Emergency Declared in U.K. Unscripted TV Following ‘Unprecedented’ Work Drought
variety.comK.J. Yossman U.K. broadcasting union Bectu has declared an emergency over the “unprecedented” lack of work in the unscripted TV sector so far this year.
Bectu head Philippa Childs said in a statement she is “deeply concerned” about reports that freelancers working in unscripted are “struggling to find work.” Childs was mandated to make the statement following the union’s national conference in Eastourne over the weekend, where a motion was carried from the union’s unscripted branch – which reps freelancers ranging from runners to exec producers in genres including factual entertainment, entertainment, documentary, non-scripted comedy, news, children, reality, live and natural history, among others – over the “uncharacteristic” lack of work.
The motion noted it has been “unusually quiet for freelancers in the unscripted genres, and many have not worked at all since January or earlier.” Bectu, which has implemented a survey to get some clarity on the scale of the issue and its impact on unscripted freelancers, is urging production companies, streamers and broadcasters to address the issue as a “matter of urgency.” Ideally, the union says, productions need to be green lit and budgets signed off ASAP.
Bectu is especially concerned that when work flow does return to normal levels there may not be enough workforce left to staff productions, with many freeelancers at all level having already left the industry during COVID.
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