Steven Knight called on U.S. streaming platforms to make financial contributions to a UK talent fund during SXSW London earlier this month [1], [2].
The proposal addresses the sustainability of the British creative pipeline. As global platforms rely heavily on UK-based writers and producers, Knight argues that these companies have a responsibility to reinvest in the local workforce that fuels their content [1], [2].
Knight specifically mentioned Netflix as a platform that should participate in this arrangement [1], [3]. He framed the request not as a formal government levy, but as a fair, two-way contribution between the industry and the creators [2], [3].
"U.S. streamers should put money into the UK talent fund to help grow the next generation of British creators," Knight said [1].
The creator of the Peaky Blinders franchise and writer for the upcoming James Bond film emphasized the human element of the tech industry [1]. He suggested that the corporate leadership behind these platforms must recognize their social obligations to the artists they employ [2].
"The people who are responsible for lots of these tech things need to understand that they're human too, and they've got a responsibility," Knight said [2].
Knight described the relationship between the streaming giants and the UK creative sector as a reciprocal partnership [2]. He noted that the current dynamic allows platforms to profit from local talent without providing a structured mechanism for long-term development [1].
"It's a two-way street," Knight said [2].
The discussion comes amid ongoing conversations regarding the role of UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy in shaping the creative economy [2]. Knight's call for voluntary contributions seeks to avoid the friction of legislative mandates, while still securing funding for emerging artists [2].
“"U.S. streamers should put money into the UK talent fund to help grow the next generation of British creators."”
This push for a talent fund reflects a growing tension between the high-profit margins of global streaming services and the precarious nature of creative labor in the UK. By framing the contribution as a moral responsibility rather than a tax, Knight is attempting to create a sustainable funding model for new creators without triggering the corporate lobbying typically associated with formal government levies.
