Wales Office Minister calls for export of more Welsh programmes to boost the economy
Alun Cairns urges UK and international broadcasters to buy more Welsh TV programmes to support Welsh creative industries.
The Minister will today (10 March) host a broadcasting summit at the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, bringing UK broadcasters and Welsh independent programme-makers together to find ways to increase the numbers of programmes from Wales on TV in the UK and abroad.
Mr Cairns will encourage programme makers to show off the quality of Welsh independent productions and ask broadcasters to explain how they commission work and outline how to take advantage of the opportunities available.
Wales has a proud history of producing programmes - such as Y Gwyll/ Hinterland, The Indian Doctor and Frozen at Christmas - that have made an impact across the UK and around the world.
The Welsh creative industries sector is a huge global success story and a key driver of growth. It employs over 50,000 people and generates annual turnover of more than £1billion.
The summit will build on measures the UK Government has already taken to support creative industries in Wales. These include tax reliefs for animation, high-end television programmes and UK video games as well as supporting the Welsh film industry in overseas markets by identifying appropriate contracts, tenders and projects.
Alun Cairns said:
Welsh TV companies produce some of the most exciting programmes in the UK at the moment and the sector has enormous potential to grow.
Programmes like Y Gwyll and The Indian Doctor have already demonstrated the quality we have to offer but I want to open up the prospect of UK and international commissions to many more Welsh programme makers. We must be ambitious.
Today’s summit will help Welsh production companies to thrive by ensuring they are connected to the widest possible markets.
This is all part of our long term economic plan to rebalance the economy and stimulate growth in all sectors and all parts of Wales.