Written by on Mar 20, 2012. Posted in Incentive News

Ireland faces stiff TV location filming competition from UK

Ireland will face stiff competition from the UK if, as expected, the British Government announces a TV filming incentive this week. Spending on TV production in Ireland on shows like Camelot has outstripped the film industry in recent years, but a UK TV incentive may threaten this figure.

Of course Ireland has a lot more going for it besides filming incentives and the national industry may be banking on the country’s stunning scenery to give it the edge over its neighbour. That said, there are also calls to extend the existing incentive programme to 2020 to give TV producers long-term security, the Irish Times reports.

Whatever response the Government makes should hinge on the details, but we have got to stay competitive.

Torlach Denihan, Ibec

Torlach Denihan is Audio-Visual Director at employers’ confederation Ibec and spoke to the outlet: “Whatever response the Government makes should hinge on the details, but we have got to stay competitive.”

More than EUR240 million was spent on TV production in 2010 (film spending was EUR117 million) and the 2011 figures are expected to be similar. The BBC has already confirmed it will be spending EUR11 million in Ireland this year on projects including period drama Ripper Street.