The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (4th November) announced the award of funding totalling €1.5m to seven successful applicants under the first round of the new BAI Archiving Scheme.
The Scheme has been designed to provide funding support for the development of an archiving culture in the Irish broadcasting sector, contributing to the preservation of Ireland’s broadcasting heritage. There was a particular focus in the first round on historic programme material, which is under threat, either through its fragile physical condition or its existence on a soon-to-be obsolete format. The Scheme is financed through a percentage of the Broadcasting Fund, derived from the TV licence fee.
30 applications were received by the closing date of 11th April of this year, seeking funding of €8.4m. 26 valid applications were considered by an assessment panel made up of four independent experts and one representative of the BAI.
A list of the successful applicants and the amounts awarded is detailed in the attached table. The initiatives to be funded include: the archiving of news and current affairs content on Today FM (2000 – 2009) and TV3 (1998 to date); the archiving of RTÉ Television News (1985 – 1999); the archiving of a collection of audio acetate discs by RTÉ (1937 – 1971) and other projects from UTV, the Radharc Trust and community broadcaster, Northern Visions Limited.
Speaking about the announcement, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BAI said: “The volume of applications received under the first round clearly shows that Irish broadcasters are acutely aware of the need for measures to safeguard Ireland’s broadcasting heritage. The establishment of the Archiving Scheme has been an important development for both the broadcasting industry and Irish audiences. The Scheme was developed through engagement with a wide range of broadcasters and expert groups and I am confident that it will contribute to the preservation of Ireland’s broadcasting heritage and provide the public with additional access to the very rich history and culture of broadcasting in Ireland.”
It is anticipated that a further funding round of the Archiving Scheme will be opened before the end of 2013.
Full details of the Scheme are available here.
Media Queries to:
Tony Heffernan
DHR Communications
087 2399508
| Org | Status of Applicant | Indicative Programme Material | Max. Funding to be Awarded | |
| 1. | Radio Ireland Limited, Today FM | Broadcaster, Radio Commercial | DAT/DDS containing news & current affairs content c. 2000 – 2009. | €250,000 |
| 2. | Raidió Teilifís Éireann | Broadcaster, Radio PSB | Audio Acetates, c.1937 – 1971, which contain traditional and classical music recordings, interviews, talks, reports, folklore and speeches. | €178,000 |
| 3. | Northern Visions Ltd. | Broadcaster, TV Community | Various formats such as film, one-inch tape, half inch b/w mainly c.1980’s – 2000 with some footage from 1930’s – 1980 containing local culture, sport and current affairs content. | €115,500 |
| 4. | The Radharc Trust | Independent Producer, TV | Various formats such as U-Matic tape, c-spool, and Beta SP containing documentary programming material from the years 1962/1963. | €60,000 |
| 5. | TV3 Group | Broadcaster, TV Commercial | Beta SX video tape containing news and current affairs programming from 1998. | €466,300 |
| 6. | UTV Ltd. | Broadcaster, TV Commercial | Various formats such as film, Betacam and U-Matic tape containing news and cultural programming from 1959. | €175,000 |
| 7. | Raidió Teilifís Éireann | Broadcaster, TV PSB | Betacam SP tapes, containing a mixture of studio, field and rushes recording TV news c. 1985-1999. | €275,000 |