSB broadcasters in particular have been squeezed, either as a result of falling ad revenues at commercial channels or funding freezes at the BBC. Many say they need to bring in third party funding to get budgets to an acceptable level. “The continuing reduction in budgets is making some projects unworkable,” says Back2Back. Rondo


Autumn 2021 P06


PRODUCER TURNOVER


£1.9BN


£ turnover of the top 100 producers


MEDIAN PRODUCER £10.4M


Turnover of the median producer in the Production 100


adds that budgets for UK commissions “haven’t increased to keep pace and compete with the newer SVODs.” Others think that there may be


fewer commissioning opportunities in 2021/22 as broadcaster have had to reschedule so many series that have not been able to deliver for broadcast – dramas especially. Many say that squeezed budgets


and rising costs have hit margins, making it harder to keep people on staff and assist their career development, and to invest in new ideas – whether optioning a book or commissioning a script. “Broadcasters have to recognise that unsustainable tariffs will backfire,” says one indie. “People will leave the industry.”


televisual.com


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