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BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales
Wales

native_name = Cymru|conventional_long_name = Wales|common_name = Wales|image_flag = Flag of Wales 2.svg|national_motto = ...
. Based at Broadcasting House in the Llandaff
Llandaff

Llandaff is a district in the Cardiff North of Cardiff, capital of Wales, having been incorporated into the city in 1922, and is also the see of a Diocese of Llandaff of the Church in Wales, covering the most populous area of South Wales....
 area of Cardiff
Cardiff

Cardiff is the Capital , largest city and most populous Unitary authority#Wales in Wales. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for many national cultural and sport institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of Welsh Assembly Government ....
, it directly employs over 1200 people, and produces a broad range of television, radio and online services in both the Welsh and English languages.

Outside London, BBC Wales is the largest BBC production centre in the UK, partly due to its slate of Welsh language programmes.






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BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the British Broadcasting Corporation for Wales
Wales

native_name = Cymru|conventional_long_name = Wales|common_name = Wales|image_flag = Flag of Wales 2.svg|national_motto = ...
. Based at Broadcasting House in the Llandaff
Llandaff

Llandaff is a district in the Cardiff North of Cardiff, capital of Wales, having been incorporated into the city in 1922, and is also the see of a Diocese of Llandaff of the Church in Wales, covering the most populous area of South Wales....
 area of Cardiff
Cardiff

Cardiff is the Capital , largest city and most populous Unitary authority#Wales in Wales. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for many national cultural and sport institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of Welsh Assembly Government ....
, it directly employs over 1200 people, and produces a broad range of television, radio and online services in both the Welsh and English languages.

Outside London, BBC Wales is the largest BBC production centre in the UK, partly due to its slate of Welsh language programmes. The BBC Wales television channel debuted on 1 February 1964 to much fanfare (short television promotions proclaimed: "Wales gets its very own TV service in 1964!") . However the BBC had actually been producing television programmes in Wales since the mid-50s. The first tv production studios were established in a converted church (since demolished) in Broadway,Cardiff. The entrance was in Sapphire Street off Clifton Street. The first programmes were produced and transmitted live from in a tiny temporary studio - later to become part of the scenery-dock whilst two proper studios were created within the structure of the church. One was a medium-size drama and music studio and the other a discussion and news studio from which the daily Welsh language magazine "Heddiw" and the daily English Language news programme "BBC Wales Today" were produced from 1962 on. In this pre-videotape era film was played into programmes from a telecine machine in Bristol or London until telecine was actually installed in Broadway. Film processing for news was carried out by a firm called Park Pictures in Cardiff until BBC processing was installed in Stacey Road.

Prior to 1964 BBC Wales had had to share its television channel with the West of England as the Wenvoe transmitter near Cardiff also served viewers in the West of England. The 20 minute slot for tv news at six each evening was therefore split between "Wales Today" and the West of England news programme "Points West". The establishment of the BBC Wales dedicated channel in February 1964 (transmitted from a new mast built alongside the main transmitter mast at Wenvoe) enabled a full length "Wales Today" to be broadcast for the first time along with other Welsh and English-language programming for Wales.

Overview

BBC Cymru Wales produces television
Television

Television is a widely used telecommunication mass-media for transmitting and receiving moving , either monochrome or color, usually accompanied by sound....
 programming in English
English language

English is a West Germanic language that originated in Anglo-Saxon England and has lingua franca status in many parts of the world as a result of the military, economic, scientific, political and cultural influence of the British Empire in the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries and that of the United States from the mid 20th century onwa...
 and Welsh
Welsh language

Welsh ]], is a member of the Brythonic branch of Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, in England by some along the Welsh Marches and in the Welsh settlement in Argentina in the Chubut Valley in Argentina Patagonia....
 both for the "opt out
Opt out

Opt out, is a term used in broadcasting when a nation or region splits from the main national output. In the United Kingdom, BBC Scotland often opts-out of the main BBC One schedule in favour of locally relevant programming....
" sections of the BBC One
BBC One

BBC One is the primary television channel of the BBC . It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular public television service with a high level of ....
 and Two
BBC Two

BBC Two is the second major terrestrial television channel of the BBC, aimed at a wide range of subject matter and interests, and specialising in intelligent yet popular programme genres....
 network feeds, and for the dedicated Welsh-language channel S4C
S4C

S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Wales television channel. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh language audience, it is the fourth oldest United Kingdom terrestrial television channel ....
. Perhaps its best-known Welsh-language programme is the soap opera Pobol y Cwm
Pobol y Cwm

Pobol y Cwm is a Welsh language television soap opera produced by the BBC since October 1974. It is the longest-running television soap opera produced by the BBC, transmitted on BBC Wales television between 1974 and 1982 and then transferred to the Welsh language television station S4C when it opened in that year....
, which has run since 1974. BBC Wales also operates two radio stations: BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio Wales

BBC Radio Wales is the BBC's national radio station broadcasting to Wales in the English language. Operated by BBC Wales, it began broadcasting on 12 November 1978 following the demise of the old "Radio 4 Wales" when BBC Radio 4 became a national network and moved from medium wave to long wave....
 in English and BBC Radio Cymru
BBC Radio Cymru

