Recent years have seen dramatic changes in broadcasting in Wales. The success of BBC Wales’ Doctor Who and Torchwood has inspired a new confidence in Welsh production. Independent Welsh production companies have grown and bought up English competitors. As Britain races towards digital switchover in 2009/10 Welsh households have taken up digital faster than anywhere else. And as S4C celebrates its 25th anniversary on 1 November (and Superted follows a few weeks later) we face a rapidly changing broadcasting landscape.
If we do not take stock now – and make significant policy changes – there is a real danger that we shall by default lose the enormously rich broadcast mix we now enjoy.
This essay (treatise, pamphlet, opinion piece – whatever you want to call it) starts from seven basic assumptions:
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Broadcasting may seem an ephemeral political issue, but it is the major form of entertainment and the most important source of news for most British families and it helps shape our cultural, political and social perceptions.
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A healthy and diverse broadcasting industry is vital to Britain and Wales’ social and economic success.
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The particularities of Wales – in particular her geographical, linguistic and cultural mix – need to be reflected in national UK decisions on broadcasting.
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As S4C celebrates its 25th anniversary maintaining its long-term viability, its financial sustainability and its reach is an essential prerequisite of any sensible broadcasting strategy for Wales.
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Whilst it is important that Wales gets to see and hear herself on TV and radio, the full broadcast mix should enable the whole of Britain to see and hear Wales and Wales to see and hear the whole of Britain and the wider world.
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A ghettoised or a parochial Welsh broadcasting environment would be a cultural and economic cul-de-sac but a strong broadcast industry could foster and nourish other creative industries.
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Digital technology should make it increasingly possible for people to enjoy far more localised broadcast services without surrendering quality. This is especially true in radio.
great site
Richard Evans, Cardiff 2007-10-29 08:22:49
I'd love to know exactly how much it costs to run S4C, compared to how many viewers they get. I pet it costs £10 per viewer for some programmes!
Andrew B, UK 2007-10-29 08:23:55
Read your article in the Western mail and then logged on to the site. Surprisingly good analysis. Well done
Paul Edwards, Swansea 2007-10-29 09:58:43
dont agree with everything you've said. but think laucnhing a website and encouraging a debate is to be commended. good work.
Rheinallt, Wales/Cymru 2007-10-29 11:51:27
You make some very interesting points. I was/am very pro S4C and used to think it needed to protect its status as a welsh language only channel. however, with cutbacks everywhere else i can see it becoming far more popular with english language "Welsh" programmes. need to look at new ways of becoming popular. Pob hwyl!
chris bryant, 2007-10-29 17:11:16
Thanks for the kind comments. I'd be interested to know what you don't agree with Paul.
Pete, Newcastle 2007-12-04 20:28:05
Great Site
