Giving region a deserved platform through television
RHODRI TALFAN DAVIES, Director of Nations for the BBC, says a new partnership between the corporation and the North East has got off to a flying start
WHEN the BBC last year announced its biggest investment in the North East in decades it felt like a defining moment for us as an organisation. A chance at last to really embrace the creative and storytelling genius of the region.
Our goal is to grow the creative sector here and to ensure we celebrate the stories and talents of the North East on screen right across the UK. The foundation-stone is already in place – a commitment by the BBC to spend at least £25m over the next five years, working closely with 12 local authorities and three mayoral local authorities to support the development of the production sector. We call it the North East Screen Investment Partnership (NESIP).
The plan for the North East is part of the BBC’s wider ‘Across the UK’ pledge which will see more money, jobs and power being distributed across the country – out beyond the M25. It has to be right that the economic benefits of the licence fee are spread more equitably across the UK, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to tell new stories with new storytellers.
With the regional partnership in place, our focus now is developing a pipeline of programmes from the North East with a real sense of place – and we’re off to a flyer.
Already we’re seeing new production companies building their creative bases in the region. Brightonbased company Middle Child have expanded into the North East setting up Northern Child, based in Newcastle. They are making a programme for us called Northern Justice.
TwentySix03 are setting up an office in Gateshead and Fulwell73 have established a new home in Sunderland. We’re confident others will follow too.
We’re not short of good programme ideas too – and that’s given the whole project real early momentum. Since we signed the new partnership, the BBC has announced six new programme commissions which are already filming in the North East. It includes a new documentary series with James Arthur for BBC Three that’s going to be filmed in his home town of Middlesbrough, and Scarlett’s Driving School for BBC One with – of course – Scarlett Moffatt which is currently filming in Teesside.
Look out too for Robson Green’s Dirty Weekends – which is set exclusively in the North East against the backdrop of some of the UK’s most stunning scenery. The series will see Robson and some of his famous friends get stuck into some good, clean fun, as he celebrates everything that’s great about the region.
We also want to ensure the region is a real crucible for new creative talent both in front of and behind the microphone.
Last month, for example, we held the BBC’s first City of Comedy Festival in Newcastle – a three day event to find new talent in the region with panels, workshops and screenings with huge talent like Romesh Ranganathan, Stephen Merchant, and Holly Walsh. Behind the camera, we’re also providing opportunities for local trainees on BBC productions including The Dumping Ground and Scarlett’s Driving School.
There are new opportunities beyond television too as we reshape the BBC for the digital age. We’re determined to tap into the region’s strong reputation in the tech industries and, over the coming months, we’ll be creating 70 new digital and engineering jobs at our BBC Newcastle base. We’re working closely with the North of Tyne Mayor on this project and we’re currently recruiting the first ten roles.
It’s terrific to see such quick progress on our plans, and there’s plenty more to come. In this, the BBC’s centenary year, this is an opportunity to open an exciting new chapter in North East programme-making, and to ensure this region’s voice is heard loud and clear across the country.
“It has to be right that the economic benefits of the licence fee are spread more equitably across the UK, but it’s also an exciting opportunity to tell new stories with new storytellers