Archive · 24 Jul 2025
UK Broadcasting Union, Producers Unite To End "Broken Turnaround"
Imagine you work on a TV show and have to work long hours.
Sometimes, you're asked to come back to work too soon after finishing.
This is called "broken turnaround."
A union and a trade group in the UK want to stop this.
They've made an agreement to eliminate it, meaning workers would get more rest.
They are also talking to big companies like BBC Studios to make sure it happens.
Research shows this problem is getting better, and they hope to make the work environment healthier for everyone.
UK broadcasting union Bectu and producer trade body Pact issued a joint statement.
The statement pledges to eliminate "broken turnaround" in the TV industry.
"Broken turnaround" refers to requiring crew to return to work in less than 11 hours.
Bectu and Pact are inviting BBC Studios, ITV, and the Personal Managers’ Association to a roundtable.
Research shows a circa-50% reduction in broken turnaround in the past two years.
- Who
- Bectu (union) and Pact (producer trade body), along with potential involvement from BBC Studios, ITV, and the Personal Managers’ Association.
- What
- A joint pledge to eliminate "broken turnaround" in the UK TV industry.
- When
- The pledge was made recently, following previous agreements in 2023.
- Where
- United Kingdom
- Why
- To improve working conditions and ensure crew members have adequate rest.
Union's Perspective
Producer's Perspective
Working Hours
Union's Perspective
Workers were frequently asked to break turnaround
Producer's Perspective
Production cost would rise by 4% if standard workday was reduced by 2 hours
- Organizations Involved
- Bectu, Pact
- Issue Addressed
- "Broken turnaround"
- Goal
- Eliminate broken turnaround
- Action
- Joint statement and roundtable discussion
- Reduction in last two years
- Approx. 50%