Sky Vision boosts Welsh funding

UK-based producer and distributor Sky Vision and the Welsh government are to increase their investment in the creation and production of factual and entertainment TV programmes and formats in Wales.

One Star To Five Star has already received backing from the fund

The original fund, which was set up last summer, is part of the company’s commitment to support the growth of the independent TV sector in the region and has been extended until March 2019.

Sky Vision and the Welsh government have already invested around £200,000 (US$260,000) each in the fund, which has been used to develop programming concepts and pilots.

The extension will enable Welsh indies and prodcos that work in Wales to create and develop new programming. Details of the additional funds being invested haven’t been revealed.

“We’re incredibly proud to be supporting the creation and development of factual content in Wales, and we hope this extension will encourage more production companies to apply for funding,” said Barnaby Shingleton, director of entertainment and factual at Sky Vision.

“We’re looking forward to seeing them make exciting, thought-provoking programming that will educate and inspire.”

Projects that have already received backing from the fund include One Star to Five Star (20×30’) by Blink Films for Channel 4; The Climate Challenge (3×60’) by Telesgop Productions for S4C; and more recently Tide (3×60’) from Welsh firm Cwmni Da and Mac TV. The latter examines the influence of the tide on coastal land and communities and will air on S4C, TG4 and BBC Northern Ireland in 2019.

Sky Vision and the Welsh government’s fund has also supported projects from Orchard, Midnight Oil Productions and Folk Films.

The three productions, which are all seeking broadcaster commissions, range from Second World War historical series to observational documentaries and cookery and lifestyle.