THE number of programmes specifically designed for Welsh audiences on the BBC and ITV has dropped dramatically over the past five years, Ofcom said last night.
The media watchdog reported a 15% fall in the amount of Welsh-specific broadcasting on BBC Wales between 2005 and 2009, with a 32% fall on ITV Wales.
Ofcom said viewers’ opinions had “not become more positive” about the amount of relevant programming, with only one-third feeling satisfied with the Welsh-specific coverage.
In its annual report, the watchdog noted: “People’s views have not become more positive over time. Our research shows that only one third of people say that the PSB channels provide a good range of programmes about their nation/region and this has not changed since 2007.”
In 2005, BBC Wales broadcast 824 hours of Welsh-specific content, but in 2009 this had dropped to 696.
On ITV Wales, there were 497 hours of Welsh-specific programming in 2005, but this dropped to 340 in 2009.
