Steps being taken to realise the potential for growth in the broadcasting industry have been unveiled today in the Scottish Government's response to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission's (SBC) report.
In a statement to the Scottish Parliament, Culture Minister Michael Russell outlined action the Government is taking on its commitment to implement all the Commission's recommendations, where it has powers to do so.
Top of the SBC's list of recommendations is the establishment of an innovative new Scottish digital network to be funded by the UK Government.
Michael Russell said:
"Scottish Enterprise's economic strategy, also published today, shows an unprecedented opportunity for the Scottish broadcasting industry. If anyone was unconvinced of the case for investing in a new Scottish network, then this brings clarity. It makes clear that a new network, alongside increased commitments from existing public service broadcasters, shows potential for the number of jobs supported and the economic impact of the industry to double over the next three years.
"Delivering the SBC's recommendations is key to realising that potential. There has been good progress in taking forward the recommendations and I am making sure that momentum continues for the benefit of the industry and for the people of Scotland. We have been pressing others to take action to deliver all the SBC's recommendations, as well as taking action ourselves.
"With consensus in the Scottish Parliament in favour of the SBC's recommendations, it is time to secure agreement with the UK Government on its funding for the next generation of Scotland's public service broadcasting, in the form of a new digital network for Scotland. I met Lord Stephen Carter recently and have contributed to the consultation on the interim Digital Britain report. We are engaging constructively with the UK Government on this matter and there is a realisation there that broadcasting in Scotland requires a Scottish solution.
"A Scottish network will ensure diverse high quality public service broadcasting for the people of Scotland. We are glad to see that both the Ofcom review of public service broadcasting and the interim Digital Britain report leave the path clear for a new Scottish network.
"We are taking action within our current powers to ensure Scotland has representative and high-quality public service broadcasting content. The Cabinet Secretary for Education recently announced Scottish Funding Council funding of 5.8 million pounds for Skillset's Screen and Media Academies, helping to ensure our country remains at the cutting edge of the highly competitive creative industries by providing first class industry-led education and training. This will directly benefit broadcasters, supporting a further 40 post-graduate broadcasting positions and helping ensure skills requirements are met now and in the future.
"Of course broadcasters are also key to success and we have already seen commitments from the BBC and Channel 4 on increasing production levels in Scotland and to have commissioning editors based here. These commitments are welcome, but there is much work to be done to ensure these targets are met on time, if not early."
Blair Jenkins, Chair of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission, said:
"These are all encouraging developments and I firmly believe there is an exciting future for the industry and for audiences in Scotland. Creating the Scottish digital network is the key objective and it is very important to continue with an inclusive and all-party approach in delivering this new service for Scotland."
Scottish Enterprise's economic development strategy for Scotland's broadcasting sector shows a best case scenario of near-doubling of direct employment in the sector to nearly 5,700 people, and additional income of more than £200 million, taking total economic impact to £421 million per annum (best-case scenario assumption is of BBC and Channel 4 spend meeting the 8.6 per cent production target set by the SBC, ITV spend remaining at current levels, and establishment of the new Scottish network).
Both the interim Digital Britain report and Ofcom review of public service broadcasting make reference to the possibility of a competitive fund as an alternative method of funding public service broadcasting in the devolved nations. The SBC considered and rejected this idea if it was at the expense of a Scottish digital network, recommending a new network as the best value option to meet the needs of the people of Scotland.