The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has today (12.07.16) announced details of the latest package of recommendations under the Sound & Vision Scheme to be ratified by the Authority.

Following a detailed assessment process, funding amounting to €5.835m has been allocated to 124 projects. Of this, €5.22m has been allocated to 34 TV projects, while 90 radio projects will benefit to the value of €615,000. Some 257 applications for funding were received in this 26th Round of the scheme, seeking funding of €21.1m. The number of applications increased by 36 when compared to the previous Round.

With 18 TV and 64 radio projects and an overall funding amount of €2.3m, Documentary is the most supported format both in terms of project numbers and the amount allocated. Drama is the second most supported format, with 12 radio and nine TV projects sharing funding amounting to just over €2m. Additionally, 10 Entertainment projects have been allocated a total of €552,000, along with eight Education and three Animation projects allocated a total of €502,000 and €445,000, respectively.

Some notable projects supported in the current round include:

TV documentaries across public, commercial and community channels, including a feature project on the Maamtrasna murders (1882) for TG4; a programme that follows the journeys of three young people as they transition from one gender to another for RTÉ 2; and a programme that will look at the history, heritage and culture of Cork’s Barrack Street for Cork Community Television.

Radio documentaries include a programme on Aiken barracks in Dundalk, broadcast by LMFM; a series of short features on athletes with disabilities on Spin South West; and a programme on Ballycotton Lighthouse on Community Radio Youghal.

21 radio and TV drama projects across public, commercial and community channels include a four-part murder thriller set in the world of the global pharma industry for RTÉ 1, an Irish / Canadian co-production; a TV3 feature on the bank bailout, produced by the same team behind BAI-funded film The Guarantee; and a drama for broadcast on Midwest Radio that tells the story of the Land War in Mayo.

Two high value comedy series, Comedy Showhouse for RTÉ Radio 1 and You Couldn’t Make it Up for Newstalk – both second series – also received significant funding allocations.

Commenting on the announcement, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BAI, said: “Since the launch of the new Broadcasting Funding Scheme – Sound & Vision 3 – in early 2015, the BAI has announced closing dates for five rounds across 2015 and 2016, with an indicative allocation of €4.75m per round. We are pleased that the careful management of the BAI’s funding supports and initiatives has made it possible to increase this amount by more than €1m for the current round.

Of particular note are the number of successful radio applications in this Round, which has increased from 72 to 90. This is a welcome development and indicates that the focus on quality is paying dividends. Overall, the package of awards is very diverse in terms of content, audiences and language, and will, I believe, make a significant contribution to the quality of content that is available for Irish audiences.”

The BAI will commence contract negotiations with all successful applicants. A full list of the projects being offered funding is available to download here.

For more information, visit www.bai.ie.

ENDS

Contact: Joanne Ahern / Sebastian Enke, DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580 / 087-9881837 / 087-3239496.