1 Owain Glyndwr:The ˆ Last Welsh Prince 2 Gwynfor:Yr Aelod Dros Gymru? 3 Radio Cymru:Taro’r Post from the Urdd Eisteddfod Summary Overview of BBC Cymru Wales’ Performance 2005/2006 2 The Broadcasting Council made the following considerable increase in unique users to its Welsh and A Renewed Partnership with S4C National Radio for All Wales assessment of BBC Cymru Wales’ performance against English language sites and the popularity of Objectives which were set by the Governors their content. Developing a strategic partnership with S4C, Build on the successes of Radio Cymru and Radio for 2005/2006. continuing to supply the channel with its most Wales, raising share and reach, broadening the age Council acknowledged the importance of the popular output. and geographical range of their audiences, engaging Delivering the Vision contribution of BBC One Wales and BBC Two Wales with them both on air and in their communities. to network and commended the way in which BBC The Draft Strategic Partnership Deed of Agreement Continue to develop the vision for BBC Cymru Cymru Wales programmes in all genres on BBC One between the BBC and S4C was submitted to Council Council commended the performance of Radio Cymru, Wales, delivering programmes and schedules which Wales had resonated with audiences, noting in in February. Council approved the draft document and welcoming the fact that its reach and share had meet the needs, tastes and expectations of local particular the strength of local comedy and drama. It expressed the hope that it would be accepted by the increased for the second year running, the share of audiences, on television, radio and online in also noted that Wales Today, while showing some S4C Authority. Welsh speakers at 20% exceeding the 2005/2006 Welsh and English. fluctuation in viewing figures during the year, continued target of 18%. It commended in particular the success to have more than double the audience of Council noted that BBC Cymru Wales programmes of Radio Cymru in attracting a younger audience, with Council commended the way BBC Cymru Wales was ITV 1 Wales News. continued to be the most watched on S4C, and that an increase of 50% of listeners under 35 since 1995. It developing its vision for audiences in Wales and that its there had been significant additional output during the noted however that the overall age profile was slightly programmes on BBC One and Two Wales added to Council was briefed on the performance over the year period. It singled out for special mention the two part older this year than last and understood that a periodic network share. BBC Cymru Wales programmes of BBC 2W. Its average share was a little below target, documentary on the late Gwynfor Evans, Plaid Cymru’s strategic review of the service was under way. continued to be the most watched on S4C. Council and its weekly reach has remained the same as the first MP and former party president. It further noted recognised that the proposed strategic partnership with previous year. It acknowledged that the issues of the commitment of BBC Cymru Wales to providing The key role being played by Radio Cymru in both the S4C offered opportunities for an enhanced service for audience deprivation in the light of the growth of news services in the Welsh language on all platforms BBC Cymru Wales Community Strategy and in a wide Welsh language TV audiences. It welcomed the Freeview would need to be addressed, and was and to the important point of principle that the BBC’s range of cultural events was praised. Council noted the 8 proposal of the changes to BBC 2W as reflecting sympathetic to the idea of a more flexible approach to Public Service Broadcasting remit included the provision success of collaboration with S4C with regard to sensitivity to audience needs. It also welcomed the scheduling, so long as this allowed an even greater focus of news services, which in Wales demanded the provision for young people, as well as the importance 9 opportunities that the reviews of Radio Wales and on high quality, high impact programming. It hoped that provision of news in both Welsh and English of talent development within Radio Cymru, and the Radio Cymru afforded to build on the successes of there would be no reduction in spend on English on television. wider significance of the C2 evening zone in terms of both stations, and congratulated New Media on the language television output for audiences in Wales. catering for the youth audience. Council understood that a comprehensive strategic review of Radio Wales was also underway. It noted that both share and reach showed an increase year on year but fell just short of agreed targets, and that the age profile was currently older than three years ago. It noted the importance of Radio Wales’ role in the 1 3 1 2 3 Community Strategy across Wales, and the continuing Wales on the Networks Council emphasised the great significance of Doctor Digital Services strength in live daily programmes and features. Who in terms of changing perceptions of production Highlights had included programmes from Lesotho Build on recent successes by further enhancing capacity in the Nations and Regions. It also Further developing online and interactive services in for Africa Week and collaboration with BBC projects BBC Cymru Wales’ contribution to the television commended the success of several other BBC Cymru both English and Welsh to broaden the profile of such as Voices, Coast and Donation. It was noted that and radio networks.Working with Network Wales drama, music and factual productions for the users and continuing to contribute to the success radio staff have also been involved in the production Controllers and Commissioners to ensure that Network and was eager that this success be of the BBC’s digital services by providing of TV programmes and there has been an ongoing contemporary Wales is featured more prominently recognised in terms of further opportunities for an compelling content. presence at national events, bringing together the in Network programming. increased number of commissions. whole of Wales. Council welcomed the growth in average weekly Council commended the considerable achievement of With regard to representation of contemporary Wales unique users of BBC Cymru Wales online services. It Council looked in detail at the critical challenges BBC Cymru Wales in this area across Drama, Factual in network programming, Council acknowledged the noted strengths in all three main elements of the posed by reception issues for both Radio Cymru and and Music, demonstrated by the fact that network impact value of Doctor Who in terms of portraying service proposition, namely the web, interactivity and Radio Wales, considering that these challenges could income had increased from £16.5m in 2003/2004 to contemporary Cardiff but felt that, while this partnership. It understood that internet access in Wales potentially prove an impediment to those services £50.4m (projected) in 2005/2006.Tribute was paid to represented a starting point, there was considerable had now reached around 50%, and that this was still on being able to achieve this Objective. It was the work of Head of Programmes English and work still to be done in order to meet this Objective. the low side compared to rest of the UK. particularly concerned with issues relating to DAB her team. It also felt that greater efforts should be made by (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and the fact that the network news teams to reflect the Welsh experience Council noted high approval for the Where I Live sites majority of the population of Wales was unable to Successes on network television had included Doctor in news stories. and commended the launching of local portals for receive Radio Cymru and Radio Wales on DAB. Who,The Girl in the Café, BBC Cardiff Singer of the World broadband. It was particularly pleased to hear that It also voiced its concern about the situation with and the second series of A Year at Kew. BBC Cymru Cymru’r Byd had received the most positive feedback regard to analogue transmitters, with Radio Wales Wales had continued to achieve successes across for any Nations and Regions site in the New Media 1 only having restricted FM coverage, and the effect this genres on network radio. insight survey for 2004, and welcomed the growth of 0 1 currently has on its ability to reach a significant the Lleol i Mi pages and strong usage of the Welsh 1 part of its potential audience. It requested that it be With regard to Doctor Who, Council noted that the first language CBeebies sites. kept informed of progress in this matter. series had been BBC One’s third most watched series of the year, and it was felt that the combination of With regard to BBC Cymru Wales’ contribution heritage and sophistication, together with the to bbc.co.uk, Council noted that Wales had devised the positive effect on family viewing, had been a huge highly successful Voices project, had created sites for achievement for BBC Cymru Wales.The Christmas Day network television including Doctor Who and BBC special had also been extremely successful, attracting an Cardiff Singer of the World 2005, and that interactive 1 Nicole Cabell, audience of 9.4 million, and Council noted that the opportunities were increasing for the Department, winner of BBC Cardiff Singer of World 2005 innovative interactive game which followed the including the interactive game for the Doctor Who © Brian Tarr programme had been produced by BBC Cymru Wales’ Christmas special and mobile phone episodes 2 The Girl in the Café New Media department.The sale of the first series of for series 2.