Radio indies buoyed by BBC quota change
A significant change in the way the BBC commissions radio programmes could give regional independent producers a major boost.
Following a review by the BBC Trust a further 10% of radio programming will be opened up to independents on top of the 10% quota already in place.
The move will bring demand for radio material more in line with television where the BBC must buy in 25% of programmes from independent companies.
It is part of a range of measures published yesterday by the BBC Trust designed to improve the commissioning process and give licence fee payers better value.
Ashley Byrne, pictured, creative director at Made in Manchester which produces radio 
material for the BBC’s national stations, began lobbying for an increase in the quota two years ago.
He said: “If public service broadcasting is to survive in the UK, the BBC must embrace the independent production sector. We really wanted the 25% quota that you see in TV but this is a huge step in the right direction.”
He added: “What I want to see now is the BBC work out how it might be able to engage more with indies outside London. Putting the quota up is great but they must now look at how they implement that increase to reflect the diversity of the UK.”
Other regional producers who stand to benefit from the change include All Out, Smooth Operations, Outloud Media and Crosslab.
