Lords Committee recommends part-privatisation of BBC Worldwide

The House of Lords Communications Committee chaired by Lord Fowler has published an interesting report on the future of the UK film and television industries on Monday. Entitled The British Film and Television Industries - Decline or Opportunity?, the report is concise, informative and insightful on the history of both sectors, and future possibilities.

The report makes recommendations in respect of tax relief and credit for the film industry, facilitating private investment, the future of the UK Film Council, camcording in cinemas, and the terms of trade between PSB channels and the independent production sector. The headline recommendation, however, concerned the support for the part prvatisation of BBC Worldwide (the commercial arm of the BBC) as a means to ensure the fullest exploitation of BBC content and brand opportunities.