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Select Committee · Welsh Affairs Committee

Broadcasting in Wales

Status: Closed Opened: 19 Jul 2022 Closed: 22 Jan 2024 20 recommendations 7 conclusions 1 report

The Welsh Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into broadcasting in Wales. It will consider how to ensure a successful and dynamic broadcasting sector in Wales; the future of public service broadcasting and the place of free-to-air sports broadcasting in Wales; and the impact of the privatisation of Channel 4 on the Welsh broadcasting sector. … Show more

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Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
Fifth Report - Broadcasting in Wales HC 620 27 Oct 2023 27 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

2 items
1 Recommendation Fifth Report - Broadcasting in Wales Acknowledged

Convene dedicated evidence session with Welsh broadcasting stakeholders during Media Bill Committee Stage.

Broadcasting holds an importance in Welsh national life that is unique among the nations of the United Kingdom. A distinctively Welsh broadcasting sector, underpinned by strong public service broadcasting, is a precious asset that must be allowed to flourish for the benefit of future generations. We welcome the Government’s Draft … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the importance of the Media Bill and commits to continuing engagement with devolved administrations and stakeholders throughout its passage, but notes the Commons Committee Stage has already completed, thereby not committing to the specific request for a dedicated Welsh evidence session at …
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Wales Office
16 Recommendation Fifth Report - Broadcasting in Wales Acknowledged

Require Ofcom to resume offering FM licences for local and community radio

Ofcom’s decision to prioritise DAB licenses overlooks the high levels of AM/ FM listening in Wales, and does not take into account the difficulties in digital transmission across parts of Wales. Community radio stations believe that FM licences will enable them to reach a wider audience. There is a clear … Read more

Government response AI summary
The government commits to exploring options with the Welsh Government and Ofcom to support more community radio services in Wales, including considering the role of FM, but clarifies that the decision to offer new FM licences is ultimately for Ofcom to determine.
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Wales Office

Oral evidence sessions

9 sessions
Date Witnesses
28 Jun 2023 Efa Gruffudd Jones · Comisiynydd y Gymraeg / Welsh Language Commissioner, Lowri Williams · Welsh Language Commissioner, Robert Specterman-Green · Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP · Department for Culture, Media and Sport View ↗
7 Jun 2023 Dyfrig Davies · S4C, Ian Davis · Football Association of Wales, Nigel Walker · Welsh Rugby Union, Siân Price · Yeti Television, Sioned William · Cwmni Da View ↗
10 May 2023 Giles Derrington · TikTok, Megan Thomas · Meta, Tomos Grace · YouTube Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) View ↗
19 Apr 2023 Eleanor Marks · Ofcom, Kate Biggs · Ofcom View ↗
1 Mar 2023 Martin Mumford · Nation Broadcasting, Terry Mann · GTFM Radio, Toby Ellis · Pure West Radio View ↗
18 Jan 2023 Adam Minns · COBA, Benjamin King · Netflix View ↗
7 Dec 2022 Phil Henfrey · ITV Cymru Wales, Rhuanedd Richards · BBC Cymru Wales, Sian Doyle · S4C View ↗
7 Dec 2022 Phil Henfrey · ITV Cymru Wales, Rhuanedd Richards · BBC Cymru Wales, Siân Doyle · S4C View ↗
9 Nov 2022 Guto Harri View ↗

Who gave evidence

24 witnesses
WitnessOrganisationSessions
Phil Henfrey · Head of News and Programmes ITV Cymru Wales 2
Rhuanedd Richards · Director BBC Cymru Wales 2
Adam Minns · Executive Director COBA 1
Benjamin King · Senior Director of Public Policy, UK and Ireland Netflix 1
Dyfrig Davies · Lead Non-Executive Member S4C 1
Efa Gruffudd Jones · Welsh Language Commissioner Comisiynydd y Gymraeg / Welsh Language Commissioner 1
Eleanor Marks · Director Wales Ofcom 1
Giles Derrington · Senior Government Relations and Public Policy Man… TikTok 1
Guto Harri — 1
Ian Davis · Chief Commercial and Engagement Officer Football Association of Wales 1
Kate Biggs · Content Policy Director Ofcom 1
Lowri Williams · Strategic Director Welsh Language Commissioner 1
Martin Mumford · Managing Director Nation Broadcasting 1
Megan Thomas · Public Policy Manager Meta 1
Nigel Walker · Acting CEO Welsh Rugby Union 1
Robert Specterman-Green · Director, Media and Creative Industries Department for Culture, Media and Sport 1
Rt Hon Sir John Whittingdale MP · Minister for Media, Tourism and Creative Industri… Department for Culture, Media and Sport 1
Sian Doyle · CEO S4C 1
Sioned William · Director Cwmni Da 1
Siân Doyle · CEO S4C 1
Siân Price · Creative Director Yeti Television 1
Terry Mann · Station Manager GTFM Radio 1
Toby Ellis · Station Manager, Director and Broadcaster Pure West Radio 1
Tomos Grace · Head of Media and Responsibility, Strategy and Op… YouTube Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 1

Correspondence

7 letters
DateDirectionTitle
13 Mar 2024 To cttee Letter from BBC Cymru Wales following on from the Committee’s Report into Broad…
24 Jan 2024 — Correspondence from BBC Wales to the Chair relating to the Committee's report o…
24 Jan 2024 — Correspondence from Ofcom to the Chair relating to the Committee's report on Br…
22 Jan 2024 — Correspondence from the Welsh Government to the Chair in response to the Commit…
16 Nov 2023 — Correspondence from the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport to the …
9 Oct 2023 — Correspondence from the Chair to the Director for Wales, Ofcom, relating to ava…
28 Jun 2023 — Correspondence from Chair to Director for Wales, Ofcom, relating to Brass-Plati…