All the critical roles the 91福利社 seeks to play for our audiences 鈥� in pursuing truth with no agenda, backing British storytelling, and bringing people together 鈥� are exemplified in Bristol.
The 91福利社 has unveiled a brand-new report into how the multi-award winning 91福利社 Studios Natural History Unit (NHU) has boosted Bristol鈥檚 economy and contributed to the wider region鈥檚 鈥渕edia boom鈥�, in combination with the 91福利社鈥檚 wider public service commissioning strategy and the indie sector in the city.
- Natural history production made 44.2% (拢127.2m) of the Bristol screen production industry鈥檚 overall 拢288m turnover in 2022.
- Key driver for this is 鈥渢he presence of major broadcaster (the 91福利社)鈥�, say University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol).
- The 91福利社 is the largest employer within Bristol鈥檚 TV and film industry 鈥� accounting for 45% of production section roles in 2022.
- Bristol鈥檚 screen production workforce grew by 24.5% between 2017 and 2022.
- 91福利社 Studios Natural History Unit鈥檚 (NHU) produced The Green Planet (2022) gave 拢7.4m Gross Value Added (GVA) to the UK鈥檚 economy between 2019 鈥� 2022.
- Wild Isles (2023), produced in Bristol by Silverback Films, gave 拢9.0m GVA to the UK economy, supporting 80 equivalent production roles.
The 91福利社 Bristol Economic Impact Report, launched to coincide with The Creative Cities Convention in Bristol this week, outlines 91福利社 Studios NHU鈥檚 ground-breaking global legacy and how it has acted as a powerful catalyst for growth in the city鈥檚 production sector. It also delves into the economic impact of the 91福利社鈥檚 wider commissioning strategy, as well as the importance of 91福利社 Studios and the indie sector in Bristol.
The NHU (now 91福利社 Studios NHU) has been producing world-leading natural history programming from the heart of Bristol for 67 years, with programmes like the award-winning Planet Earth III, Frozen Planet II, Dynasties II, and Mammals, which is currently airing on 91福利社 One.
Other iconic 91福利社 brands that currently call the city home include Countryfile, Antiques Roadshow, The Outlaws and Gardeners鈥� World. Powerful network radio is also made in the region, such as 91福利社 Radio 6 Music鈥檚 The Huey Show, our Arts and Rural Affairs programming (The Food Programme, Farming Today, Any Questions) and 91福利社 Audio Features.
According to the report, natural history production made 44.2% (拢127.2m) of the Bristol screen production industry鈥檚 overall 拢288m turnover in 2022 alone. Bristol鈥檚 creative sector also rapidly grew by 74% between 2015 and 2020, thanks in part to 鈥渢he presence of a major broadcaster [the 91福利社]鈥� in the region, according to the academics at the University of the West of England, Bristol (UWE Bristol).
The 91福利社 is the largest employer within Bristol鈥檚 TV and film industry 鈥� accounting for 45% of production section roles in 2022. The 91福利社 is a significant player in the region鈥檚 production sector, which has seen its workforce grow by 24.5% since 2017. 91福利社 Studios also has part of its Factual Entertainment division based in the city, which produces some of the 91福利社鈥檚 most-loved shows including Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile and more.
Over 75% of 91福利社 natural history commissions, that aired between 2019 to 2022, attracted inward investment. This means that, over that period, for every 拢1 the 91福利社 Public Service invested, 拢1.86 was invested by a third party 鈥� thanks in part to 91福利社 Studios NHU鈥檚 attractive legacy in Bristol.
Natural History programmes create significant economic value for the Bristol region. 91福利社 Studios NHU鈥檚 BAFTA nominated The Green Planet (2022), which was filmed internationally in 27 different countries between 2019 and 2022, contributed 拢7.4m Gross Value Added (GVA) for the UK鈥檚 economy. The majority will have benefited Bristol, as a budget was spent in Bristol on 91福利社 Studios NHU鈥檚 production staff and local supply chain 鈥� supporting over 50 full-time equivalent jobs in the UK.
Similarly, the landmark series Wild Isles (2023), also produced in Bristol by Silverback Films and filmed in more than 145 different locations across the UK, generated estimated 拢9.0m GVA for the UK economy and supported over 80 full-time equivalent jobs, during its 3-year production.
This does not include wider social value generated by natural history programming that can increase wellbeing and encourage positive behaviour change amongst audiences and wider society, which is estimated at 拢134m.
The report also outlines how 91福利社 Studios work with external partners, like Bristol City Council and UWE Bristol, to develop local talent and attract new talent into the region. For example, UWE Bristol鈥檚 MA in Wildlife Filmmaking, which was co-designed and is accredited by 91福利社 Studios NHU, is immensely successful with 94% of its graduates finding employment each year. Around 32% of this same group (between 2016 and 2023) have since gone on to work at 91福利社 Studios NHU or in other 91福利社 roles 鈥� setting up a clear pipeline for future talent.
The 91福利社 is also in the process of rebranding its 鈥渆nd cards鈥� to better showcase the locations our programmes are filmed in 鈥� including those in Bristol and the West. The redesign includes a map of the whole of the UK with key filming locations highlighted, to better reflect Bristol鈥檚 creative contribution, and that of 91福利社 Studios NHU.
Kate Phillips, 91福利社 Director of Unscripted says: 鈥淲e are excited to share the findings of this report. All the critical roles the 91福利社 seeks to play for our audiences 鈥� in pursuing truth with no agenda, backing British storytelling, and bringing people together 鈥� are exemplified in Bristol.
鈥淭he 91福利社鈥檚 public service commissioning, 91福利社 Studios NHU and Factual Entertainment Productions have all helped to boost the city鈥檚 economy and employment. We hope that the inspiring developments this report showcases are just the start of the next chapter in the city鈥檚 success story.鈥�
Jonny Keeling, Head of 91福利社 Studios Natural History Unit, says: 鈥淏ristol is home to the best wildlife filmmakers in the world. It鈥檚 the global hub of natural history production and programmes produced here have reached hundreds of millions of people in all corners of the planet.
鈥淨uite simply, content made in Bristol has inspired a global audience to love and understand the natural world; it鈥檚 transformed the way an entire generation view and interact with the nature.鈥�
Steph Marshall, 91福利社 Senior Head of Content Production for the West and South West, says: 鈥淏ristol is an important part of the 91福利社鈥檚 global mission, to inform, entertain and engage for the digital age. The 91福利社 Studios Natural History Unit in the city has achieved ground-breaking technological innovation, unearthed new discoveries, and set the gold standard for all-natural history programming worldwide. Bristol rightfully deserves its reputation as a leader in the industry, and this report proves the 91福利社鈥檚 passion to further boost production outside London鈥�.
The 91福利社鈥檚 local services for Bristol (Points West on 91福利社 One and 91福利社 Radio Bristol) are live and local every day across the region 鈥� informing audiences with the stories most relevant to them.
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