The BBC Director-General has been marking the third anniversary of the corporation’s 5 year production commitment with the North East Screen Partnership.
The corporation says it’s on track to exceed its target investment of £25m in the North East by 2026.
To date it says the partnership has created 293 local jobs and contributed £18.6m of value to the region and is on track to create a £50m per year production sector in the area by 2027.
“The BBC is proud to play a part in this landmark commitment to the North East,” said Director-General, Tim Davie.
“By boosting investment, allocating the right resources, and moving people outside of London – we’re making sure that authentic, home-grown stories from this amazing region are being told. It is our mission to bring people together and make sure the BBC continues to serve and reflect audiences from across the UK. We’re committed to our vision of supporting the North East’s vibrant media industry for the future.”
Davie was in the region to mark the anniversary, which included an event in Darlington attended by local indies, plus Sara Davies (Dragons’ Den), Charlotte Crosby and Vicky Pattison, and Mayors Kim McGuiness and Ben Houchen. Other guests included Dani Harmer, Jill Halfpenny, Kema Kay, Steven Moore, and Carol Malia.
Davie also visited the set of CBBC’s Dumping Ground, which is filmed in Hexham.
As well as the event, the BBC has shared first images of new series, The Big Idea Works, which is presented by Sara Davies and made by Gateshead-based TwentySix03. The “one-stop ideas workshop” will be set up in the North East for aspiring inventors to transform their ideas into prototypes.
“I can tell you first-hand that the creative and production power of the North East is second to none,” said Davies.
“The BBC’s commitment to the region is a reflection of this wealth of talent, and long may it continue. We have much more to offer and, thanks to relationships with people like North East Screen, the viewers will see this in action. We all know that television is a challenging industry, but my goodness – there is a great deal to recognise in the region, and we need to make sure that production talent is preserved, nurtured and supported.”
It was also confirmed that Robson Green’s Weekend Escapes is set to return for a third series. It’s produced by North East-based Signpost Entertainment and Rivers Meet Productions.
“The landmark BBC partnership was a substantial catalyst for the growth the screen industry in the North East,” said Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen.
“Over the past two years production has grown by 86% making our region the fastest growing in the UK. We have welcomed home grown and inward productions from the BBC, ITV, C4, Sky, Netflix, and Amazon, as well as major feature films. We have generated £12.7m of GVA (calculated by Saffery Champness on behalf of NE Screen) and secured regional jobs equivalent to 264 FTEs.
“With growing strength in our local production companies and infrastructure, and studio developments already underway, we will continue the delivering alongside our partners to ensure the North East has a sustainable screen industry that will see global content produced in the region all year long.”
Since the partnership began, the BBC has launched a new product and technology hub at its recently refurbished Newcastle base and has already recruited over 60 new roles, with further growth planned this year.
“Our North East has been the backdrop for iconic TV shows and films, and talent and creativity runs through our DNA as a region,” said North East Mayor Kim McGuinness.
“Work by the BBC and North East Screen has helped kick start a renaissance in local production, job creation and investment in the North East’s screen industry. However, this is just the start. As Mayor I want to go further – so our region and talent is seen on screens across the globe. Just this week, I approved £25 million investment to begin work on the Crown Works Studios, which will create world-class film and TV production facilities in Sunderland. This will help make our area the home of real opportunity, ending the days where people have to leave the North East to pursue a career in creative industries.”
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen added:
“Our region has fantastic locations, amazing talent, and huge potential as a centre for TV and film making – so it has been great to see the development of new shows in our area as part of this growing partnership with the BBC.
“We are building a growing reputation as a place where opportunities in the creative and digital sectors are thriving. This is why the expansion of the BBC in places such as Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool is so important as it not only shows off the best of our area but provides long-term careers for local people in well-paid skilled industries.”
