Written evidence from Waddell Media Ltd
COMPANY BACKGROUND
1. Waddell Media is one of the oldest and
largest television production companies in Northern Ireland having
been formed in 1988 by Brian Waddell, former Director of Programmes
at Ulster Television.
2. The company has grown over the years,
employing 60 staff and freelance operatives in 2007.
DEVELOPMENT
In its first decade the company supplied programmes
mainly to the Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland markets
while attempting to get a foothold in UK broadcasting networks,
but apart from one of two programmes commissioned by BBC1 and
Channel 4 all efforts to break into the UK markets have failed.
1. Determined to build and expand, the company
turned its attention to the international market, particularly
in the United States where it has been successful in gaining commissions
from several digital channels like Discovery and National Geographic.
2. This market is expanding rapidly which
has led the company to open an office in New York in order to
keep in daily contact with the US networks.
3. Unlike their British counterparts US
commissioners have no problem in placing orders with producers
from Northern Ireland.
4. Our experience and broadcasting skills
means that we are coming up with innovative concepts that are
produced to the highest standard using cutting edge technology
and very professional operatives.
5. If we can produce for the US market why
is it not possible to get commissions from London-based broadcasters?
CURRENT STATE
OF INDUSTRY
IN NORTHERN
IRELAND
— The most recent Northern Ireland
production figures for UK networks are appalling.
— In 2007 the BBC commissioned 0.2%
from the Province. The Channel 4 figure was 0.1% while ITV and
Five commissioned nothing whatsoever.
— We appreciate that this failure of
major British broadcasters to commission outside the London area
is not confined to Northern Ireland. Other `nations' throughout
the UK have suffered from the same problem, but not to the same
extent.
— We believe there is now an opportunity
for change if measures are put in place to hold the broadcasters
to their commitments and promises.
For its PSB programming (other than news) Ofcom
has set ITV a figure of 35% to be delivered by producers outside
London.
The figure is similar for Channel 4 but it is
being required by Ofcom to take only 3% of production from the
combined resources of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
We believe this figure should be for Northern
Ireland alone.
The BBC has set itself a target for independent
production of 17% by 2016 with 3% being produced in the Province.
This target date should to be brought forward
to 2012.
What we now need is a mechanism to ensure that
the broadcasters deliver on the targets that have been imposed
or self established.
We are currently seeing the contribution that
is being made to the economy through film production that is being
attracted to the Province through Northern Ireland Screen.
If the BBC alone achieved its target of 3%
network production out of Northern Ireland the local industry
would benefit from an injection of around £30m per year.
These commissions would change the viability
of independent television production here very quickly with a
marked increase in employment and contribution to the economy.
1 May 2009
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