ScreenSkills–BBC Study Urges Stronger Backing For Digital Creators

Research by Olsberg•SPI for ScreenSkills and the BBC finds growing overlap between film and television and the digital content creator (DCC) sector, and recommends clearer transition pathways, targeted training and improved safeguards.

The report, titled Creator Skills: Progression, Provision and Priorities and undertaken by global creative industries consultancy Olsberg•SPI, highlights that the lines between traditional screen production and creator-led output are increasingly blurred, but that support for cross-sector working remains patchy.

It urges greater help for DCCs seeking to move into film and TV, as well as assistance for established screen professionals transitioning into digital-first production environments.

The study also considers how film and TV organisations, creator-sector bodies and government could help the UK creator economy to progress, scale up and build sustainable businesses.

Researchers found many creators learn primarily through informal, practice-based routes and peer mentoring rather than formal courses.

They also report that digital platforms lower geographic barriers to entry across the UK nations and regions compared with television and film, where access to entry networks remains concentrated in London and other major cities.

According to the findings, creators need a broad mix of creative, business, technical and transversal capabilities. While core production skills such as filming and editing are foundational, platform literacy, strong storytelling, two-way audience engagement and resilience are the attributes that most often distinguish success.

The report notes substantial overlap in core creative and technical skills across the DCC and film/TV sectors, even if they are applied differently in practice.

As creators scale, legal and intellectual property knowledge, financial acumen and employment-management skills become increasingly important, particularly when entering commercial partnerships, hiring teams and protecting original formats.

It also flags online safety, harassment, isolation and wellbeing pressures as major challenges to sustaining creator careers, especially when audiences grow quickly without appropriate support structures.

Lisa Opie, Executive Chair of ScreenSkills, said: "The Digital Content Creator sector plays a significant part in the UK screen and creative economy, contributing more than £2.2bn to UK GDP and supporting thousands of jobs. This report shows that it's crucial for the film and TV industry to convene and continue to champion DCCs in the same way we support talent development and training within the wider screen industry, to enable DCCs to build lifelong transversal skills and secure future growth in the sector.

"While the screen industry has really embraced the DCC community over recent years, this study identifies the need for skills training in safeguarding and business best practices to be put in place for the future."

ScreenSkills recently named Sinéad Rocks as its new Chief Executive Officer.

www.screenskills.com/