UK TV drama faces urgent funding crisis, warns producer

Jane Featherstone, the chief of production company Sister, warned that the UK television drama industry is in serious trouble. Speaking at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards in London, she compared the situation to a pilot episode that is running out of time. She received an award for outstanding contribution during the event. Featherstone highlighted a funding crisis within the public service broadcasting (PSB) system. She pointed out that many BBC shows are stuck in a funding limbo. She emphasized that the gap between available funding and current budgets is too wide, risking the future of important stories in the UK. Featherstone called for collaboration within the industry to protect PSB. She described PSB as essential for diverse storytelling and likened it to the Amazon rainforest. She stressed that time is running out to address these issues. To move forward, Featherstone urged the industry to agree that there is something valuable worth protecting. She suggested presenting a clear case to the government for financial support. While she is not in favor of a fee on streaming services, she encourages discussion on various solutions to improve funding. Last year, her company saw significant growth but still struggled to make a profit. It has since closed its U.S. office, and its latest show, Season 3 of Gangs of London, premiered recently.