Popular shows to move to Scotland

TV shows such as the Weakest Link, Newsnight Review and Question Time are to move to Scotland, as part of the BBC's pledge on Scottish programming.

Last year the broadcaster's director general, Mark Thompson, said he had set a target of 9% of network programmes to be produced in Scotland by 2016.

Other programmes which will be produced in Glasgow by 2012 also include Alan Yentob's Imagine series.

BBC Scotland's head of programmes said it would dramatically increase output.

Currently, just over 3%, or approximately £38m, of the BBC's annual budget is spent on programme-making in Scotland.

But in a speech to the Royal Television Society, the corporation's director of vision, Jana Bennett, said 50% of its network shows would be made outside London by 2016.

'Creative clusters'

She described the pledge as "a radical shift in the whole set up of broadcasting".

Seven existing BBC locations; Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast, London, Bristol, Salford/Manchester and Birmingham will see their production output boosted if the plans are approved.

The broadcaster said the changes would boost local employment and create creative clusters of both BBC and independent programme-makers across the UK.

Maggie Cunningham, the head of BBC Scotland programmes, said: "Our new studios in Pacific Quay and Dumbarton are already producing a wide range of programmes for audiences here in Scotland and throughout the UK - but this should dramatically increase our output over the next few years."

Independent producer Mentorn will be producing Question Time, one of the BBC's leading political programmes, in Scotland by 2010.

The Weakest Link, Newsnight Review and Imagine will be produced north of the border by 2012.

Secretary of State for Scotland, Jim Murphy, said he looked forward to discussing the proposals in more detail.

He said: "I am a great admirer of BBC Scotland and I do believe that Glasgow already has a centre of broadcasting excellence at Pacific Quay.

"But the commitment by the BBC to invest in a production and commissioning centre there is a welcome acknowledgement of the positive creative contribution that Scotland already makes to BBC broadcast output, and can only be an incentive for more talent to stay in Scotland, as will the move of flagship programmes such as Question Time and Newsnight Review."

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