Netflix today became the latest industry player to commit to the ScreenSkills Unscripted TV Skills Fund.
Following a commitment from Channel 5 last month, both join the partners – the BBC, Channel 4, Sky, A+E Networks UK and Discovery UK – who were on board when the new fund launched this summer after more than three years of discussions across industry.
Brandon Riegg, VP, Unscripted and Documentary Series, made Netflix the latest industry player to back the fund with an announcement during a debate at the Royal Television Society convention in Cambridge on how the global demand for production skills and talent has never been higher.
He said: "We’re delighted to work alongside our industry partners, ScreenSkills and Pact to support the Unscripted TV Skills Fund. The fund will invest matched contributions from broadcasters and productions to address skills shortages, build a more inclusive workforce and future-proof the industry by helping the UK to retain its world class position as a hub of creativity and best-in class crew."
Sinead Rocks, Managing Director, Nations and Regions, Channel 4, and chair of the steering group of contributing broadcasters, SVoDs and producers who oversee the fund’s strategic objectives and operational efficacy, welcomed the news.
“The Unscripted TV Skills Fund is a collective effort across our industry to address acknowledged skills gaps and shortages and it’s great news that both Channel 5 and Netflix are now also on board,” she said.
Jane Muirhead, Managing Director, Raise the Roof, and chair of the Unscripted TV Skills Council, said: “The new Unscripted TV Skills Fund is designed to ensure that we can continue to invest in finding and training the behind-the-camera talent and crew who are vital to producing a wide range of unscripted genres. We welcome more partners in this mission.”
Ben Frow, Chief Content Officer, ViacomCBS Networks UK said last month that Channel 5 would contribute to the Unscripted TV Skills Fund as part of a broader commitment to boosting industry learning and development.