At the same time, the BBC was clear that creating new IP was inherently uncertain and high-stakes: it told us that success was unpredictable, describing commissioning as a “spread-betting game” in which some developments would fail even when strategic bets were well-judged. It also said it therefore needed to “get there early,” working proactively to identify promising UK writers and partners at an early stage to improve the odds of success in a competitive market.48 The BBC 43 BBC Group Annual Report and Accounts 2024–25, p. 76 and Q 44 44 Qq 41, 44 45 Qq 43-44 46 Qq 41, 44 47 Qq 41-42 48 Q 46 13 also noted “chill winds” across the wider production sector, which added to execution risk even as the BBC seeks to expand its pipeline of BBC owned titles.49