economic & cultural impact assessments
We provide sector sizing and value chain/flow of funds assessments to inform policy debates. We also offer sectorial economic impact measurement (direct, indirect and induced), as well as broader cultural and social impact measurement across media, sport and the creative industries. Assignments include:
An annual review of the UK television production sector for the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television (Pact). We conducted an in-depth analysis of producer revenues to help size the market and outlined the key characteristics and historic trends of the television production landscape within the UK
A review of multichannel investment in UK television programming for the Commercial Broadcasters Association (COBA). This report investigated total levels of investment in UK content made by COBA members and the trends affecting the sector
Three reviews of the impact of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive on content investment flows for the European Commission
An assessment of the regional impact of the screen industries including the development of third party surveys to calculate regional multipliers
A study of the contribution of the UK based film, TV and TV related industries to the UK economy and growth prospects
An assessment of the economic and social impact of TV production clusters across the UK
An assessment of the impact of a relocation of Channel 4’s corporate activities
mergers & competition reviews
We support major media brands involved in some of the most significant mergers and acquisitions in our sectors, providing advice and evidence for anti-trust and regulatory clearance processes. Our work typically involves a number of complex workstreams, including sizing the audiovisual market and its sub-sectors across multiple markets, as well as detailed analysis of competitor performance. Recent assignments include:
Helping The Walt Disney Company in its acquisition of 21st Century Fox, by providing merger clearance support across 31 EEA territories
Competition clearance support for Banijay’s acquisition of Endemol Shine Group across 12 key global territories
Evidence on the impact of premium sports rights on the UK pay TV market, and potential interventions
Advice on how potential mergers in UK TV advertising and radio sales might impact consumers and advertisers
Assessment of likely competitive issues arising from consolidation in the European sports media rights sales markets
policy framing & development
We offer our clients further support on a wide range of ad-hoc issues which impact upon the regulatory landscape. Recent assignments include:
A significant review of the online media market in the UK to help our client understand the current state of play and likely future developments. This involved sizing the market through an analysis of the sector’s various revenue streams as well as an examination of the key players’ business models
A review of the European audiovisual media regulatory landscape, in the context of an important period for European audiovisual regulation, with the transposition of the Audiovisual Media Services and Copyright Directives in 2020 and 2021 respectively, we explored broadcasters’ policy priorities vis-à-vis the online environment. We reviewed the current regulation and analysed likely trends and forces for change to impact regulation, in addition to conducting industry interviews with a range of European broadcasters across five markets
expert testimony
We provide expert witness testimony for tribunals, arbitration procedures and legal disputes in areas such as sports rights, TV rights, music rights, TV production and facilities contracts, TV and radio distribution contracts.
regulatory and policy impact assessments
We help assess the likely economic and social impact of changes in regulation, tax credits and expanded or contracted public sector investment and provision.
Specific recent assignments include:
An assessment of the sectorial impact of an end to territoriality across the EU of both sports media rights and TV IP rights
An assessment of the economic impact of specific tax credits for TV and film production, wider industrial policy and quotas or levies in the UK, EU, Australia and Canada
A review of the competition and public value impact of proposed new and existing PSB TV, radio and online services