Looking back, perhaps last year was the calm before the storm. An opportunity to savour Wales’ qualification for Euro 2016 without knowing the extraordinary, pulsating story that was later to unfold in France. An opportunity to provide unrivalled coverage of the UK General Election just a year before our political institutions were rocked to the core by the EU referendum.
Today, we have published our BBC Wales Management Review for 2015-16 and there are many creative highlights: the return of Sherlock and Hinterland, the brilliance of War & Peace (adapted by Rhiwbina’s favourite son, Andrew Davies), a glorious BBC Cardiff Singer of the World, and the debut of a brand new BBC Wales competition BBC Young Dancer. Our news output has also continued to shine a light on events at home and further afield, including Newyddion 9's authoritative coverage of the Paris terrorist attacks.
It was the year our very special orchestra thrilled audiences across South America as part of our celebrations of Patagonia 150. And it was the year we made a record contribution to the BBC’s network screens and kicked-off one of the biggest regeneration projects Cardiff has ever seen, with our new base at Central Square. We have also made real progress in serving our audiences on mobile devices, and we are determined to accelerate our innovation in this area.
The past year has also seen a passionate debate about the future of the BBC in Wales. That is to be warmly welcomed. Public broadcasting will only thrive and sustain if we are passionate in its defence, robust in its scrutiny, and unapologetically ambitious for what it can deliver and the change it can drive.
The challenge we have been set is clear: to hear more of the stories of Wales on our screens across Wales, and right across the UK. This is just the sort of creative challenge we relish.
My thanks to everybody who has contributed to the BBC’s ongoing success in Wales and has raised their voice in support of the organisation at such an important moment. I believe Wales is one of Europe’s most exciting creative communities and our review rightly celebrates the achievements of so many talented individuals and teams inside and outside the BBC.
Finally I’d like to say an enormous thank you to our National Trustee, Elan Closs Stephens and all those who’ve served on Wales’ Audience Council. Their commitment to public broadcasting has driven progress on so many fronts, increasing the availability of our two national radio stations across Wales, improving the prominence of Welsh language services online, and focusing attention on the challenges facing English language television in Wales. It is a track record of real achievement.
