Minister Bruton announces scheme to support Irish broadcasting

The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD, today (13 March 2020) announced the Sound and Vision 4 Scheme to support Irish broadcasters with investment of over €40 million over the next three years.

Speaking today, Minister Bruton said:

"This Scheme is supporting Irish broadcasters to undertake imaginative and innovative programming that projects the uniquely Irish experience. Our heritage is our greatest asset and public service broadcasting must reflect the diversity of Irish culture.

"Creative content has an enormous role to play in helping communities understand and mobilise around the major challenges of our time. Climate disruption will be a focus of this year's Scheme. It is the defining issue of this generation and broadcasters play a crucial role in informing the public on the nature of the challenge. There will also be a focus on initiatives to develop local and community broadcasting and projects with lower funding levels."

The Sound and Vision Scheme is funded by the TV license fee from the Broadcasting Fund and is administered by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI). The Scheme supports the production of high-quality TV and radio programmes on Irish culture, heritage and experience.

The Scheme is reviewed every three years. The most recent review found that Ireland is unlikely to see significant indigenous content reflecting Irish culture, heritage and diversity unless there is public intervention and highlighted the value and impact of the Scheme.

In December 2019, the government announced a Commission on the future of Irish Public Service Broadcasting. The Commission, chaired by Professor Brian MacCraith will review whether this innovative scheme should play a greater role as technology and consumer preferences evolve.

The Minister's approval will allow the BAI to launch the scheme and to seek applications. It is estimated that the fund will have an annual value in excess of €14 million.

ENDS

Notes to the Editor:

Objectives of the Broadcasting Fund:

develop high quality programmes based on Irish culture, heritage and experience
develop programmes in the Irish language
increased availability of these programmes to audiences in the State
represent the diversity of Irish culture and heritage
record oral Irish heritage and aspect of Irish heritage which are disappearing, under threat, or have not been previously recorded and
develop local and community broadcasting

The main changes to Sound and Vision 4 are set out below:

Digital First Principle – facilitates the distribution of content on digital media first to try capture younger audiences where they tend to view their media
initiatives to develop local and community broadcasting – the scheme will allocate funds on an 85%/15% ratio TV/Radio basis
the BAI aim to establish specific support measures for projects with lower funding levels in the community radio and TV sectors on a rolling basis with a less onerous application process and a maximum funding limit available
the BAI intend developing a standardised points system to inform the evaluation of applications and assist in streamlining feedback provided to applicants and to bring more transparency to the assessment process.
the introduction of metrics to assess the impact of the new initiatives
the BAI's aim is to have 2 or 3 open funding rounds annually with additional ancillary measures to focus on;

adult/media literacy

global issues – initially climate change

stakeholder workshops with industry will be facilitated by the BAI to improve communications with broadcasters and producers in the industry

Minister Bruton announces scheme to support Irish broadcasting

Notes to the Editor:

Objectives of the Broadcasting Fund:

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