The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) has announced details of the latest recommendations under the Sound & Vision Scheme.
The recommendations were ratified by the Authority at its meeting on 8th October, following a detailed assessment process, which saw the 277 applications received in this 24th round of the Scheme being cut down to 114 projects, with total funding of €5.2m. Of these, 88 are radio projects, which will receive funding of €465,000.
The formats supported included drama, documentary, entertainment, education and animation. Some projects of note in the current round include:
- 11 radio dramas, which will be broadcast on commercial and community stations.
- The three-part Irish language drama, Jive, following one woman’s efforts to eliminate her husband, with the help of an old flame.
- 60 radio documentaries addressing a diversity of topics including women bankers and the lives of older people in Tipperary.
Speaking about the announcement yesterday, Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the BAI said:
“This is the second round to be concluded since revisions to the Sound & Vision Scheme were implemented at the start of the year. While we continue to be over-subscribed in each round, the BAI is very pleased to be in a position to increase the overall allocation in 2015 from €9.5m to €10.3m. This has been made possible through the careful management of the fund, which is derived from the television licence fee. The projects being supported will enhance radio and television schedules at national, local and community level and will, I believe, make a significant contribution to the quality of content that is available for Irish audiences.”
The BAI will now commence contract negotiations with all successful applications. A full list of the projects being offered funding is available here.