UK Networks & Prime Video Donate More To Film & TV Charity Following 800% Rise In Applications For Financial Help
deadline.comMajor UK broadcasters and Prime Video have pledged extra donations to the UK’s Film & TV Charity following an astonishing 800% rise in grant applications from workers struggling with the economic downturn.
The charity has also added an additional £500,000 ($636,000) to its budget as the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Prime agree further donations to its summer campaign.
Other partners are expected to add to the overall pot as the challenging period looks set to continue. The charity described the extra £500,000 as “unprecedented” and said the industry “faces critical economic conditions that could devastate the livelihood of professionals with long term consequences.” The move is the first by new charity CEO Marcus Ryder, a former BBC News exec who took over from Alex Pumfrey earlier this month and is due to speak this week at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
In July, there was an 800% rise in what’s known as ‘stop-gap grant applications’ compared to the prior year, and this has driven the charity to act.
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