A big new announcement from BBC Wales today, taking everybody by surprise -- the announcement was expected in March. Rhodri Talfan Davies spoke to the media and there was a considerable piece on the BBC web site:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-39046775
So the BBC has at last responded to the demands for better and more extensive Welsh content in English-language broadcasting -- but instead of the £30 million asked for by the IWA and the Assembly's Culture Committee, the extra amount allocated from BBC's London HQ is only £8.5 million. Rhodri Talfan Davies says this will mean a doubling of the spend on drama and documentaries in Wales -- but these days you cannot do much with £8.5 million, unless, that is, BBC Wales makes such brilliant programmes that they can be widely sold and can turn a profit.
We shall see. Apparently there will be two brand new Welsh dramas commissioned by BBC Wales -- and a new Head of Drama as well. There will be a further announcement within the next few days......
There is another welcome development. In response to the pressure from the Culture Committee the BBC now says it will introduce a number of steps to improve the "portrayal" of Wales on its network channels. These include the appointment of a television drama commissioner for Wales; the introduction of a BBC Writersroom team; the introduction of a £2m portrayal fund; on-screen portrayal objectives across production teams; a commitment to produce at least 5% of network programming from Wales; and a commitment to work in partnership with the Welsh Government’s proposed Creative Wales body.
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