09/10/2008

The future of broadcasting in Scotland is to be the subject of a strategic investigation conducted by Scottish Enterprise, the First Minister announced yesterday.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Alex Salmond said the strategy would build on the analysis and recommendations of the recently-concluded Scottish Broadcasting Commission - which he launched last year - whose principal recommendation is the creation of a digital TV channel dedicated to Scottish content.

The First Minister also told Parliament that Culture Minister, Linda Fabiani, has written to the Westminster Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham, to make direct representations in support of the Commission's proposals, in particular the creation of the ‘Scottish Network’ channel.

Yesterday, as part of the Scottish Government's response to the Commission's recommendations, Salmond said: “[They] are far reaching and propose nothing short of a blueprint for a revolution in Scottish broadcasting.

"The Commission's central proposal is for a new Scottish Network consisting of a dedicated television channel and online dimension and this is a view I fully support.

"It is high time Scotland had its own dedicated digital network. Culturally, economically, democratically, this country deserves its own network to develop home-grown broadcasting and multi-media talent.

"At present, some £300 million is raised from Scottish licence fee payers, yet only £140 million is actually spent in Scotland - illustrating a substantial investment shortfall.

"Given that the sale of the cleared digital spectrum will raise billions of pounds for the Treasury from all parts of the UK, and that public service broadcasting is currently reserved to Westminster, we fully support the Commission's recommendation that the new Scottish digital network should be fully funded under that public service broadcasting remit.

"We also share the Commission's expectation that the BBC and Channel 4 should have a substantial commissioning presence in Scotland and devote a minimum of 8.6 per cent of programme budgets to commissioning programmes from Scotland.

“New network commissions will bring tens of millions of pounds of new investment directly into Scottish broadcasting - potentially doubling broadcast production in Scotland - and the Scottish Government will do all that we can in support the industry so it can capitalise on these new opportunities.

"By the end of this year, Scottish Enterprise will produce a strategy for the economic development of the broadcasting sector, building on the Commission's analysis and recommendations.”


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