MAM
Ofcom confirms BBC independent production quota
MUMBAI: The BBC in the UK has achieved an independent production quota of 28.8 per cent in 2003 – 2004. Regulatory body Ofcom has confirmed this in its Communications Market Review report.
The quota that the BBC had to meet was 25 per cent. Across the BBC’s channels, including its digital services, the BBC had commissioned more than 2,300 hours from independent production houses in 2003 – 2004. The highest proportion of independent hours was in entertainment with 47 per cent. This was followed by 37 per cent for the documentary genre.
The BBC had commissioned 175 independent companies and spent £308 million. Independent spend has increased by 64 per cent (£120m) since 2000/1.Ofcom’s confirmation comes on the heels of an announcement made several days ago that the BBC and Pact, which represents independent UK TV producers, had completed negotiations and signed a terms of trade agreement. As per this content copyright will rest with the producers.
BBC Television director Jana Bennett added, “When I came in as director of television, I said we would meet and exceed the quota from then on. From my first full year of business, and with Endemol re-classified, we have achieved a figure well above the quota and well beyond the inclusion of Endemol hours.
“I am committed to staying well above the quota in this current year and in the years to come. Underlying these actual statistics is the need for us to keep supporting creatively what independent supply has to offer across the UK and across all programming and genres.”
Brands
Sony Pictures Networks India names Shruti Aneja as lead – agency partnerships & key network initiatives
Aneja takes charge to deepen agency ties and boost revenue across Spni channels
MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Networks India has appointed Shruti Aneja as lead – agency partnerships, signalling a fresh focus on closer collaboration with advertising agencies and a sharper push for revenue growth across its channel portfolio.
In her new role, Aneja will chart strategic engagement with agencies, unlock new revenue streams, and nurture long-term partnerships. Her mission includes driving sales performance, adding value for clients, and delivering inventive solutions for advertisers — cementing Spni’s position as a preferred media partner.
Aneja brings over 12 years of experience with Spni, having risen through the ranks from manager to associate vice president. She has led high-performing sales teams across key clusters including sony hindi gec, free-to-air channels, and english entertainment channels like pix, axn and bbc earth.
Her track record includes driving integrated ad sales for popular shows such as Celebrity MasterChef, Indian Idol and Superstar Singer, pioneering first-time brand integrations, and repositioning channels for maximum impact in both urban and rural markets.
Aneja’s approach combines content-first thinking with solution-led selling, focusing on empathy, insight and storytelling that resonates with audiences and brands alike. Colleagues praise her knack for building trust with agencies and clients while spotting innovative ways to convert ideas into revenue.
With this appointment, Spni aims to strengthen its agency relationships and continue delivering compelling advertising solutions that combine creativity with performance.
