How much of that expenditure is in the Midlands?

Precise figures are hard to come by. However a conservative estimate would be in the region of £60 million to £75 million per annum is spent on making local and network television across the Midlands. About half of that is spent by the BBC, and the remainder is spent by ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5. 

The public service broadcasters do not spend their content budgets equitably across the UK. The BBC only allocates 2.7% of its network televsion budget to the Midlands (and this is shared with the East of England) . We are currently researching data for regional production expenditure amongst all the Public Service Broadcasters, with the aim of publishing this in the spring of 2025.

In recent decades, we have seen reductions in Midlands regional production, although efforts have been made to increase production recently by ITV and Channel 4. The PSB with the smallest budget for production is Channel 5, but they have a better record than others for producing content in the Midlands, particularly in Birmingham. 

A concern that we have is that the profile of the Midlands region in the national consciousness has significantly diminished - thanks to a broadcasting establishment that divides England into two areas: London and 'outside the M25'. This last designation is often seen as being one large area, somewhere north of Watford. In fact, there are several component and separate parts to the nation. It is too simple to think of England as being divided into two parts. The Government uses 9 regions for England when allocating expenditure and collating statistics. We believe that Ofcom and the broadcasters should take a more accurate view of regional production, rather than the simplistic and inaccurate "Outside the M25" approach that we currently get.

Somewhere in the middle, not being north or south, the East & West Midlands have become ignored and largely forgotten regions. The 11 million people who live here do not see themselves, their localities, hear their voices or get the chance to share their talents and creativity as easily as some other - more recognised - parts of the country can.

The case for the Midlands: Population

The case for the Midlands: Historical perspective