Capturing Cardiff: The fortunes of Cardiff based TV production.

[Elizabeth-Anne]

Media is one of the fastest growing industries in Cardiff, with many organisations based around the regenerated Cardiff Bay. But are things as healthy as they seem?

Since the success of Russell T. Davies’ re-launch of Doctor Who and its sister programme Torchwood, Cardiff has been visible on national TV screens like seldom before. Shot and produced in the capital, the shows bring Cardiff not only publicity but media talent. However, there is more to the story of TV in Cardiff than TARDISes and Time Lords. Media is one of the fastest growing industries in Cardiff, especially in the regenerated area of Cardiff Bay. With the Welsh Assembly government keen to invest in the industry, it seems that all is rosy for Cardiff based television. However, as I found when I spoke to representatives from two different Cardiff TV companies, the true picture is more complex. They spoke to me of the benefits of being based in the capital city, but also raised issues that concern them about television made in Wales, for Wales.

Robert Finighan is the managing director of Aspect Television, a company that produces material for BBC Wales as well as national broadcasters. He sees being based in Cardiff as positive for primarily economic reasons. “The benefits are practical”, he explains. “Prices are much lower, from rents to employment costs. But the main benefit is that the major broadcasters are mindful of commissioning from the regions.” Indeed, there are funds set aside specifically for financing regional programming, including BBC’s Regional Development Fund, which awarded Aspect a grant in 2006. (As part of the awards criteria Aspect themselves had to match the money that was awarded.) However, Finighan raises issues with the way the Welsh government itself is willing to help companies like his. “The Welsh Assembly has decided on a very particular view of what companies to assist. They have decided they want to see independent production consisting of a couple of very large companies. Previously Welsh television production was very much a cottage industry. My argument was the companies they were backing had very little experience making programmes outside of Wales.”

Finighan considers himself “someone who just happens to be based in Wales” rather than someone who makes Welsh programming pe se. He feels it can be difficult to be treated fairly in the principality. “S4C [the Welsh language channel] skews funding, and the channel can be a bit of a club. S4C commissions just move money around Wales, which isn’t as valuable as drawing money in from London to Cardiff. But this isn’t recognised by the Assembly!”

Euryan Williams, development adviser for the TV production company Boomerang, a company that has received funding from Finance Wales (a company that aids small and medium sized Welsh businesses), as well as benefiting from their involvement with S4C, sees the Assembly’s view more pragmatically. “The way the Assembly approached it, it had nothing to do with media”, he says. “They were looking at the future economic situation of Wales. It’s not about the content, it’s about structures and employing people, making certain there’s a continuity of employment and sustainability of business. While Williams agrees that the Assembly may not always have considered quality over size, he understands why. "The government need to make sure that if they invest in you in year 1, the company is still there in year 10. So they invested in the companies they thought would do that best, not necessarily the ones who made the best programmes.”



To hear Eurayn Williams talk about being based in Cardiff, click the picture above. (Image copyright Boomerang)

Thanks to Russell T Davies Cardiff is now a familar sight on the nation's screens. But Doctor Who must not be relied upon, industry figures say.

Despite differing opinions on funding, both men are happy that Welsh television is enjoying successes, and that the government recognises its importance. However they also urge caution in declaring a golden age. Finighan points to the fact that ITV has drastically cut the number of regional programmes it commissions. “It’s a shame, because it means not as much work and therefore not so much competition for the BBC. Meanwhile the BBC is commissioning strongly, but sometimes they seem to lack direction. It can be hard to judge exactly what they’re after.” Williams sees dangers for the industry in Cardiff itself if it were to become complacent. I think [Welsh TV] looks healthier than it is. The success of Doctor Who and Torchwood is great and its developing people, it’s training a good base to go on to the future. But Doctor Who won’t last forever. That’s the fragile bit – that if ever things don’t come through that use that talent then the talent is going to go away and follow the work and Cardiff will be left without.”