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."