BAI Announces funding of up to €25.5m for new television and radio programmes

BAI announces funding of up to €25.5m for new television and radio programmes The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (18th February 2010) announced that it is to make funding of up to €25.5m available for the production of new television and radio programmes over the next two years through Sound & Vision II – a Broadcasting Funding Scheme.

Sound & Vision II is funded by 7% of the net receipts of the TV license fee and is a revised version of the existing Sound & Vision scheme. The changes introduced in the revised scheme reflect the provisions of the Broadcasting Act 2009 and the outcomes of an operational review undertaken in 2008. The revised scheme was recently approved by the European Commission and the Minister for Communications Energy and Natural Resources and has been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. As part of the roll-out process for this scheme, the BAI has announced closing dates for the next three radio and television funding rounds. The BAI has also set out the maximum amount of funding that will be available for each round.

In the case of television the amount is €7m per round and in the case of radio it is €1.5m per round. The closing dates are being published to provide clarity for Broadcasters and Independent Producers in relation to the potential funds available over the next two years. The updated application documentation will be published on the BAI website shortly.

Commenting on the announcment, Michael O’Keeffe Chief Executive of the BAI said: “The recent European Commission approval of the revised Sound & Vision Scheme is very welcome news and will allow the BAI to continue to support the production of new, high quality television and radio programmes. While the revised scheme will continue to support programme making in the genres of Irish culture, heritage and experience and such programmes in the Irish language, it also includes the new programme themes of global affairs and media literacy. I am confident that the scheme will add to the diversity of programming available to viewers and listeners.”

Media Queries to:
Brian Furey BAI Tel: 01 644 1200 E: bfurey@bai.ie

Closing dates for Sound & Vision  
 Radio

Television

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