The Stage

BBC launches Vision commissioning unit

Published Monday 20 November 2006 at 16:45 by Liz Thomas

BBC Vision, the new integrated broadcast and production group that replaces the old linear Corporation structure, officially launched today.

Director of Vision Jana Bennett said that the new format provided a “one-stop shop” for commissioning across platforms and added that programming would need to work on the web, mobile phone and new interactive technologies.

She explained: “Our creative purpose is to deliver great programmes and great content to all our audiences. The future will still be a place where audiences value great storytelling, elegant structure, high production values - all the traditional strengths of BBC programme makers. But at the same time we need to develop fresh ways of thinking and using technology. There are incredible opportunities in this new world if we can only organise ourselves to seize those opportunities and make them work for our audiences.”

The name Vision was selected because it will make the content that people watch. The new group links together drama, entertainment and children’s, with factual and learning, network production in the nations, audio and music, journalism and future media technology.

Within this structure is BBC Vision Studios, which will be the biggest production house of its kind in the world. Taking in around 4,000 programme makers, it will be headed by chief creative officer Peter Salmon.