Scottish Screen Corporate Plan

Scottish Screen – Corporate Plan
• The divergence and fragmentation of audiences and markets
• The emergence of and demand for new business models
• The ongoing demand for high quality screen content
• The ongoing need and demand for a plurality of ‘voices’
2.2.8 The new regulatory framework for public service broadcasting in the UK was set out
by Ofcom in early 2009, with the UK Government expected to produce a wider
communications strategy, Digital Britain, in the summer of 2009.
2.2.9 The BBC has announced their intention to increase the volume and value of network
television production from Scotland over the coming seven years to a floor of 9%.
Channel 4 has launched their 4IP initiative in collaboration with investment partners
across the UK including Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Screen. STV has recently
restructured their production division with the intention of increasing the volume and
value of production.
2.2.10 Scottish Enterprise is currently preparing an economic development strategy for
broadcasting in line with a specific recommendation within the Scottish Broadcasting
Commission report.
2.3 Social
2.3.1 Scotland has the second highest number of cinema admissions per capita in the UK
(after London), adding up to almost 16m admissions each year, with more than
500,000 admissions in specialist venues. However, if you live outside of a major
urban area, you will be severely limited in your access.
2.3.2 Moving images dominate global communication. This most popular of art forms is
also a highly evolved, dense and multi-layered language, and true literacy in the 21st
century must include moving image media literacy. However, notwithstanding
significant progress in some areas of educational policy development, moving image
education and media literacy have not yet found their place at the heart of
educational provision where they belong.
2.3.3 The ‘digital divide’, where geography, socio economic grouping and age all
significantly affect the reach of broadband internet access, is more extreme in
Scotland than in any other part of the UK.
2.4 Technological
2.4.1 The means of production, distribution and consumption are being revolutionised
through digital technologies. This is reducing the cost of entry for both producers and
consumers and demanding new business models and new skill sets to reflect and
exploit these cultural and commercial opportunities. Furthermore, ‘screen’ is no
longer limited to film or television for most people. Scotland’s screen industries
(including film, television, video, interactive, web, animation and computer games)
must be at the forefront of this technological revolution, being supported in seizing
these opportunities.
2.4.2 The UK will complete the transition to digital television broadcasting and switch off its
analogue television signal in 2012, with Ofcom and the UK Government still
considering options for utilising the freed-up spectrum – the ‘digital dividend’.
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