The Stage

Drama runs will be slashed in BBC belt-tightening

Published Tuesday 23 October 2007 at 14:20 by Matthew Hemley

Exclusive: Popular BBC drama series such as Spooks will have their runs slashed as part of a cost-cutting drive at the Corporation.

The move comes after director general Mark Thompson unveiled his six-year plan for the BBC, which called on every part of the organisation to make efficiency savings. The savings are being made in a bid to stem a £2 billion shortfall caused by a smaller than expected licence fee settlement.

While outline cuts were announced last week, sources at the BBC have now revealed to The Stage that the drama department is looking to reduce the number of weeks its longer-running, returnable series are on air for as a way of saving money and preventing any being axed.

It is also understood some shows usually brought back once a year will now be commissioned every 15 to 18 months instead.

A source said: “We are losing a few people and there will be slightly less drama but it could be worse.

“The thinking as it stands is that some shows will have shorter runs and some will be commissioned on an 18-month cycle rather than 12-month cycle, meaning we can stretch the money that way.”

A BBC spokeswoman confirmed some of the Corporation’s returning series would have shorter runs and revealed shows likely to be affected include Spooks.

She said there would be longer gaps between runs and added: “The nitty-gritty is still being discussed but the thing to emphasise is viewers do not need to worry that their best-loved dramas will no longer appear.”

Announcing his six-year plan last week, Thompson said the BBC would have 10% less originated television programming by 2012/13 and would instead focus on “quality and distinction”.

He added the Corporation would be prioritising “high-impact, distinctive drama series of wide appeal”.

Although the BBC has yet to reveal how the proposals will impact on new drama commissions, independent drama production companies have raised concern they are likely to bear the brunt of any reduction from the Corporation.

One, who did not want to be named, said: “It does worry the sector because what the BBC will do is try and make sure the 10% comes out of independent rather than internal production.”

Equity has warned it will be monitoring the BBC’s drama output closely over the coming months.

The union’s head of communications Martin Brown, said: “We are clearly going to watch very carefully to make sure there is no adverse impact.”