Coimisiún na Meán has today (14.04.2026) announced almost €6.4 million in funding for a wide range of new radio and TV productions as part of the latest round of the Sound & Vision scheme. Round 58 will support and promote new and culturally significant programmes for Irish audiences, including in the Irish language, for broadcast across national, regional, local and community broadcasting services. The funding package includes €725,000 for 47 radio projects and €5.6 million for 21 TV projects.
Welcoming the funding announcement today, Media Development Commissioner for Coimisiún na Meán Rónán Ó Domhnaill said: “This funding will allow for the continued support for a variety of programming for a diversity of audiences across all of Ireland. It will also support and foster creativity and greater sustainability within the broadcasting and independent production sectors. Over €2.9 million will support Irish language or bilingual projects and this will increase the range and sources of Irish language programming content across a range of channels.”
“We also want to acknowledge the continued support of our Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan who was able to secure over €1.4 million in exchequer funding for this round of the Sound & Vision Scheme.”
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan said: “The Sound and Vision scheme has, for the past two decades, been an essential means of protecting, preserving and enriching our cultural and creative diversity, providing invaluable support for the production of high-quality public service content. The additional funding that I have provided will enable continued support for our broadcasting and independent production sectors, while enhancing the availability of Irish language productions, empowering our creative storytellers and promoting a diverse range of content for Irish audiences.”
Examples of successful applications include:
- One Day – Many Voices – Independent Radio Diversity and Inclusion Day 2026 produced by Learning Waves for broadcast on a range of commercial radio stations. This series of programmes will celebrate diversity and inclusivity on 23 Irish Independent Radio stations co-ordinated by Learning Waves.
- Lasta le HTG – TG4’s unapologetically bold Irish-language entertainment series, produced by Iris Productions. ‘How to Gael’s’ Doireann Ní Ghlacáin, Louise Cantillon and Síomha Ní Ruairc host a high-energy hour in a contemporary síbín with major guests, live music, comedy and audience-sparked craic.
- The Great Mongolian Games – This two-part documentary produced by Eoin Shehan for broadcast on Newstalk, will examine the utterly unique society of Mongolia, and how it is represented by Naadam, a summer extravaganza of sports and culture. The episodes will feature a totally fresh, truly Irish, first-person account of a journey through the most sparsely populated country on earth.
- Say My Name – A compelling and relevant new entertainment format and social experiment, with a media literacy focus. In a world where we leave digital traces everywhere, could you keep your identity secret? To win, you must name your fellow Strangers whilst remaining nameless yourself. Stellify Media will produce for broadcast on Virgin Media One.
- Green Beat – A weekly daytime feature produced and broadcast by Ocean FM, will bring issues around climate change, sustainability and environment to audiences across the northwest. The programmes will draw in people, communities and organisations working on the ground in our communities to educate, provide solutions and inspire action in relation to environmental issues.
- Maddie & Triggs 2 – This preschool animated children’s comedy series, produced by Turnip & Duck for broadcast on RTÉjr, continues the family-friendly adventures of Maddie, a thoughtful seven-year-old girl who happens to have a vision impairment, and her doggy best friend, Triggs. They find music and adventure in the sounds of the everyday.
- In The Light of the Sun – A Poet’s Archive – 100 years after his birth, the life and works of the neglected queer Irish poet Pearse Hutchinson comes to light in this landmark documentary. Produced by Regan Hutchins for broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM.
- Hillside Drive – New drama feature film for broadcast on RTÉ One, produced by Element Pictures. In 1970s Dublin, 12-year-old Davey Rubenstein prepares for his Bar Mitzvah while becoming increasingly aware of the complexities of his homelife and the adult world around him. Seen from the perspective of Davey and his father Eddie, Hillside Drive tracks a pivotal year in the life of a family in flux.
- Woven in Tradition – Woven in Tradition journeys deep into the heart of South Kerry, where textiles are more than craft, they are memory, identity, and community. Produced by Mairéad Ní Mhathúna for broadcast on Radio Kerry.
- Dancing to a Different Drum – An exploration of the work of one of the most innovative musicians working in Ireland today showing how Eamonn Cagney’s daring approach has taken percussion into new and exciting directions across a variety of genres in both his own compositions and in collaboration with some of Ireland`s leading composers. Produced by JJ O’Shea for broadcast on RTÉ Lyric FM.
- Four Corners – Produced by and for broadcast on Athlone Community Radio, this vibrant 10-part documentary will explore Irish life through the eyes of locals and newcomers. Blending stories, humour, music and rich soundscapes, it celebrates cultural diversity across the Midlands and beyond offering an accessible, human portrait of modern Ireland’s evolving identity.
An Coimisiún’s Sound & Vision Scheme continues to be oversubscribed, having received 172 applications requesting a total of €20.3 million. A significant volume of high-quality applications were submitted for assessment, in particular TV Drama projects, both series and feature film. The selection of successful applications provides an overall balance of funding and programming that addresses the scheme’s objectives and adds to the variety of viewing options for Irish audiences. Successful drama projects will make up 24% of the funding allocated and includes funding for a new Irish language family film based on the novel ‘The Island of Horses’ by Eilís Dillon.