Drive to boost Welsh TV production with talent initiative

A new initiative to attract fresh media talent to Wales and boost TV production has been launched with the support of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Independent production companies are being offered funding to hire senior producers for three years through the Production Talent Scheme for Wales. The programme aims to make Wales a major provider of Network output, both nationally and internationally, by giving financial support to recruit senior production talent to increase production.

The initiative is being supported by Creative Business Wales, a division of the Welsh Assembly Government.

“Wales is a significant player in the creative industries, producing world class content seen by audiences around the globe.” said Ieuan Wyn Jones, Deputy First Minister and Minister for Economic Development.

“The success of shows such as Dr Who and Torchwood show that Wales has the talent base and facilities to attract top TV productions. However, we need to go further and ensure the independent sector is also given the right support to thrive. We want to see our independent production companies continue to grow and secure further commissions. This scheme will help develop the talent base to achieve this.”

The scheme is being run by Skillset Cymru, the sector skills council for Creative Media and is being supported by Channel 4, ITV and the BBC.

Stuart Cosgrove, Director of Nations and Regions Channel 4 said:

“Channel 4 welcomes the Production Talent Scheme. It is another important innovation, supporting the increasingly confident Welsh independent production sector."

Emma Barker, Director of Nations and Regions Production fund, ITV said:

“We are very keen to increase our commissioning base in the Nations and we hope the scheme will help us to achieve this. There is a real creative hub in Wales and we believe that this initiative will help that talent grow and ultimately may enable the winning companies to secure commissions on ITV.”

Krishan Arora, Independents Executive BBC said:

“Our commissioners will be looking to work closely with the top talent that companies on this scheme will now be able to attract, and we’ll be working hard to develop great new programmes from those relationships.”

To be eligible for the scheme, an independent production company must have been fully operational for three years, with at least three broadcast credits and a head office based in Wales.

For more information about the Production Talent Scheme, please log onto http://www.skillset.org/uk/cymru