RT announces increase in animation sector support

RT announces increase in animation sector support

Brand new RT jr autumn schedule and app for Android devices

RT today announced an increased investment in animation as well as a brand new RT jr schedule across television, radio and online and a new RT jr Android app for 0-7 year olds.

RT has announced a number of new initiatives to further strengthen its support and development of the Irish animation sector at all levels.

Over the next three years, RT has committed to increasing its baseline investment in animation commissions to over 550,000 per annum, calculated across 3 years.

In addition, a new Animated Shorts for TV Scheme has been established seeking up to five original shorts for TV broadcast. This scheme is aimed at supporting the development of new ideas for broadcast.

RT has also announced a new scheme to further support Irish animation companies develop International co-production partnerships with a dedicated fund of 100,000 per annum. The new scheme will see RT actively seek at least one opportunity per annum over the next three years to support an Irish animation company collaborate on an International Co-production.

Speaking at the launch today Sheila de Courcy, Controller RT jr and Cross Divisional Head of Children s Content said, There is a wealth of talent in Ireland's animation industry. Over the past 10 years RT has worked with approximately 15 Irish animation companies on 34 original series. We have watched and supported Irish companies to go out into the global market with their ideas and have seen how their creative and business talents are respected internationally. The new schemes announced today further underline RT 's commitment to support the growth and development of the Irish animation sector, from emerging talent in our new TV shorts scheme, to a focus on international co-production, to increased investment in the commissioning of animation programming. We love having Irish animation on RT jr and are proud to play a part in enabling Irish animation to reach Irish and international audiences

A brand new autumn schedule for RT jr, RT 's ad-free tv, radio and online service for 0-7 year olds was also announced, as well as a new RT jr Android app further adding to the range of RT jr online services.

The new RT jr season will debut a range of brand new children's shows covering themes such as education, wildlife, family, history, culture and art/crafts including new animation series Havananimal and RT 's first radio Arts series for young children, CAKE.

New series Havananimal has been created from songs written by legendary broadcaster and musician Shay Healy, with recordings from Duke Special and animation by award winning director Kealan O'Rourke and Igloo Films.

Shay Healy said today: I m overjoyed to have Duke Special sing the songs in Havananimal. His voice is a beautiful instrument and it is perfect for the animation. I originally wrote the songs for my grandson over 20 years ago and it's fantastic to see how Kealan and Igloo Films have brought the songs to life through their wonderful animation. I look forward to seeing the series on screen and hope that children really enjoy it .

Havananimal is one of 8 new series announced today across RT jr which include Makers, a series about Irish crafts made especially for young children; Magical Sites, an engaging new series about Ireland's most important national monuments; Out and About which follows the Doyle family's adventures on days out and about in their local area in North Mayo; I Want a Pet for the animal mad youngsters out there; Our Seaside, an observational documentary series exploring day to day life with the Lynn family, Dig In Diner a new food series hosted by waitress Muireann (Muireann Ni Chiobhain) and featuring Digger the Gardener (Paddy Courtney) and Kidspeak, the RT jr series which meets kids with all sorts of interests.

On RT jr radio CAKE, RT 's first radio arts series for young children which begins on October 18th will be hosted by Abie Philbin Bowman.

In addition, RT jr is delighted to announce that its popular RT jr app is now available for Android as well as iOS devices. The App which is ad-free and available for free download enables youngsters to watch the RT jr TV channel live as well as the best of RT jr TV and radio programming available on demand and to download offline.

Sheila de Courcy added, We are very proud to announce our new programmes for the season, which feature a huge range of strong public service content across many genres. Our new Android app adds to the service we provide for Ireland's youngest citizens and will further enhance the RT jr experience for little ones .

Click here for a preview of the RT jr autumn schedule.

LINK:	http://www.rte.ie/about/en/press-office/press-releases/2015/1014/73482...
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