§ Mr. BakerTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if he will make a statement in respect of his policy towards the percentage of home-produced material broadcast on SkyTV. [97590]
§ Janet Anderson[holding answer 8 November 1999]: In line with all EU broadcasters, BSkyB has an obligation to comply with the requirements of articles 4 and 5 of the Broadcasting Directive so far as European and independently produced content is concerned. Sky has committed itself to steadily increasing the amount of UK produced material both in its general channels and in new ones. Sky One is this year aiming to have 50 per cent. UK content during prime time and 40 per cent. European content overall, and will spend £20 million in original home-produced production. Sky Pictures annually produces 10 films to be shown on Sky Premier, plus 40 hours of original drama and up to 40 hours of comedy. In addition, Sky sport channels, with 20,000 hours of programming each year, have a majority of home produced material. Sky News and Sky Sports News contain nearly 100 per cent. home produced material.