John McVay


Pact links UK indies with US commissioners

The UK independent producers association Pact has launched an app that connects its members with commissioners from US channels. The TV Commissions app goes live tomorrow with full details for 70 executives that commission for US channels and more will be added over time. The free app launch comes as UK producers increasingly target US […]

UK producers lobby for kids live-action tax break

The UK independent producers association Pact will start a lobbying effort aimed at securing a tax break for live-action kids programming later today. Pact boss John McVay will make the case for the new tax break at the Childrren’s Media Conference, which is taking place in Sheffield this week. He will tell CMC delegates that […]

UK indies seek dialogue with new Channel 5 owner Viacom

Independent producers in the UK are seeking to meet with top executives from new Channel 5 owner Viacom to discuss programming plans and build relationships. UK indies trade body Pact yesterday issued a release that said the sector would seek to meet Viacom “very soon”. The body noted indies had regularly met with Northern & […]

Pact launches UK tax break campaign

UK production lobbying body Pact is calling on the British government to implement a tax break for children’s TV producers. The country saw a tax credit system introduced last year, which has lead to new productions in drama and animation, but Pact wants this taken a step further and applied to all children’s TV production. […]

Canuck animation delegation seeks UK copro opportunities

A delegation of Canadian animators and broadcasters is in the UK this week seeking to forge relationships with the local industry and capitalise on the country’s toon tax credit system. The British Columbia delegation will spend two days networking in London before travelling to Manchester for meetings with MediaCityUK-based BBC Children’s and local toon firm […]

BBC agrees new terms of trade with UK indies

The BBC has agreed new terms for commissioning independent productions with UK trade association Pact (Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television). The deal, which the BBC hailed as “groundbreaking,” includes the extension of the BBC iPlayer window from seven to 30 days, following BBC director general Tony Hall’s plan, announced last week, to launch an […]

Pact: Channel 5 attitude toward indies ‘worrying’

UK producer body Pact has labelled the terrestrial broadcaster Channel 5’s relationship with local indies “worrying” following results from a new survey. Pact’s membership survey rated Channel 5 as ‘disappointing’ at best in key areas of concern – ‘appreciation of cash flow issues’, ‘dealings regarding terms of trade’ and ‘getting paid on time’. This compared […]