BBC Radio Cymru is BBC Wales's Welsh language radio station, broadcasting throughout Wales on frequency modulation since 1977. It was one of the few FM-only radio services in the United Kingdom at the time of its launch....
, which broadcasts in Welsh and is aimed at a younger audience. The national television news programme Wales Today
BBC Wales Today

Wales Today is the BBC's national news programme for Wales, broadcast on BBC One Wales from the headquarters of BBC Wales in Llandaff, Cardiff....
 is the world's longest running daily television news programme - and was confirmed as such by Director General Michael Checkland in a speech to Cardiff Business Club. The Welsh language news service Newyddion
Newyddion

Newyddion is a Welsh language programme of world, national, and local news, broadcast daily by the S4C television channel in the United Kingdom....
, produced by BBC Wales for S4C
S4C

S4C , currently branded as S4/C, is a Wales television channel. The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh language audience, it is the fourth oldest United Kingdom terrestrial television channel ....
, combines international and UK news with the national news of Wales.

Another popular Wales-screened programme is the drama series Belonging, which as of 2005 has run for six seasons since 1999. An English language programme, Belonging is produced in-house by the BBC Wales drama department and screened on BBC One
BBC One

BBC One is the primary television channel of the BBC . It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular public television service with a high level of ....
 during an "opt out" slot from the main UK network feed. As with other such "opt outs", however, it is available to viewers elsewhere in the UK via the digital satellite platform.

As well as providing these dedicated services for Wales, BBC Wales also provides programming for the BBC's UK networks. In recent years, its drama output has been particularly successful, including the 2005 revival of the classic science-fiction
Science fiction on television

Science fiction first appeared on television during the golden age of science fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium for science fiction, which in turn contributes to its...
 series Doctor Who
Doctor Who

Doctor Who is a British Science fiction on television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a mysterious alien Time travel known as "Doctor " who travels in his space and time-ship, the TARDIS, which normally appears from the exterior to be a blue 1950s police box....
 and its spin-off Torchwood
Torchwood

Torchwood is a United Kingdom science fiction on television drama television programme, created by Russell T Davies and starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles....
 (2006). In addition, BBC Wales commissions other drama output for the BBC network from independent producers, such as Life on Mars
Life on Mars (TV series)

Life on Mars is a British Academy Television Award and Emmy-winning British science fiction and police drama British television series. It was first broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007....
 (2006–07). The BBC National Orchestra of Wales
BBC National Orchestra of Wales

The BBC National Orchestra of Wales is the only professional symphony orchestra organisation in Wales, occupying a dual role as both a radio orchestra and national orchestra....
 is currently based at Broadcasting House in Cardiff, but will move to BBC Hoddinott Hall at the Wales Millennium Centre
Wales Millennium Centre

The Wales Millennium Centre , which also has a nickname locally as the Armadillo, is a centre for the performing arts located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales....
 in January 2009, and performs regularly throughout Wales and internationally.

The BBC recently announced that they were going to concentrate on more programmes being made in Wales
Wales

native_name = Cymru|conventional_long_name = Wales|common_name = Wales|image_flag = Flag of Wales 2.svg|national_motto = ...
, Scotland
Scotland

conventional_long_name = ScotlandAlba|common_name= Scotland|image_flag = Flag of Scotland.svg|flag_width = 130px...
 and Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland

conventional_long_name = Northern Ireland|native_name= Tuaisceart ?ireannNorlin Airlann|motto =|image_map = Europe location N-IRL2.png...
, instead of most of them being made in London
London

London is the capital of both England and the United Kingdom, and the most populous municipality in the European Union. An important settlement for two millennia, History of London goes back to its founding by the Roman Empire....
 where the BBC headquarters and main studios are.

Programming


Produced in-house by BBC Cymru Wales


For Wales:
  • Wales Today
    BBC Wales Today

    Wales Today is the BBC's national news programme for Wales, broadcast on BBC One Wales from the headquarters of BBC Wales in Llandaff, Cardiff....
     (1962–present)
  • Week In Week Out (1964–present)
  • Pobol y Cwm
    Pobol y Cwm

    Pobol y Cwm is a Welsh language television soap opera produced by the BBC since October 1974. It is the longest-running television soap opera produced by the BBC, transmitted on BBC Wales television between 1974 and 1982 and then transferred to the Welsh language television station S4C when it opened in that year....
     (1974–present)
  • Belonging (1999–present)
  • First Degree (2002)
  • High Hopes
    High Hopes (TV series)

    High Hopes is a sitcom made in Wales, produced and directed by Gareth Gwenlan for BBC Wales and is set in a fictional area of the South Wales Valleys called Cwm-Pen-?l ....
     (2002–present)


For the UK:
  • The District Nurse
    The District Nurse

    The District Nurse is a United Kingdom television series, produced by BBC Wales and shown on BBC One between 1984 and 1987.The series was a period drama created by Julia Smith and Tony Holland and starred Nerys Hughes as Megan Roberts, the titular district nurse fighting to improve living conditions for the people living in a poverty s...
     (1984–1987)
  • Border Cafe
  • He Knew He Was Right
    Anthony Trollope

