“Historic day” as BBC prepares to put more programming out to tender
The production industry is set to learn this week which BBC programmes that are currently made in-house will be put out to tender by the corporation.
Under the terms of the new royal charter, the BBC will be required to put all programming outside of news and current affairs to commercial competition.
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And around 300 production companies have been invited to meet the corporation on Wednesday to learn which programmes will be available in the first tranche.
John McVay, the chief executive of production industry body Pact, which fought for the change over a number of years, told City PM: “This is a historic day for the BBC and the production industry.”
Under the new rules, programmes made in-house, such as EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing, will be put out to tender.
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BBC Studios, a new commercial production arm of the corporation, will also be able to compete.
The meeting comes a week after the BBC lost the Great British Bake Off programme, produced by Love Productions, to Channel 4.
A BBC spokesperson declined to comment.