Pact Releases Survey on Importance of British Kids' Content

LONDON, February 27: A poll commissioned by the British
independent producers association Pact has shown that parents in the U.K. place
a high value on locally produced content for their kids.

The poll, conducted by YouGov, sampled 2,551 adults across
the U.K. It found that 66 percent of parents believe original children’s
programming provides families with “shared cultural experiences.” Seventy
percent believe that original British children’s programs contribute to the
market’s “cultural identity.” Further, 73 percent said that local content
encouraged kids to “read and play imaginatively,” and 73 percent agreed that
original productions in the U.K. are particularly important in the multichannel
age. Only 21 percent said that shows from other countries are just as high
quality and family friendly as kids’ series produced in the U.K.

Mike Watts, the managing director of Novel Entertainment and
chair of Pact’s children’s and animation policy group, said: “There’s a real
danger that children’s programs in the U.K., which are clearly important to
parents, will cease to be made. Investment in new U.K. children’s programming
is close to a collapse, with dire consequences for the future of the sector.
There needs to be an urgent debate about this across society and government.”

John McVay, the chief executive of Pact, added: “According
to the YouGov poll, 77 percent of parents have fond memories of classic
children’s programs and feel their children would appreciate watching them. As
a parent I’m not surprised by this statistic, I like watching my favorite kids’
programs with my own children. Will I be part of the last generation of parents
able to do this?”