Introduction

Since 2016, the British Army has provided assistance to a variety of TV productions both ‘under contract’ and ‘out of contract’.

What is Out of Contract?

Unlike ‘under contract’, the Army does not keep a comprehensive list of projects for out of contract TV productions.

They are programmes that are broader than Defence but present opportunities for messaging and reputation building that:

• Are low in risk;
• Do not entail filming on the Defence Training Estate; and
• Are not bespoke.

Information About Support Provided to TV Productions

Following an approach from a production company, and prior to agreeing to support a filming project, conversations will occur with said enquirer to understand the nature of the request and assess the opportunities for messaging and reputation building for the Army.

If it is decided to proceed, further conversations and meetings will occur, including, if appropriate, reconnaissance with the Army providing an insight into its activities in order to ensure the production company has a full understanding of the subject matter concerned.

If the production company secures a broadcasters commission, the Army’s communication branch will move towards contract support.

During the course of this stage, a project officer from the business area providing filming support will be appointed. It is this officer’s responsibility to provide further in-depth background briefs and recommendations for filming opportunities prior to the letting of a contract, plus post contract during filming.

In Contract Productions

The table below outlines the TV productions to which the Army has provided support under contract.

Year	Programme
2016	British Army Girls
2016	Raw Recruits
2016	CBBC’s Absolute Genius with Dick and Dom
2016	Top Gear
2016	Not the Grand Tour
2016	Guy Martin’s WW1 Tank
2016	The Millies
2017	God’s Soldiers
2017	Army: Behind the New Frontlines
2017	Beacons Uncovered
2017	Women at War: 100 Years of Service
2017	Op MAGIC
2017	Supertruckers
2018	Blue Peter: Tank Commander
2018	CBBC’s Deadly Dinosaurs with Steve Buckshall
2018	CBBC’s Beyond Bionic with Andy Torbet
2019	Raw Recruits 2
2019	The Para’s: Men of War
2019	Blue Peter: King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery
2019	Her Majesty’s Cavalry
2019	Top Gear
2019	James Bond: No Time to Die
2019	Downton Abbey
2019	Inside the Bomb Squad
2019	Gurkhas v Everest
2019	Jason Fox: Return to Afghanistan
2019	Goodbye Christopher Robin
2019	The Crown
2020	Guy Martin’s Battle of Britain
2020	Coldstream Guards (still filming as of January 2021)

Reference

FOI 2020/13877 dated 20 January 2021.