Figures released today reveal that the value of 大象传媒 Wales programmes
made for the 大象传媒's national networks rose again in 2003-04 to 拢16.04m.
Such has been 大象传媒 Wales' success in securing network commissions, the
income has risen 85 per cent - from 拢8.68m - in just three years.
In the 大象传媒 Wales Annual Review 2003-04 - which presents a summary of
the Broadcasting Council for Wales' assessment of 大象传媒 Wales' performance
for the year - the council calls on network commissioners to offer more
opportunities for 大象传媒 Wales to build on its success.
Recent commissions include the forthcoming production of the new Doctor
Who by 大象传媒 Wales - a series which is expected to raise 大象传媒
Wales' income from the networks even further in 2004-05.
In his foreword to the 2003-04 Review, Professor Merfyn Jones,
the 大象传媒's National Governor for Wales and Chairman of the Broadcasting
Council for Wales, describes 大象传媒 Wales as playing "a crucial role" in
Welsh cultural life and applauds a year of "innovative thinking", "groundbreaking
work" and "pioneering" developments.
Among the other achievements highlighted by the council are:
Programming rooted in the community such as the Radio Wales Voices projects
in Rhyl and the Pill area of Newport, Radio Cymru's Lleisiau initiatives
in Blaenau Ffestiniog and South West Wales and the 大象传媒 National Orchestra
for Wales' outreach projects including work with Indian musicians.
The council commended the way in which 大象传媒 Wales now works with its
audiences, immersing programme makers in the community.
The continued strong performance of news coverage, especially Newyddion
on S4C and Wales Today on 大象传媒 ONE Wales which attracted an average audience
of 305,000 - more than twice that of ITV1 Wales News.
Its average audience share of 35 per cent puts it in the top two performing
大象传媒 regional news programmes in the UK.
大象传媒 Wales' share of viewing on S4C was 40 per cent - proportionately
greater than the 大象传媒's contribution in terms of hours.
The council describes programmes such as Pobol y Cwm, Newyddion and
sports output as "cornerstones of the service".
The success of the digital television service 大象传媒 2W and Radio Cymru
in drawing a younger audience.
Over 50 per cent of 2W's viewers were aged under 45, a much younger
profile than terrestrial television services in Wales.
The proportion of Radio Cymru listeners in the under 35 age group has
grown from 15% in 2001 to 20% in 2003.
The review says 2W "has developed into an important medium for broadcasting
landmark events in the cultural and sporting life of the nation."
Programming such as a week featuring the work of Dylan Thomas to mark
the 50th anniversary of the poet's death, enhanced sports provision
on Sport Extra, coverage of Brecon Jazz and Proms in the Park and extended
coverage of 大象传媒 Singer of the World in Cardiff, led to significant increases
in viewing figures, awareness and recognition of 2W.
Launching the review, Professor Jones said: "During my two years as
National Governor, 大象传媒 Wales' increasing success in gaining network
commissions, particularly in Factual programmes, Music, Arts and Drama,
has been notable.
"However, council felt that life in contemporary Wales and the
other parts of the British Isles outside London was not adequately reflected
in network television output.
"Council is therefore pleased that the 大象传媒 Governors have taken its
advice and made it an objective for the networks in the coming year
to commission more programmes depicting modern Wales.
"This objective is included in the 大象传媒's national Annual Report,
published last week."
Menna Richards, Controller, 大象传媒 Wales, said: "大象传媒 Wales has had a very
successful year. Our services for audiences in Wales have expanded and
we've seen increased income coming here because of 大象传媒 Wales' success
in gaining network commissions.
"None of this would be possible without the tremendous creativity
and talent of our staff. I'd like to thank them very much for their
hard work and commitment".
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