diff --git a/BBC_studios.md b/BBC_studios.md deleted file mode 100644 index 44f5f00..0000000 --- a/BBC_studios.md +++ /dev/null @@ -1,320 +0,0 @@ -# BBC Studios - -**BBC Studios Limited** is a British content company. It is a commercial -subsidiary of the [BBC](BBC "wikilink") that was formed in April 2018 -through the merger of the BBC's commercial production arm and the BBC's -commercial international distribution arm, [BBC -Worldwide](BBC_Worldwide "wikilink"). BBC Studios creates, develops, -produces, distributes, broadcasts, finances and sells content around the -world, returning around to the BBC annually in dividends and content -investment. - -## Overview - -[BBC Studios Productions](BBC_Studios_Productions "wikilink") brings -together the majority of [BBC Television](BBC_Television "wikilink")'s -former in-house production departments; Factual, Drama, Comedy (both -combined as Scripted in the new division), Entertainment, and Music & -Events. BBC Children's production is set to move into BBC Studios -Productions from April 2022 to increase the potential of taking British -children's content to the wider global market, along with [BBC -Three](BBC_Three "wikilink")'s in-house production team, which is -joining from April 2021. - -[BBC News](BBC_News "wikilink") and [BBC Radio](BBC_Radio "wikilink") -remain separate internal production divisions in the BBC, and the rest -of the former BBC Television division (channels and genre commissioning, -including [BBC Sport](BBC_Sport "wikilink") and [BBC -iPlayer](BBC_iPlayer "wikilink")) are part of the BBC Content division. - -The BBC Studios production division was formed in 2016 and launched as a -commercial entity in 2017, enabling it to produce programming for -other broadcasters and services to generate profit to return to the BBC -to supplement [licence -fee](Television_licensing_in_the_United_Kingdom "wikilink") income. In -exchange, the BBC agreed to place production of much of its non-news -programmes [to tender](Request_for_tender "wikilink"), allowing -third-party independents to compete with BBC Studios on bids to produce -them. - -The merger of BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide in 2018, brought the company -in line with other major multinational studio conglomerates. - -BBC Studios Productions was the UK's most commissioned creator of new -content in 2019, with 77 new commissions from the BBC and third-parties. -It achieved 73 awards and 202 nominations in 2019/2020. - -BBC Studios represents formats and programmes made by hundreds of -independent producers, as well as its own production teams and returned -£176m to the independent sector in 2018/2019. - -The company is on track to meet its five-year target of returning £1.2bn -to the BBC by 2021/2022. BBC Studios has committed to growing this -total by a further 30% to a new target of £1.5bn in the five years from -2022/2023. - -## History - -BBC Studios Ltd. as a production company was first registered on 27 -February 2015. In September 2015, the BBC's general director [Tony -Hall](Tony_Hall,_Baron_Hall_of_Birkenhead "wikilink") announced a -proposal to split the BBC's in-house production units for non-news -television programming into a separate BBC Studios division, which would -eventually, with [BBC Trust](BBC_Trust "wikilink") approval as part of -the next revision to the BBC's charter, be spun-out as a for-profit -subsidiary of the BBC. This proposal would allow the BBC's units to -produce programmes for other broadcasters and digital outlets (which -could be done in conjunction with its international distribution arm -[BBC Worldwide](BBC_Worldwide "wikilink")) in addition to the BBC's -publicly funded properties. As a for-profit company, BBC Studios would -be allowed to pay higher wages to its executives and talent, and no -longer face scrutiny over them as it did as a public entity. The -proposal was described by *[The Guardian](The_Guardian "wikilink")* as -being "one of the biggest changes to the BBC in its 93-year -history". - -The proposal attracted criticism from independent studios, who felt that -it would result in the formation of a "super-indie" that would unduly -benefit from "guaranteed" programme commissions from the BBC. As part of -the split, the BBC planned to [tender](Request_for_tender "wikilink") -its programmes, so that independent producers and BBC Studios could bid -for the rights to produce its non-news programming, outside of top shows -(such as *[Doctor Who](Doctor_Who "wikilink")*) assigned to BBC -Studios. The re-organisation and formation of BBC Studios as a -division of the BBC was completed in April 2016. In September 2016, -the BBC announced that it would tender its non-news programmes over the -next 11 years, beginning with programmes such as *[A Question of -Sport](A_Question_of_Sport "wikilink")*, *[Holby -City](Holby_City "wikilink")* and *[Songs of -Praise](Songs_of_Praise "wikilink")*. - -In October 2016, the BBC announced that it planned to lay off 300 -employees from the division seen as redundant. In December 2016, BBC -Studios announced that it had reached an agreement with [Producers -Alliance for Cinema and -Television](Producers_Alliance_for_Cinema_and_Television "wikilink") -(PACT) in regards to the tendering plan, stating that it would tender at -least 40% of the "in-house guarantee" within two years of approval of -the transition. The [BBC Trust](BBC_Trust "wikilink") subsequently -approved the creation of BBC Studios as a commercial subsidiary, with -the process expected to be completed in April 2017. - -On 29 November 2017, the BBC announced that BBC Worldwide would be -merged into BBC Studios effective 1 April 2018. The BBC stated that by -handling both the production and sales of its programming within one -unit, it would improve efficiency and be in line with the "global norms" -of other major international media companies. Technically, BBC -Ventures Group Ltd. was renamed BBC Studios Group Ltd. on 3 April 2018, -and then BBC Studios Ltd. 1 October 2018; also in October, the -production company established in 2015 was renamed BBC Studios -Productions Ltd., and so did [BBC Worldwide -Ltd.](BBC_Worldwide "wikilink"), which was renamed BBC Studios -Distribution Ltd. - -In April 2019, BBC Studios announced various agreements with [Discovery, -Inc.](Discovery,_Inc. "wikilink"); the companies agreed to break apart -their [UKTV](UKTV "wikilink") joint venture, with Discovery (which had -acquired a stake in UKTV after its purchase of [Scripps Networks -Interactive](Scripps_Networks_Interactive "wikilink")) acquiring the -BBC's stake in UKTV's lifestyle channels, and BBC Studios likewise -acquiring Discovery's stakes in UKTV's entertainment channels and the -video on-demand service [UKTV Play](UKTV_Play "wikilink"). In addition, -Discovery announced a 10-year agreement with the BBC's [Natural History -Unit](BBC_Studios_Natural_History_Unit "wikilink") to acquire exclusive -subscription video-on-demand rights to its content worldwide (which -would be incorporated into a forthcoming [global streaming -brand](Discovery+ "wikilink")), and co-fund a development team. -Discovery had previously served as the Natural History's Unit U.S. -partner until 2013. - -In August 2019, BBC Studios announced a long-term deal with -[WarnerMedia](WarnerMedia "wikilink")'s upcoming [HBO -Max](HBO_Max "wikilink") for streaming rights to past seasons of top BBC -programmes such as *Doctor Who*, *[The Honourable -Woman](The_Honourable_Woman "wikilink")*, -*[Luther](Luther_(TV_series) "wikilink")*, and *[Top -Gear](Top_Gear_(2002_TV_series) "wikilink")*. In January 2020, it -also sold second-window streaming rights to 14 series to [CW -Seed](CW_Seed "wikilink") (a video on-demand platform operated by [The -CW](The_CW "wikilink"), a television network co-owned by -WarnerMedia). - -In February 2021, BBC Studios launched a new streaming brand in North -America known as [BBC -Select](BBC_Select_(streaming_service) "wikilink"), dedicated to factual -content. On 22 February 2021, BBC