Independent Radio Sector secures funding for Innovative Projects in Round 43 of Sound and Vision Funding.
The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, yesterday announced funding of €6m under the Sound & Vision 4 Broadcasting Funding Scheme. A total of 36 radio projects and 22 TV projects have been successful in Round 43 of the scheme, following a competitive assessment process. Overall, the round attracted a total of 123 applications, seeking funding in the region of €15.5m. The proposed package of recommendations will facilitate the production of a range of projects reflecting Irish culture, heritage, and experience, that will be broadcast on a range of community, commercial and public service broadcasters. The funded programmes include a wide variety of genres and formats that will appeal to a diversity of Irish audiences and include English, Irish and bi-lingual projects.
A number of innovative projects have been funded in this round and notable projects across the Independent Radio Sector include :
- Cad déarfá le Gaillimh: Developed in partnership with NUI Galway, this weekly Irish language magazine-style show will feature content focused on the Gaeltacht, local arts, culture and heritage. It will be broadcast by Galway Bay FM.
- Changemakers: This 15-part environmental, nature and science programme features local and indigenous Cork businesses working to make a greener city and county. It will be broadcast by Red FM.
- Irish Fest - The Galway Story: Keith Finnegan is off to Milwaukee to make 2 programmes on Irish Fest - the largest Irish Festival outside Ireland.
- Digging Deep - Our Social Farm - Ocean FM: this project will explore the concept of social farming by bringing minorities and those at risk of exclusion to family farms. It will aim to build connections with the environment and will examine how social farming will impact on the participants mental and emotional well-being.
In addition to the above, the following projects have been funded across the sector :
- High Density : Developed by Brian Gallagher and will be broadcast on Newstalk
- Living on the Edge - Developed by John Higgins and will be broadcast on Newstalk
- The Oasis - Developed by John Higgins and will be broadcast on Newstalk
- Good Grief - Developed b yJohn Scally and will be broadcast on Shannonside
- The Village People - Developed by John Scally and will be broadcast on Shannonside
- The Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Developed by John Scally and will be broadcast on Shannonside
- Murder in the GAA : The Death of James Kiernan - Developed by Jonathan Farrelly and will be broadcast on Newstalk
- Come Along the West Feale - Developed by Keeshla Communications and will be broadcast on Radio Kerry
- Tainted Blood - Developed by Kelly Crichton and will be broadcast on Newstalk
- Do you Remember when .....Donegal County Councillor Eddie Fullerton was shot dead? - Developed by Michaela Clarke and will be broadcast on Highland Radio
- The Strong Ones - Developed by Noel Murphy and will be broadcast on Northern Sound Radio
- Shed Stories - Developed by Noel Murphy and will be broadcast on Northern Sound Radio
- Language of the Lough - Ocean FM
- Falsely Accused - Developed by Padraic Flaherty and will be broadcast on Clare FM
- Bottler - Brendan Grace - Developed by Padraic Flaherty and will be broadcast on Clare FM
- Corks Red FM - The Sessions - Red FM
A total of €169k has been granted across 20 projects in the Independent Radio Sector in this round. Commenting, Chief Executive of the BAI, Celene Craig said: “Round 43 of the Sound & Vision Scheme has yielded a strong mix of projects across a range of formats, genres, and audiences. We were very pleased with the very high quality of projects submitted and believe that the funded projects will further the BAI’s aims to promote plurality and diversity in programming and to enhance innovation and sectoral sustainability.”
She added: “It is also evident that the strategic criterion of women in key creative roles continues to encourage the submission of high-quality applications that have strong female representation. This is welcomed by the BAI and contributes to our own strategic objectives of ensuring diversity in the Irish audiovisual industry.”