SNP plans could lead to more ‘Tartan Telly’ on BBC
CRITICS have warned Scottish viewers could end up with “Tartan Telly” due to SNP plans to screen more home-made programmes via BBC channels.
Holyrood ministers want to use their new influence to increase Scottish content after being given an input into how the BBC is run for the first time.
It has emerged that they are planning to demand millions more be spent filming shows in Scotland to make more programmes specifically for a Scottish audience.
At the moment, around a third of the money collected from licence fee-payers north of the Border is spent on Scottish shows, with the rest used by the BBC to fund its British and international output.
Among the most popular shows in Scotland is soap opera River City, which is watched by around 270,000 people, compared to massive ratings hits such as EastEnders, Top Gear, Call The Midwife and Doctor Who.
Critics have warned that viewers could end up overrun with “Tartan Telly” if the plans go ahead and have accused the SNP of using the BBC as “a political football to fight its separation agenda”.
The Smith Commission proposals, published last year, included a pledge to give the Scottish Government a “formal consultative role” in discussions on the BBC Charter.
SNP Ministers say the new role could lead to drama of the quality of Danish political thriller Borgen, starring Sidse Babett Knudsen, being filmed in Scotland.
The issue is set to become the latest battleground for the SNP and the BBC after tensions soared during the referendum amid claims the Corporation was anti-independence.
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland has the assets to produce world-class drama – fantastic scenery, great acting and screen-writing talent and a rich TV and film tradition.
“But when it comes to BBC productions, for too long Scottish licence fee payers have been shortchanged, with not enough filming being commissioned here.
“At the moment, that means well under a third of Scotland’s licence fee resources are used to make programming for Scotland, compared to more than four-fifths of Welsh licence fee resources devoted to programming for Wales.
“The Scottish Government will have a formal consultative role in the BBC Charter renewal and we will use this role to seek to ensure Scotland gets a fair deal from our licence fee contribution.”
The BBC raises around £337million a year from licence fee payers in Scotland and latest figures suggest its total expenditure north of the Border is around £199million.
A BBC spokesman said: “BBC Scotland offers a wide range of programmes and services for Scotland and we remain keen to ensure we deliver not only quality content, produced here in Scotland, but also value for money for licence payers.
“We have an ongoing dialogue with the Scottish Government on the significant contribution we make to Scotland’s creative economy.
“The Smith Commission recommendations will help to sustain and develop that dialogue.