Studios signed a first-look deal -with Gobstopper Group. - -In March 2021, it was announced that the BBC Children's Productions and -BBC Global News units would also be transferred into BBC Studios. With -the change, BBC Studios will handle international distribution and -advertising sales for [BBC World News](BBC_World_News "wikilink"), while -the public service BBC News operation will assume editorial control of -the channel. More recently, the studio had set up a development -deal with EbonyLife Media, which was affiliated with [Sony Pictures -Television](Sony_Pictures_Television "wikilink"), headed by [Mo -Abudu](Mo_Abudu "wikilink"). - -In August 2022, it was revealed that BBC Studios planned to launch an -international newsletter business, initially focusing on Canada and the -US, the BBC's second largest non-UK news market behind India. - -In June 2023, BBC Studios announced the acquisition of Scandinavian -production company STV (not to be confused with Scotland's [STV -Group](STV_Group "wikilink")). The Copenhagen-based company will be -rebranded BBC Studios Nordic Productions. - -In October 2023, press reports confirmed that BBC Studios had reached a -multi-million pound financial settlement to compensate Top Gear -presenter [Freddie Flintoff](Andrew_Flintoff "wikilink") for the -injuries he sustained in a car crash when filming a Top Gear episode in -December 2022. - -## Assets and brands - -### Television channels - -- [BBC America](BBC_America "wikilink") (United States) -- [BBC Brit](BBC_Brit "wikilink") (Poland) -- [BBC Earth](BBC_Earth_(TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [BBC Earth](BBC_Earth_(Canadian_TV_channel) "wikilink") (Canada; - Under license) - - [Sony BBC Earth](Sony_BBC_Earth "wikilink") (India; joint - venture with [Sony](Sony_Pictures_Networks "wikilink")) -- [BBC Entertainment](BBC_Entertainment "wikilink") -- [BBC First](BBC_First "wikilink") - - [BBC First](BBC_First_(Australian_TV_channel) "wikilink") - (Australia) - - [BBC First](BBC_First_(Canadian_TV_channel) "wikilink") (Canada; - Under license) - - [BBC First](BBC_First_(Dutch_TV_channel) "wikilink") - (Netherlands) -- [BBC HD](BBC_HD_(international) "wikilink") -- [BBC Kids](BBC_Kids "wikilink") -- [BBC Lifestyle](BBC_Lifestyle "wikilink") -- [BBC Nordic](BBC_Nordic "wikilink") -- [BBC UKTV](BBC_UKTV "wikilink") (Australia and New Zealand) -- [UKTV](UKTV "wikilink") - - [Alibi](Alibi_(TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [Dave](Dave_(TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [Drama](Drama_(British_TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [Eden](Eden_(British_TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [Gold](Gold_(British_TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [W](W_(British_TV_channel) "wikilink") - - [Yesterday](Yesterday_(TV_channel) "wikilink") - -### International distribution only - -- [BBC News](BBC_News_(international_TV_channel) "wikilink") - owned - by BBC Global News and operated by [BBC News](BBC_News "wikilink") - - BBC News North America - - BBC News Africa - - BBC News South America - - BBC News Europe (Except UK & Ireland) - - BBC News Middle East - - BBC News South Asia - - BBC News Asia - - BBC News Australasia -- [CBBC](CBBC "wikilink") -- [CBeebies](CBeebies "wikilink") - -### Brands - -- [BBC Shop](BBC_Shop "wikilink") - Online retailer operating in the - US & Canada only, selling BBC products. UK physical store closed in - 2016 & [BBC Store](BBC_Store "wikilink") closed in 2017, although - Studios retain *Doctor Who* and *Top Gear* branded online shops. -- [BBC Motion Gallery](BBC_Motion_Gallery "wikilink") - Licensing - footage from the BBC Archives -- [BBC Studios Home - Entertainment](BBC_Studios_Home_Entertainment "wikilink") - Home - video label. Formerly known as **2 | entertain**. -- [Demon Music Group](Demon_Music_Group "wikilink") - Record label. -- [UKTV](UKTV "wikilink") - UK digital TV broadcaster. -- [BBC Player](BBC_Player "wikilink") (not to be confused with