Press Releases 2009

 

 

BCI AWARDS FUNDING OF €960,000 IN ROUND 8 (RADIO) OF SOUND & VISION SCHEME
 

3rd August 2009

 

The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) has today (August 3rd) announced funding of almost €960,000 for radio programming in the most recent funding round of Sound & Vision, the Broadcasting Funding Scheme.

Grants totalling €960,000 have been awarded to 89 projects which deal with the themes of Irish, culture, heritage and experience.  

 

The funding provided will support the production of programmes in a variety of genres including documentaries, drama, children’s programming and entertainment.  14 of the 89 projects funded are for Irish and bi-lingual projects.  48 of the proposals selected for funding are from independent producers, financially representing €523,050 (54.5%) of the total amount recommended for funding. 

 

The current allocation to fund programming to the value of €960,000 in this round will bring to €2.2m the amount allocated to radio in 2009 and brings to €7.2 the total amount allocated to radio since the first round in February 2006.

Commenting on today’s announcement, Chief Executive of the BCI, Michael O’Keeffe, said: “The Sound & Vision Scheme continues to be a great success through the funding of high quality programmes. We are particularly pleased at the ongoing growth in the independent production sector, which has secured the highest funding contribution to date in this round.”

 

The funding awards were approved at a meeting of the Commission on 27th July last, following consideration of recommendations made by the assessment panels. The panels are comprised of external experts from the radio sector, subject experts from the relevant thematic areas, and BCI staff members. 243 eligible applications were received, and the total funding requested was €3.7m.

The BCI will now begin the process of contract negotiations with all successful applicants. 

 

An appendix to this press release details all the radio programmes that have been approved for funding.

 

-ENDS-

 

Media Queries to:

Suzanne Sullivan                           or                                           Aoife Clabby
Q4 Public Relations                                                                      BCI
01 4751444/086 3797291                                                           01 6441200