Exclusive Interview: BBC Studios’ Tim Davie

PREMIUM: BBC Studios’ CEO Tim Davie tells World Screen about some of the benefits of the organization’s new structure.

As the cost of high-end programming continues to escalate, many companies are seeing the value in combining their production and distribution businesses. One such example is BBC Worldwide and BBC Studios, which are merging operations under the name BBC Studios. Jointly led by Davie and Chief Creative Officer Mark Linsey, BBC Studios will focus on premium British content. While maintaining the production companies BBC Worldwide had invested in, BBC Studios will look at opportunistic investments in top British talent.

WS: What motivated the decision to merge BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide into one entity?
DAVIE: The decision to merge BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide is a natural step that brings us into line with the industry and was catalyzed by market changes. Combining in this way will underpin both businesses for the future, and bring benefits to our ultimate stakeholders, the BBC’s license-fee payers.

WS: How will this new structure allow BBC Studios to make investments in content that others cannot?
DAVIE: As a combined company, BBC Studios will have an unrivaled focus on British IP. The focus will continue to be on genres the BBC is well known and respected for both in the U.K. and across the globe, from drama, entertainment and factual, including natural history.

WS: How will you be sharing responsibilities with Mark Linsey?
DAVIE: I have been asked to take on the role of CEO for BBC Studios, with Mark taking up the reins of the chief creative officer. Mark will provide creative leadership right across the new BBC Studios, and will be responsible for the strategy, financial performance and quality of all our production activity worldwide. He will work closely alongside me to drive the vision, strategy and operations of the merged company.

Together, along with our recently announced executive committee, we will focus on ensuring that the future vision and ambitions of BBC Studios are realized.

WS: How does this new structure position BBC Studios when it’s seeking partners to produce high-end programming?
DAVIE: The new structure will see BBC Studios focus on a single business plan and a combined operating model, bringing efficiency and speed and [making sure we are] best able to service partners.

WS: BBC Studios has investments in third-party production companies. Do you plan to invest in more production entities or other companies?
DAVIE: BBC Worldwide has a long and strong history of working with independent production companies as a supportive shareholder and partner. We are committed to these partnerships and will continue to explore investment opportunities, with best-in-class British talent wanting a connection to the BBC Group.

WS: How have BBC Earth, BBC Brit and BBC First been received by viewers? How do you choose in which countries to launch a given channel brand?
DAVIE: Our branded genre channels continue to do well in the markets where they operate. For example, BBC First topped its competitor set in Benelux and extended its reach in the Netherlands last year, where it took advertising for the first time. BBC Earth debuted strongly as a joint venture in India in 2017 and bene­fited from the year’s blue-chip natural-history titles such as Planet Earth II and, more recently, Blue Planet II. A notable success for BBC Brit was in South Africa, where it has cemented its position. Where we launch is decided on a case-by-case [basis] and on the individual needs of the markets we are exploring.

WS: Are there plans to launch more digital streaming services? What would they offer?
DAVIE: We take a market-by-market approach to launching digital services. For example, we have BBC Player, a channel companion TV Everywhere app, which we launched last year in Singapore and Malaysia. In March 2017, in partnership with ITV plc, we launched BritBox, a subscription video-on-demand service built around British television in the U.S., with AMC Networks, as a minority shareholder. The ser­vice features the largest collection of classic Doctor Who as well as continuing dramas such as EastEnders and Emmerdale within 24 hours of the U.K. transmission. The service also launched in Canada in February of this year.

WS: As you look ahead 12 to 24 months, what are your priorities for BBC Studios?
DAVIE: It’s an exciting time, and I am very much looking forward to opportunities that lie ahead. As we are at the very start of this new adventure, it is too early to set out all of our priorities. However, our focus will continue to center around creating, securing and showcasing the highest-quality British content to audiences in the U.K. and across the globe. That, in turn, will ensure we can continue to support our ongoing commitment to delivering the highest-quality programming and financial returns for BBC-license-fee payers, and to audiences around the world.