Above: Elin Haf Jones (Aberystwyth University), Robin Farr (Welsh Language Society), Karl Davies (BBC Trust), Rhodri Ap Dyfrig (Aberystwyth University), and Peter Edwards (Barefoot Rascals).

The RTS Wales Centre is organising a number of 'coffee shop' debates, in conjunction with the Institute of Welsh Affairs, to discuss broadcasting in Wales.  The first event, held in Aberystwyth on the 17th March, was attended by representatives from the broadcasters, academics, the Welsh Language Society and independent producers.  They considered the key challenges of reach, impact and funding, set out in a 'Mind Map' (Word doc) by Hywel Wiliam, the Wales Centre's Administrator.  (A Welsh version of the Mind Map Word doc is available.)

As a consequence of the BBC's Delivering Quality First initiative, there has been a 17% reduction in the BBC's English language TV output for Wales from 2009 and a significant narrowing of genres, as noted by a speech given by Tony Hall last year in Cardiff.  S4C has also faced 36% cuts in real terms, but the meeting also noted, on a positive note, that there is now a new Channel 3 licence for Wales with the same commitments as in the previous licence.

With Charter renewal on the horizon and the end of the present Operating Agreement between the BBC Trust and the S4C Authority in 2016/17, the meeting looked at how the new relationship between the BBC and S4C has been working.  It also considered how the present mix of broadcasters serves Wales through TV, Radio and On-Line and whether new players could also emerge.  The Welsh Language Society proposed a multimedia content provider for Wales in a paper tabled at the meeting.

There was also speculation regarding the continuing role of the BBC Trust, and the Audience Council for Wales, following the recent CMS Committee report.  The prospect of separate funding arrangements for Wales was also discussed, possibly through top slicing of the Licence Fee, allowing the creation of a contestable production fund.  Looking to future technologies, in an age of near ubiquitous super fast broadband connectivity, the discussion considered the gate-keeper role of smart TV set manufacturers and whether the BBC's iPlayer could provide sufficient prominence for alternative local TV content in the digital age.

The Mind Map (English) (Word doc by Hywel Wiliam)
The Mind Map (Cymraeg) (Word doc gan Hywel Wiliam)