We cannot fault Peter Bazalgette’s piece (Cherish the TV that shows who we are, 29 November) and its brilliant emphasis on the central role for public service broadcasting in our democracy, society and economy. How right he is to mention video-on-demand (VOD) operators investing in shows with worldwide appeal but not necessarily stories about us. These players are in direct competition for revenues with public service broadcasters and, as Tony Hall, the BBC director general, recently pointed out, this situation could lead to a £500m shortfall in investment in British programming. This would be a devastating blow for our democracy and cultural diversity.
Like Germany, France and Poland, we should be asking these new VOD players to pay a small levy to our national film funds so that it can be invested in film, drama and documentary from across Britain. In addition, our government should also support draft EU audiovisual laws to ensure that 30% of VOD catalogues are national and/or European programming.
We must see ourselves on screen in an ongoing national conversation that underpins our democracy and values all our citizens no matter where they live. As the head of the European Film Agency Directors recently said about VOD operators: “If they want access to our market, then they should invest in it.”
Carole Tongue
Chair, UK Coalition for Cultural Diversity
Holly Aylett
Director
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