The BAI has released the results of the first round of its new Archiving Scheme, designed to protect broadcasting heritage for future generations - with an emphasis on the preservation of fragile historic material.
Seven successful projects were selected for archive funding totalling €1.5m from applications submitted by RTÉ, TV3, Today FM, Northern Visions Ltd, The Radharc Trust and UTV.
BAI Chief Executive Michael O’Keeffe welcomed the opportunity to support the archiving of materials ranging from news and current affairs coverage to audio acetate discs from the earliest days of RTÉ.
‘The volume of applications received under the first round clearly shows that Irish broadcasters are acutely aware of the need for measures to safeguard Ireland’s broadcasting heritage. The establishment of the Archiving Scheme has been an important development for both the broadcasting industry and Irish audiences,’ he said.
The scheme, financed through the TV licence fee, received 30 applications seeking funding of €8.4m - 26 of which were deemed valid by an assessment panel of four independent experts and one BAI representative.
‘The Scheme was developed through engagement with a wide range of broadcasters and expert groups and I am confident that it will contribute to the preservation of Ireland’s broadcasting heritage and provide the public with additional access to the very rich history and culture of broadcasting in Ireland,’ Mr O’Keeffe added.
The following is a breakdown of the distribution of funds, with another round of the Archiving Scheme set to open for submissions before the end of 2013.
• Today FM (News & current affairs content from 2000 to 2009) - €250,000
• RTÉ Radio (Audio Acetates from 1937 to 1971) - €178,000
• Northern Visions Ltd (Various formats covering 1980’s to 2000 and footage from 1930’s to 1980) - €115,500
• The Radharc Trust (Old formats containing documentary material from 1962-1963) - €60,000.
• TV3 (News & current affairs from 1998) - €466,300.
• UTV (News & cultural programming from 1959) - €175,000.
• RTÉ (Studio, field & rushes of TV news from 1985-1999) - €275,000.
Full details of the Archiving Scheme can be found here.
