TAC states concerns on lack of new funding for Young Audiences Content Fund and Audio Content Fund

24 January 2022

TAC, the trade association for TV production companies in Wales, today responded to the UK Government’s decision not to provide funding through the TV Licence Fee to support the continuation of the Young Audiences Content Fund (YACF) and Audio Content Fund (ACF).

TAC Chair Dyfrig Davies said:
“We are very disappointed to hear that there is not at this time any funding available to continue the work of the Young Audiences Content Fund and Audio Content Fund, as confirmed in the letters from DCMS to BBC and S4C regarding the TV Licence Fee settlement.”

“The YACF has been of great value to Wales producers, some of who specialise in children’s content. The 5% target for content in indigenous languages has been of great cultural importance to the Welsh language and has been welcomed as our sector and S4C accessed the Fund to produce new content for young audiences. We are therefore extremely disappointed that it is not continuing.”

“Our members have made it clear to us that, together with the availability of Children’s TV Tax relief, the YACF has been critical in reversing the reduction in investment in PSB Children’s content nationally, increasing plurality, upping the quality and ambition of childrens’ content with the associated cultural benefits for Wales, and at the same providing significant economic growth to the sector in Wales. The funding criteria has also helped provide more co-production opportunities for S4C and Welsh producers given the strength their involvement will add to applications.”

“The Audio Content Fund has also been valued by our members who produce radio programmes and it too has a 5% target for indigenous languages.”

“TAC will be writing to Rt Hon Nadine Dorries MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to express our concerns about her decision not to continue with contestable funding, which has been highly successful in delivering original public service content. We will press for further funding for the future.”

Contact Us