One of the BBC’s longest-running exhibits is being axed in Scotland however practically £100M ($130M) will likely be spent on drama within the nation over the following three years, a rise of round 25%.
Soap River City, which has aired since 2002, will finish subsequent fall, the BBC has simply introduced, with actors union Equity and Directors UK reacting angrily to the information.
But with the criticism that canceling long-running exhibits attracts entrance and middle of its thoughts, the company has already mentioned that its funding in Scottish drama will rise to greater than £95M cumulatively between 2026 and 2028, a median of not less than £30M per yr. A spokeswoman for BBC Scotland mentioned this determine has been across the £25M mark for the previous 5 years.
BBC Scotland content material boss Louise Thornton has already unveiled three new dramas: darkly comedian thriller Grams from Line of Duty producer World Productions, The Young Team tailored from Scottish writer Graeme Armstrong’s debut novel and Counsels, which is being co-created by Skins creator Bryan Elsley.
“River City has been a wonderful adventure and of course we’ll all be sad to see it go,” mentioned BBC Scotland Director Hayley Valentine. “The team have done a brilliant job and I know they have some big plans for the finale next year. But as viewing patterns change and competition intensifies, this is the right time to invest in the next generation of high-impact drama series from across Scotland showcasing storytelling across the UK.”
Created by Stephen Greenhorn and produced by BBC Studios, Scottish cleaning soap River City has aired since 2002 and is about within the West End of Glasgow, following a solid of entertaining characters and successful a wealth of awards down the years.
“A disaster for Scottish television”
The transfer to axe River City follows latest cancelations of long-running BBC dramas Holby City and Doctors, each of which attracted criticism.
Regardless of the BBC’s rising Scottish drama spend, Equity and Directors UK reacted instantly with annoyance.
Equity General Secretary Paul Fleming known as the cancelation “short sighted” and “a disaster for Scottish television.”
“Axing River City would have a devastating effect on acting and production roles for Scottish talent,” he mentioned. “There is simply no equivalent to a regular soap for getting your foot in the door of this notoriously cutthroat industry, especially for the many aspiring actors from working class backgrounds. The regular opportunities and wages simply do not exist in other show formats.”
Directors UK boss Andy Harrower mentioned the transfer is a “killer blow to our members based in Scotland for whom the last couple of years have been really challenging in terms of having enough work to sustain a living.” “The BBC has indicated that the money saved will be reallocated to other Scottish production,” he added. “This must happen, and it must translate into work opportunities for Scottish talent. We will hold the BBC to account on this.”
Scottish TV manufacturing has been within the highlight of late over The Traitors, after the BBC and producer Studio Lambert have been accused of portray a “truly shocking picture” on the subject of the variety of individuals engaged on the present who’re based mostly in Scotland. The accusation from an area director sparked a significant debate.