BBC calls for tax breaks for comedy

As report reveals the importance of the genre

The BBC has commissioned a major report into the ‘substantial’ cultural and economic benefits of TV comedy.

However it warns that budgetary pressures are threatening the sector, despite the value of the genre to audiences.

BBC Comedy Festival Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy, revealed the research at the broadcaster’s Comedy Festival in Belfast.

He said; Together, the public service broadcasters (PSBs_ remain the only genuine Champion of Comedy talent development - from grassroots initiatives to writers' rooms and pilots.

'Nearly every British comedy star lighting up screens globally today took their first steps with the BBC or one of the other PSBs.

‘Yet this ecosystem faces unprecedented challenges. Funding pressures and shifting consumption patterns threaten the very foundations of British comedy. This report makes clear: without decisive action from broadcasters, policymakers, and industry partners, the future of this uniquely British cultural and economic asset hangs in the balance.’

The report called for urgent action from both the TV industry and the Government to protect this ‘jewel in the UK’s cultural crown’.

It calls for

Government support for sustainable and futureproof public-service broadcasting, recognising the jeopardy the ecosystem faces
Supporting the financing of scripted comedy at all levels, including updating the tax credits system
Partnership between organisations including PSBs, streamers, screen agencies and distributors, to increase the volume of comedy produced in the UK
Investment in comedy-specific skills and opportunities
Exploring innovation in new forms of comedy content

The report finds that the British TV comedy sector supports around 2,050 jobs, with PSB spending on comedy content responsible for 45% of this.

Those jobs across the UK's creative industries, from writers and performers to technical crews and production staff, ‘develop transferable skills that strengthen the wider entertainment industry’, the report said.

It also boasted of the BBC’s ability to unite audiences across generations and regions with comedy. Eight of the 10 most-watched scripted comedy shows in the UK in 2024 appearing on the BBC - see the table below.

The BBC is the largest commissioner of UK first-run comedy, putting £67.1million into TV comedy in 2024, more than double the spend from each of the other broadcasters and streamers.

The report adds: ‘The BBC is widely recognised for backing emerging talent and taking risk to work with people early in their careers, which underpins the UK’s comedy talent pipeline.’

It said targeted tax credits for scripted comedy would support productions across the whole comedy ecosystem, not just the top end.

Some of the biggest names in UK comedy, also spoke of the BBC’s place.

Sharon Horgan said: ‘The BBC gave me my first break really because I entered the BBC New Comedy Awards in 2001 [and won]. That was the first time I had something on the telly because then we got to film the sketches and then it was broadcast.

‘So for a first timer that was really exciting. I think that nurturing thing is very specific to the BBC. ... It's been 20 odd years now and I'm still working with the BBC because of that."

James Corden added: ‘The ability to take risks sets the BBC apart –whether on Human Remains, Marion and Geoff, Alan Partridge, Have I Got News For You – [they're all] extraordinary examples of the BBC being able to take risks that others couldn’t.'

And Guz Khan said: ‘British humour is probably one of our largest exports culturally around the world.’

UK’s most watched scripted comedies in the 2024/24 financial year