But licence fee squeeze makes conditions tougher

The BBC has pledged to make 100 hours of new TV comedy next year, despite the squeeze on the licence fee.

The figure, averaging two hours a week, is broadly in line with recent years – but well down on the 225 hours made in 2010.

As well as original programming, another 100 hours will be acquired from overseas – half going out on air and half going out on iPlayer only.

And in total the Corporation will ‘make available’ 1,000 hours of TV comedy – with the rest comprising repeats on air and on iPlayer.

In its annual plan for 2023-2024 published today, the broadcaster vows: ‘We will continue to invest in comedy, building on our long-term investment strategy designed to move several comedy pilots to full commission, as well as investing in new writers and talent, and increasing our short-form video content

‘We will continue to serve a range of audiences for comedy by commissioning and broadcasting a combination of new titles, returning favourites for families and for all age groups, and unique challenging comedies.’

The report citied a number of previously announced new shows such as Caroline Moran’s  Henpocalypse!, Undoing Martin Parker, a 1990s-set comedy-drama starring  Conleth Hill and  Sian Gibson, Catherine Tate’s Queen of Oz, the and comedy thriller Black Ops and Gbemisola Ikumelo’s Brain In Gear (pictured).

Returning favourites will include The Outlaws, Two Doors Down, Not Going Out and Inside No 9, while  BBC Three will be airing new shows such as Kat Sadler’s Such Brave Girls, Mawaan Riswan’s  Juice and Adjani Salmon’s Dreaming Whilst Black, after its Bafta-winning pilot.

Meanwhile, Radio 4 will broadcast about 160 hours of first-run comedy – with new programmes including Chris McCausland’s panel show You Heard It Here First, Call Jonathan Pie, a  revival of Room 101 with Paul Merton, and stand-up Masie Adam’s football-themed  The Beautiful Game.

Radio 5 Live will broadcast about 70 hours of comedy, including    the Elis James and John Robins Show.

BBC chairman and Richard Sharp, who controversially facilitated a loan to Boris Johnson, said: ‘The BBC’s performance in delivering against its strategic priorities has been outstanding, particularly in such a challenging financial setting and against a backdrop of increased competition. This plan sets out how we will best serve all audiences by making the most of our resources in the coming year.’

But the Corporation acknowledged the Government-imposed 2022 licence fee settlement and economic environment, including exceptionally high inflation in the TV industry, meant the original £285million a year in cuts that were required by 2028 has now increased to £400million.

Published: 30 Mar 2023