Broadcasting in Wales Deemed Inadequate, Report Warns
A recent report has highlighted that "inadequate" broadcasting diminishes Wales, leaving its citizens less informed about the political structures that govern their lives.
The Senedd's culture committee recommends that major broadcasters including the BBC, ITV, and increase their investment in Wales-focused programming for UK audiences and enhance coverage of devolved matters.
The committee reiterates its prior call for the BBC to boost spending on English-language television programming in Wales until it "approaches parity" with spending in Scotland.
Responses from broadcasters include the BBC stating its Wales-related content has seen "real success in recent years," and noting a 275% increase in its spending in Wales over the past decade. ITV has been requested to respond to the report.
The committee also advocates for increased funding for the Welsh language channel S4C and urges that the BBC's budget at least keeps pace with inflation.
Committee Chair Highlights Media Shortcomings
In the report's foreword, Delyth Jewell, Plaid Cymru Senedd member and committee chair, describes media content in Wales as "inadequate."
"This diminishes Wales on a civic and democratic level, as people cannot see themselves on their screens," Jewell states, adding it leaves citizens "less well-informed about the political structures that govern their lives."
Jewell criticizes Ofcom's media regulation as appearing to "maintain the status quo." She notes that "the BBC and S4C are dealing with long-term funding cuts, whilst ITV does not seem to see increasing content for Wales as being in their shareholders' interests."
Jewell urges UK ministers to "take responsibility for driving meaningful improvements in media content for Wales, rather than managing the current state of inadequacy."
Disparities in BBC Spending Highlighted
The report reveals that the BBC allocated £31 million to English-language TV content in Wales for 2024-25, compared to £76 million in Scotland, which includes funding for a dedicated BBC Scotland channel that Wales lacks.
In a letter to BBC executives included in the report, Jewell writes:
"We do not think that the fact that Scotland has a population 74% larger than Wales justifies the BBC spending over 100 per cent more on content for local content in Scotland than Wales. Wales has the same breadth of devolved political institutions as Scotland, which require the same journalistic coverage, regardless of population size."
The report recommends that "the BBC's spend on English-language television content in Wales should grow year-on-year until it approaches parity with the BBC's spend on English language content in Scotland."
Calls for ITV and to Increase Welsh Content
The committee urges ITV to "develop a strategy, with targets, to increase its network spend in Wales," referring to investment in programmes made for a UK-wide audience.
ITV is also encouraged to "increase its spend on content for Wales, and have a strategy to do so consistently across the rest of its licence period," according to the culture committee.
In correspondence with ITV, Jewell cites 2024 figures from Ofcom indicating that "ITV's network spend in Wales was 0.8% of the UK total," a slight increase from near zero in 2022.
"We remain of the view that ITV's network spend in Wales is unacceptably low," Jewell states, adding that a recent appearance by senior ITV figures before the committee "has not reassured" members that the broadcaster has a meaningful plan to increase investment.
The report acknowledges the "positive impact of the steps" has taken to establish a presence in Cardiff and urges the broadcaster to create a "Welsh hub" with a specific strategy and clear targets to increase its network spend in Wales.
Recommendations for Network News and Funding
The report calls on all UK network news providers to continue improving their coverage of devolved policy issues.
With the BBC currently negotiating with the UK government over its future and licence fee funding ahead of the royal charter renewal in 2027, the culture committee emphasizes that "universal access" to BBC services remains central and that funding should at least keep pace with inflation.
The committee also stresses that S4C, funded by the licence fee, should receive increased, guaranteed funding to address past cuts and rising digital costs.
Both broadcasters are urged to continue receiving funding through a "universal mechanism," such as the licence fee or another payment system applicable to all households, with exceptions for those unable to pay.
Broadcasters' Responses
A BBC spokesperson said:
"In terms of TV content, there has been real success in recent years, with viewing of Wales-related content on BBC up 140%. And there are exciting changes ahead, with Casualty, for example soon to be set in a Welsh hospital as we build on our commitment to portray stories that reflect the nation. We'll keep building on that success, despite financial pressures with a clear focus of delivering for our audiences in Wales."
stated:
"We have committed to increasing main channel content spend and programme hours outside England from 9% to 12% by 2028, two years ahead of Ofcom's requirement and our spend in Wales reached £15m in 2024, an increase of 275% from a decade previously. We have strengthened our support for Welsh indies by introducing dedicated Lead Commissioning Editors to deepen relationships and improve access to commissioners."
S4C commented:
"S4C welcomes the committee's continued support for the future of public service broadcasting in Wales – and values the cross‑party support to secure sufficient and sustainable funding for S4C. This is essential in enabling S4C to reach and grow audiences across platforms, continue to innovate, and support the creative economy across Wales. This week, S4C has published its response to the BBC Charter Review, highlighting the need for long‑term financial certainty beyond March 2028, funding arrangements that keep pace with inflation, and a strong and fair partnership with the BBC that secures a stable future for S4C."
An Ofcom spokesperson said:
"We were grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the culture committee's work earlier this year, and we'll now carefully consider their recommendations before providing a formal response in due course."
