Press Releases 2007
THURSDAY, 22ND MARCH 2007
BCI AWARDS €9M TO SOUND & VISION TV PROGRAMMING SUBMISSIONS
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today announced funding of approximately €9m for TV programming in the third round of Sound & Vision, the Broadcasting Funding Scheme.
131 television applications were received from the sector, an increase of 10% from the previous round. Following the extensive assessment process, 44 of the submissions have been awarded funding. €4.7 million or 52% of the overall allocation is to be awarded to projects in the documentary genre. The remaining funding went to a variety of other genres including childrens’, entertainment, education and drama projects. Irish language and bi-lingual programmes accounted for 17 projects, representing approximately one third of the total financial allocation.
Commenting on the announcement, Chief Executive of the BCI, Michael O’Keeffe, said: “We are delighted to offer funding of €8.99m in this, the television element of the third round of Sound & Vision. The BCI is confident that this latest allocation will continue to enhance the quality of programmes available to Irish television viewers. Sound & Vision has now become a recognised and credible source of support for programme making. Consequently we are seeing increased competition for funding in the television production sector.”
The funding awards were approved at a meeting of the Commission on 20th March last, following consideration of the recommendations made by 12 assessment panels. The assessment panels comprised BCI staff members, external experts from the television sector and subject experts from the relevant thematic areas.
The BCI will now begin the process of contract negotiations with all successful applicants.
An appendix to this press release details all the television programmes that have been recommended for funding.
Ends-
Media Queries to:
Catherine Logan Aoife Clabby
Q4PR BCI
01 4751444/086 8114785 01 6441200