Press Releases 2006
233 APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR SECOND ROUND OF SOUND & VISION SCHEME
12th May 06
The Broadcasting Commission of Ireland has today announced the receipt of a total of 233 applications for funding in the second round of Sound & Vision, the Broadcasting Funding Scheme. The Scheme offers grants for new television and radio programmes on themes of Irish culture, heritage and experience and is funded by 5% of the television licence fee.
Applications were almost evenly spilt between television (118) and radio (115) with a total allocation of €41.5m requested from programme budgets of just under €70m. On the television side, the vast majority of applications came directly from the independent production sector, with the support of specific broadcasters. Radio applications were received primarily from the broadcasters themselves with both the commercial and community sectors evenly represented.
Once again documentary was the main genre in both television and radio but a significant number of proposals were received covering factual, entertainment and drama projects. Finally, there was a high level of Irish and bi-lingual programmes proposed in both radio and television.
Commenting on the applications, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BCI said, “Once again we have seen an overwhelming interest in the provision of the type of programming envisioned under Sound & Vision, with a 50% increase in funding being sought. The even distribution of applications between radio and television and from across the sector is a strong endorsement of the scheme from the broadcast media”.
A total of 20 assessment panels have now been established involving subject experts in the relevant areas and BCI staff. The assessment panels will compile a package of recommendations for submission and approval by the Board of the BCI. It is anticipated that the assessment and decision–making process will be completed by late July.
A table providing a breakdown of the applications received by language and genre accompanies this press release.
Radio |
Television |
|
| Total no. of applications received | 115 |
118 |
| English language programmes | 60 |
52 |
| Irish language programmes | 14 |
32 |
| Bi-lingual programmes | 41 |
34 |
| Programme genres | ||
| Animation: | 0 |
5 |
| Children: | 3 |
0 |
| Drama / Feature: | 7 |
12 |
| Documentary: | 71 |
56 |
| Entertainment: | 7 |
15 |
| Factual: | 14 |
17 |
| Other: | 13 |
13 |
-Ends-
For further information please contact:
David Martin or Aoife Clabby
Fleishman Hillard BCI
01 6188462 or 086 8114785 01 6441200