05/04/2017

£11m Funding Announced For BBC NI

The BBC has announced it will be investing over £11 million in additional funding into services in Northern Ireland over the next three years.

The investment will enable BBC Northern Ireland to transform its digital output across news, sport and other areas, produce more drama, factual and comedy content on BBC One NI and boost its service to younger audiences.

Over the next three years, the additional £11m investment will facilitate:

• An enhanced digital service from BBC News NI, with improved news coverage throughout the day and weekends.

• Greater coverage of local sport online, including live streaming of events across a range of sports.

• A 50 per cent increase in commissioning spend on local television content - meaning more drama, comedy and factual programmes and events on BBC One Northern Ireland.

• New digital content and services for younger audiences and new digital investment in radio.

• New content to mark major historical anniversaries in Northern Ireland.

Tony Hall, BBC Director-General, said: "This is great news for BBC Northern Ireland, but more importantly, great news for audiences. It is the biggest single investment the BBC has made in Northern Ireland in 20 years. It will transform our digital output - for news and sport and more. It means more drama, factual and comedy content. All things we know the public love and want from the BBC."

(CD/LM)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

01 November 2019
BBC Three Scheme Launches For NI Production Firms
BBC Three is inviting independent production companies based in Northern Ireland to submit format ideas as part of a youth content development scheme with the promise of a factual entertainment series for the channel.
09 March 2012
BBC To Commemorate Titantic
BC Northern Ireland will mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic Titanic with a season of special programming to commemorate the 1,500 lives lost when the ship sank a century ago and to celebrate the craftsmanship behind Belfast’s most famous creation.
12 September 2011
Thousands Flocked To Bangor BBC Proms
Thousands of people enjoyed an evening of classical and contemporary music in the grounds of Castle Park, Bangor at this year's BBC Proms in the Park on Saturday 10 September.
06 May 2010
North West 200 Gets 'Greenlight'
The North West 200 motorcycle race event is a continuing hit with TV viewers with an Isle of Man programme-maker revving-up for the BBC coverage. Greenlight TV has signed a five-year deal with BBC Northern Ireland for production of the race for this year's live and highlight coverage of Ireland's most famous road race.
18 March 2008
Arresting Time As BBC NI Journalists Make The News
BBC Northern Ireland journalists have found themselves making the headlines in a new capacity after being involved in a dramatic police chase in Co Donegal. Police chased a white van containing, seven people - including the BBC journalists - after it failed to stop for Garda who then rammed the van.