As many of you will know, last week Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision delivered an important address to the Royal Television Society on the future of BBC production. Beyond the M25: A BBC for all of the UK outlined the BBC’s commitment to commissioning 50% of all production outside London by 2016. You can read the whole speach here. Jana Bennett spoke of the importance of a more joined-up approach to development and the BBC’s plans to invest in “sustainable creative centres” outside of London. Bristol, along with Birmingham and Salford will “reinvent the English regions as a centre of network television production excellence”.

Bristol’s important role as a centre of excellence in natural history and factual production was highlighted as was the growth of drama in Bristol and the South West, with particular reference given to series such as Mistresses and Lark Rise to Candleford. Jana Bennett also spoke directly about the potential move of Bristol-based drama Casualty from Bristol to Cardiff, however, was clear that the decision was not yet final.

Any decision to move Casualty from its Bristol home will be based on a cost and value for money analysis, guaranteeing “value for money for licence payers”. This news is to be welcomed and South West Screen and partners are now working closely with the BBC on this next stage of analysis, continuing the campaign to keep Casualty in Bristol.