21 November 2023
S4C are working in partnership with media innovation Consortium Media Cymru to offer a free, specialist training programme on creating, financing, packaging and selling global formats that will appeal to television viewers around the world.
In addition, a contestable fund will be open to participants, with up to £10,000 in research and development (R&D) funding available for eight different projects.
The opportunity, developed by Media Cymru partner University of South Wales, will focus on non-scripted format ideas. Following recent format successes with shows like The Great House Giveaway (Tŷ Am Ddim), Reunion Hotel (Gwesty Aduniad) and Take a Hike (Am Dro), S4C is working with the Consortium to find and develop the global format hits of the future.
Successful applicants to the programme will receive training from Grand Scheme Media as well as targeted briefings and market intelligence. Further stages of the scheme offer opportunities to bid for substantial, contestable development funding and additional support, with an eye to getting at least one successful idea to pilot stage.
This programme is fully funded by Media Cymru, and is delivered in partnership with Grand Scheme Media and S4C.
Iwan England, S4C's head of Unscripted, said: "We've recently seen growth in the global sales of UK formats, and producers in Wales have shown an appetite for developing and producing unscripted series that can work for local audiences and travel to other territories. I'm excited to be working with Media Cymru to ensure programme makers are supported with training, market intelligence and most importantly an investment in development."
Lee Walters, Media Cymru Funding Manager, said: "Media Cymru, with Consortium partners University of South Wales - who lead on our Skills and Training work - are delighted to be working alongside S4C to offer the Global Formats training programme to industry from 2024.
"This is a real area for growth within the sector and has the potential to put the formats of Welsh independent production companies on the world stage. We are looking forward to seeing the ideas which are sparked through training with Grand Scheme Media and then research and development (R&D) funding from Media Cymru."
Information on how to apply for a place on the training programme can be found here: https://culture.research.southwales.ac.uk/research/media-cymru/media-cymru-training-global-formats/
The application process will close on Friday 8 December.
Notes for Editors
Media Cymru is a collaboration aimed to turn Cardiff and the surrounding capital region's media sector into a global hub for media innovation with a focus on green and fair economic growth. Led by Cardiff University, this strategic investment programme brings together 23 media production, broadcast, technology, university and local leadership partners for the first time to supercharge media innovation. Consortium partners:
Media Cymru is funded through £22m from UK Research and Innovation's (UKRI) flagship Strength in Places Fund, £3m from Cardiff Capital Region, £1m from Welsh Government, through Creative Wales, and £23m match funding from industry and university partners.
