BBC spends £88m on comedy
... and promises more to come
The BBC spent £88million on British comedy last year – and has vowed to spend even more in the next 12 months.In its annual report, published today, the corporation said its spending on comedy rose five per cent in 2006-2007.
And it plans to increase that figure by another nine per cent next year, bringing the total up to £96million.
Much of the focus is on finding high-profile hits for BBC One, but also to use BBC Three as a testing ground for new comedy ideas.
However, the corporation may have its work cut out convincing viewers to watch they more experimental shows.
The report quotes prominently one Cardiff man's response to a survey asking him to define BBC Three. ‘Some of the new comedy is quite quirky,’ he said. ‘But it can be just random and unfunny.’
Published: 3 Jul 2007
