Pact strikes new iPlayer deal with BBC
October 18, 2013
Pact has signed a new business framework agreement with the BBC.
A public focus of the agreement has been the extension of the use of indies’ programmes on the BBC iPlayer, from seven to 30 days. That aspect is one part of the Pact-BBC deal that has been agreed. Independent production companies will benefit under the new agreement in many ways.
John McVay, Chief Executive at Pact, commented: “The UK’s independent production companies now produce over 40 per cent of television content for the BBC – this is a good deal for the indies that will help UK creative companies to better exploit their programmes on other digital platforms and sustain the commercial success of the world’s most successful independent sector.”
Pact is currently agreeing an implementation date with the BBC and will notify its members. Also, Pact is working with the BBC to agree changes to the Programme Production Agreement – members will receive further information about this shortly.
Bal Samra, Commercial Director at the BBC, said: “We are delighted to have agreed this ground-breaking deal between the BBC, Pact and the independent sector, extending our partnership and providing new opportunities that will act as a digital catalyst for the whole industry. This deal will provide real value for licence-fee payers, as well as increased access to the BBC content they love, with more opportunities to watch BBC content for longer, find and buy digital programmes to keep, and discover gems from the BBC’s archive.”