Partnership launched to boost Wales’ TV industry on world stage

A partnership has been launched  to boost Wales’ TV industry on the world stage.

An announcement was made today by BBC Director-General, Tim Davie and the Welsh Government’s Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, Dawn Bowden MS, that the BBC and Creative Wales have signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

Speaking today at the BBC’s broadcast hub in Central Square, Cardiff the Director-General said the initiative marks the start of an exciting long-term partnership between the BBC and Creative Wales.

It aims to champion Wales’ television industry by supporting world-class drama, cutting-edge comedy and brilliant factual content.

The formal agreement allows the two organisations to work together to build on the success of the creative industries in Wales and existing partnerships established over the past twelve months.

They include The Pact, the six part crime thriller starring Julie Hesmondhalgh, Laura Fraser and Rakie Ayola broadcast on BBC One in June, which received funding from Creative Wales.

Tim Davie also announced a new co-commission for BBC Three and BBC Wales; a series generated as a result of a partnership launched in November 2020 in conjunction with Creative Wales.

Produced by Boom Cymru Hot Cakes follows the young team behind an insta-bakery – situated in the heart of Cardiff – as each episode takes viewers behind the counter, and into the lives and loves of the baking entrepreneurs.

‘Vital’

Director-General of the BBC Tim Davie said: “It is absolutely vital that the BBC reflects the nations it serves. Early this year I made clear this is a key priority for the BBC. Working with partners such as Creative Wales will help us achieve that ambition.

“Wales is a centre of creative energy. I want to see that flourish and grow. The BBC wants to support world-class drama, cutting-edge comedy and brilliant factual content. This marks the start of an exciting long-term partnership between the BBC and Creative Wales.

“We are already working brilliantly together. Last November I announced an ambitious new collaboration between BBC Three, BBC Wales and Creative Wales to find new and innovative programme formats. I’m pleased to be announcing one today.

“The successful BBC Three/BBC Wales commission is Hot Cakes, which follows the young team behind one of the UK’s most inspirational insta-bakeries. It was one of a number of great ideas.

“This partnership has undoubtably strengthened the supply of programmes from Welsh producers to BBC Three. I can’t wait to see what else we can achieve together.”

Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, said: “This Memorandum of Understanding sets out our shared vision for supporting a vibrant, diverse, world class Welsh creative industries sector that excels in the production of a wide range of content.

“I’m delighted that we’re also able to support the new co-commission and look forward to seeing the new series. This partnership al so presents a fantastic opportunity to discover and access up and coming Welsh talent from across Wales.”

‘Young entrepreneurs’

Nia Thomas, Managing Director Boom said: “We are delighted to be commissioned by BBC Wales and BBC Three, with the support of Creative Wales to produce this unique Welsh story about young entrepreneurs making their mark in the baking industry.

“We’ll be serving up big slices of entertainment and look forward to diving into the lives of our colourful cast as they create show-stopping cakes to mark some of their clients’ biggest moments.

“As a company based in Wales, we’re incredibly proud to be able to tell authentic, bold and representative Welsh stories straight from our doorstep and are thrilled that BBC Wales and BBC Three feel that this series is such a great fit for them.

“We genuinely believe that the content will really resonate with audiences and can’t wait to start filming.”

The Memorandum of Understanding outlines a framework detailing how the two organisations will build on existing support and training for the industry.

It also outlines how they will work together over the next three years with a view to establishing a long-term working partnership focused on building a sustainable television sector in Wales.

The partnership between BBC Three, BBC Wales and Creative Wales was launched in November 2020 and invited independent production companies based in Wales to pitch new ideas for programmes that reflect the life experiences of 16-24 year olds.

Aiming to develop Wales-based companies, strengthen the supply of programmes from Welsh producers to BBC Three, and reflect the real-life experiences of 16-24 year olds in Wales and the rest of the UK, the collaboration saw over 60 ideas pitched by Welsh-based companies.

Hot Cakes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC Wales next year.