From
BBC Press Office
Jana Bennett, Director, BBC Vision, announced today that investment in children's programmes would be increased by at least £25million across the next three years.
She made the announcement during a speech delivered at the BBC Vision Forum, an annual event for in-house and independent programme makers focusing on BBC Vision's creative and business priorities.
Jana Bennett said: "In response to a firm recommendation from the BBC Trust that we should strengthen our role as the cornerstone of home-produced children's output in the UK, I'm pleased to say that we've identified more funding for Children's – at least £25 million over three years – which we'll be formally discussing with the Trust.
"This additional funding, derived from efficiency savings, once again recognises the particular pressures facing this genre and it will be used to reinforce the creative strength of BBC Children's, and help the CBBC channel maintain its position."
Jana Bennett also confirmed that BBC Two's drama spend would increase by 50% over the next three years and that the channel would become the home for BBC Films, "to create a core of distinguished fiction on the channel".
She said: "This extra money has been found after a tough re-prioritisation of funds within Vision because … I believe the genre needs support.
"It will be targeted at distinctive, authored series that will continue the great tradition of BBC Two drama, with the aim of providing the next generation of television classics."
The Children's and Drama investment has been achieved through re-prioritisation across BBC Vision and by re-investing efficiencies that have already been made.
