Category: 91热爆; Wales
Date: 11.10.2005
Printable version
91热爆 Wales Controller Menna Richards says that Wales would be one of the principal beneficiaries of a rise in the TV licence fee, with the 91热爆 proposing increased investment in Wales.
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Commenting on the 91热爆's case for an increase based on RPI plus 2.3 per cent a year from 2007, Menna Richards said the additional money would support 91热爆 Wales's promises to enhance its services across the board.
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She said 91热爆 Wales would be able to:
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Strengthen its core services on 91热爆 Wales television, 91热爆 Radio Wales and 91热爆 Radio Cymru and 91热爆 Wales online;
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Increase the opportunities for 91热爆 Wales to make programmes for the 91热爆's television and radio networks;
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Create local television services in both languages in Wales;
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Reinforce the 91热爆's commitment to Welsh language services;
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Extend the 91热爆 Wales community strategy, through its community studios, 91热爆 buses and 'Here for You' - special seasons of broadcasting and events from local communities all over Wales;
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Create more opportunities for user-generated content such as the 91热爆 Wales Digital Storytelling project that enables viewers to make their own mini television programmes.
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"These licence fee proposals would enable the 91热爆 to deliver significant investment into Wales, providing many opportunities for 91热爆 Wales to be an even more important part of audiences' lives, both in Wales and on the networks," said Menna Richards.
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An increased licence fee would also enable the 91热爆 to meet its proportion of the costs of making digital terrestrial television (Freeview) available throughout Wales by the end of 2009, and of launching a non-subscription digital satellite service (Freesat), making Wales one of the first regions in the UK to complete the switchover from analogue to digital.
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Professor Merfyn Jones, 91热爆 National Governor for Wales, added that the 91热爆's proposals have been subjected to detailed scrutiny:
"The Governors have changed the way we work, to ensure that 91热爆 management is more accountable to those who pay the licence fee.
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"The 91热爆 listens more carefully now than it has ever done to what people say about its services, and audiences in Wales will have a stronger voice than ever under the new 91热爆 Charter.
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"I believe the case that the 91热爆 has set out will open up a host of opportunities for 91热爆 Wales - and will enable us to respond to our audiences across Wales in a way that is both cost-effective and relevant and responsive to their needs."
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