BBC Studios just released its annual report, and the financial highlights are impressive: record revenue of £2.2B and profits of £228M, largely fueled by global partnerships and strategic content investments. One standout detail? Disney continues to be a key partner, especially in the worldwide rollout of Doctor Who.
But that’s not the only story here.
BBC Studios also credited the massive success of Bluey, now the most-streamed show in the U.S., as a driver of its growth. The studio is backing an upcoming Bluey movie with one of the biggest investments of Director Tom Fussell’s tenure. Additionally, they recently acquired the remaining 50% of BritBox International in a £255M deal, with an eye toward building more direct-to-consumer platforms that ensure long-term revenue and greater control.
Despite these wins, Fussell also acknowledged the scripted funding crisis plaguing the industry, noting that the squeeze started in kids and family content, moved into UK comedy, and is now hitting drama and natural history. The takeaway? Even major studios are having to pivot slates and aim for lower-budget content, ideally in the £1M to £3M per hour range, to meet shifting market demands.
Here’s why this matters for independent producers and financiers:
- Global partnerships can future-proof your projects
- Owning your route to market (via platforms like BritBox) gives long-term security
- Budgets matter more than ever—creativity must match sustainability
Check out the full article here:
https://deadline.com/2025/07/sdoctor-who-bbc-studios-disney-is-key-partn...
What financing strategies are you exploring to stay ahead of the curve? Have you considered international partners, streamers, or even building your own path to market?
2 people like this
Good news for BBC. "- Budgets matter more than ever—creativity must match sustainability" - this statement is absolutely true as ever before. With film and tv budgets under renewed scrutiny amidst belt tightening, knowing the market-focused, actual cost to create your production, with the highest production value, at the most economical price point is critical.