The New Statesman: politics and culture Tax Netflix now! | Peter Kosminsky interview
Jul 26, 2025
Peter Kosminsky, an acclaimed director and writer known for the BBC's adaptation of Wolf Hall, shares his insights on the troubled state of British television. He passionately argues for government support of public broadcasting amidst fierce competition from streaming giants. Kosminsky emphasizes the importance of storytelling in addressing societal issues and discusses the challenges of maintaining high-quality content. He also critiques the pressures on the BBC's independence and calls for a 'streamer's levy' to ensure investment in local programming.
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Crisis in British TV Funding
- British TV remains high quality with vast choices for viewers except niche public service programs. - Streamers focus on global appeal, leaving uniquely British stories underfunded and at risk.
Creators' Sacrifices Save Productions
- Production teams made personal financial sacrifices to keep shows like Wolf Hall alive. - Mark Rylance and others accepted pay cuts to prevent shutdown of costly television projects.
Streaming Levy Explained
- Streamers earn vast subscription revenues in the UK but avoid tax and public service obligations. - A 5% levy on these revenues could fund British public service broadcasting through the BFI.
