BBC in pledge to boost West Midlands spending to £40m

THE BBC has committed its future to the West Midlands by signing a second memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the West Midlands Combined Authority and Create Central as part of its ‘Across the UK’ strategy.

- ROBSON MCCALLISTER News Reporter

It will ensure network television production spend in the West Midlands nearly doubles from £24m to £40m a year by the end of 2027.

‘The BBC has already relocated its regional Midlands HQ to the Tea Factory site in Digbeth, and moved a number of productions there, including Silent Witness.

‘Analysis commissioned by the BBC forecasts additional investment since 2021 will bring an additional £282 million of benefit by 2031.

BBC Director-General Tim Davie said: “This is another transformative moment for the creative industries in the West Midlands. The MOU will significantly boost investment in skills, opportunity and talent for local people, as well as stories from the region in BBC programmes.

“Our agreement with the WMCA and Create Central deepens our partnership with the West Midlands to secure its place as a world-class centre for film and TV production”

Richard Parker, mayor of the West Midlands, said: “The BBC’s investment is vital because our TV and creative industries are fast becoming powerhouses of our regional economy. Hits like Peaky Blinders put the West Midlands on the world stage and brought our first major studio.