    Anthony Trollope became one of the most successful, prolific and respected English language novelists of the Victorian era. Some of Trollope's best-loved works, known as the Chronicles of Barsetshire, revolve around the imaginary county of Barsetshire; he also wrote penetrating novels on politics, social, gender issues and conflicts of hi...
     (2004)
  • Doctor Who
    Doctor Who

    Doctor Who is a British Science fiction on television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a mysterious alien Time travel known as "Doctor " who travels in his space and time-ship, the TARDIS, which normally appears from the exterior to be a blue 1950s police box....
     (2005–present)
  • Doctor Who Confidential
    Doctor Who Confidential

    Doctor Who Confidential is a documentary series created by the British Broadcasting Corporation to complement the revival of the long-running United Kingdom science fiction on television series Doctor Who....
     (2005–present)
  • The Chatterley Affair
    The Chatterley Affair

    File:Chatterley Affair.jpgThe Chatterley Affair is a BBC television drama, produced by BBC Wales and broadcast on BBC Four on March 20 2006....
     (2006)
  • Torchwood
    Torchwood

    Torchwood is a United Kingdom science fiction on television drama television programme, created by Russell T Davies and starring John Barrowman and Eve Myles....
     (2006-present)
  • Torchwood Declassified
    Torchwood Declassified

    Torchwood Declassified is a documentary series created by the British Broadcasting Corporation to complement the United Kingdom science fiction on television series Torchwood....
     (2006-present)
  • The Sarah Jane Adventures
    The Sarah Jane Adventures

    The Sarah Jane Adventures is a United Kingdom science fiction television series, produced by BBC Wales for CBBC, created by Russell T Davies and starring Elisabeth Sladen....
     (2007-present)


It was announced on 15 October 2008 that the BBC is expected to move the filming of shows such as Casualty
Casualty (TV series)

Casualty is the longest running emergency medical drama series in the world, and the second-longest-running medical drama in the world behind America's General Hospital....
 and Crimewatch
Crimewatch

Crimewatch is a long-running and high-profile United Kingdom television programme produced by the BBC, that Crime_reconstruction major unsolved crimes with a view to gaining information from the members of the public....
 to studios in Cardiff
Cardiff

Cardiff is the Capital , largest city and most populous Unitary authority#Wales in Wales. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for many national cultural and sport institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of Welsh Assembly Government ....
.

Commissioned from independent producers by BBC Cymru Wales


For Wales:
  • Coal House
    Coal House

    Coal House is a Welsh television series made by Indus Films for BBC Wales, and broadcast on BBC Wales in October and November 2007. Series 1 was set in the depressed economic coalfields of 1927, while Series 2 was set in 1944 as World War II draws to a close....
     (2007–2008)


For the UK:
  • Shakespeare: The Animated Tales
    Shakespeare: the Animated Tales

    Shakespeare: The Animated Tales comprised two six-part television series, first broadcast in 1992 and 1994. Each episode was an animation half-hour adaptation of one of Shakespeare plays....
     (1992, 1994)
  • Casanova (2005)
  • The Girl in the Café
    The Girl in the Café

    The Girl in the Caf? is a British television movie drama, produced by independent production company Tightrope Pictures for BBC Wales, and originally screened on BBC One in the UK on Saturday 25 June 2005....
     (2005)
  • Life on Mars
    Life on Mars (TV series)

    Life on Mars is a British Academy Television Award and Emmy-winning British science fiction and police drama British television series. It was first broadcast on BBC One between January 2006 and April 2007....
     (2006–2007)
  • Wide Sargasso Sea
    Wide Sargasso Sea (TV)

    Wide Sargasso Sea is a United Kingdom television adaptation of Jean Rhys's 1966 novel Wide Sargasso Sea.Produced by Kudos for BBC Wales, the one-off 90-minute drama was first broadcast on digital television channel BBC Four on October 9 2006....
     (2006)
  • This Life + 10
    This Life

    This Life was a BBC television drama, produced by World Productions and screened on BBC Two, running for two series in 1996 and 1997 and a reunion special in 2007....
     (2007)
  • Ashes to Ashes
    Ashes to Ashes (TV series)

    Ashes to Ashes is a British television drama series which serves as a sequel to the 2006 series Life on Mars . It is a Kudos production for the BBC, which was broadcast on BBC One....
     (2008-present, spinoff of Life on Mars)
  • Merlin
    Merlin (TV series)

    Merlin is a United Kingdom television drama series that began in 2008. It is based on the Arthurian legends of the mythical wizard Merlin and his relationship with King Arthur, though differs significantly from more traditional versions of the myth....
     (2008)
  • The Wright Taste
    The Wright Taste

    The Wright Taste is 5 part BBC Wales documentary series that started in late October 2008.It follows food critic and restaurateur Simon Wright's journey farming animals from field to fork....
     (2008)
  • "Being Human
    Being Human

    Being Human is a 1993 in film film starring Robin Williams.The film portrays the experience of a single human soul through various incarnations....
    " (2009)


External links