BBC - iPlayer) - A video on demand subscription service in - [Singapore](Singapore "wikilink") and - [Malaysia](Malaysia "wikilink"). -- Rapid Blue - Division of BBC Studios responsible for production in - [South Africa](South_Africa "wikilink"). -- BBC Active (joint venture with [Pearson - PLC](Pearson_PLC "wikilink")) - The brand publishes educational - material. -- Licences the publishing of magazine titles to the [Immediate Media - Company](Immediate_Media_Company "wikilink"). The titles were - formerly published in-house by [BBC - Magazines](BBC_Magazines "wikilink"). -- Licences audio content to [Penguin Random House - UK](Penguin_Random_House "wikilink") for global sales and - distribution. Titles were previously published in-house by - *BBC Radio Collection* and *BBC Audiobooks* and later by - [AudioGO](AudioGO "wikilink"), in which BBC Studios held a 15% - stake. -- [BBC Books](BBC_Books "wikilink") (joint venture with [Penguin - Random House UK](Penguin_Random_House "wikilink")) - - BBC Children's Books (joint venture with [Penguin Random House - UK](Penguin_Random_House "wikilink")) -- [BBC Select](BBC_Select_(streaming_service) "wikilink") - -### Label investments - -BBC Studios has built up a stake in a variety of different production -companies. - -- 72 Films (with David Glover and Mark Raphael; 15%) -- Amazing Productions (with [George - Clarke](George_Clarke_(architect) "wikilink"), 25%) -- [Baby Cow Productions](Baby_Cow_Productions "wikilink") (with [Steve - Coogan](Steve_Coogan "wikilink"); 73%) -- Brutal Media -- Burning Bright Productions (25%) -- [Clerkenwell Films](Clerkenwell_Films "wikilink") (100% as of 19 - January 2021) -- [Cuba Pictures](Curtis_Brown_(agency) "wikilink") (10%, via Original - Talent Ltd) -- Curve Media (with Rob Carey and Camilla Lewis; 25%) -- Expectation Entertainment (24.9%) -- Firebird Pictures (100% as of 5 October 2022) -- House Productions (100% as of 14 December 2021) -- [Lookout Point TV](Lookout_Point_TV "wikilink") (100% as of 5 July - 2018) -- Mighty Productions (with Lynn Sutcliffe and Hugh Rycroft) -- Moonage Pictures -- Sid Gentle Films Ltd. (100% as of 17 October 2022) -- VAL (Various Artists Limited) (with [Sam Bain](Sam_Bain "wikilink"), - [Jesse Armstrong](Jesse_Armstrong "wikilink"), [Phil - Clarke](Phil_Clarke_(TV_producer) "wikilink") and Roberto Troni; - 20%) -- Werner Film Productions - -## BBC Records - -**BBC Records** was a division of the [BBC](BBC "wikilink") founded in -1967 to commercially exploit the corporation's output for radio and -television for both educational and domestic use. In the 1990s -licensing and marketing of the BBC's recorded output become the -responsibility of **[BBC Worldwide](BBC_Worldwide "wikilink") (formerly -BBC Enterprises)**, and the corporation ceased the direct release of -recorded material, instead licensing its products to other companies. -BBC Worldwide was merged into BBC Studios from 2018, which now licenses -the use of the BBC logo on commercial recordings. - -## BritBox - -**BritBox** is an [over-the-top](Over-the-top_media_service "wikilink") -[subscription video -on-demand](video_on_demand#Subscription_models "wikilink") brand, which -includes original programming commissioned or acquired by the company, -and third-party content licensed from other UK channels such as -[BBC](BBC "wikilink"), [ITV](ITV_plc "wikilink"), [Channel -4](Channel_4 "wikilink") and [Channel -5](Channel_5_(British_TV_channel) "wikilink"). The service was announced -by [BBC Worldwide](BBC_Worldwide "wikilink") and [ITV -plc](ITV_plc "wikilink") as a joint venture in 2016 and launched in 2017 -in North America; the international service remains a joint -venture of BBC Studios and ITV plc. - -A separately managed UK version of the service launched in 2019 but is -now a fully owned subsidiary of ITV, after they announced in 2022 that -they had bought out the BBC and its other partners with the intention of -integrating the service with [ITVX](ITVX "wikilink"). \ No newline at end of file