CnaM Sound & Vision

Sound & Vision is the flagship public-funding scheme operated by Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) (formerly run by the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland). Now in its fourth iteration as S&V4. Funds programmes for Irish broadcast that meet specific cultural or public-interest themes.

Scheme structure

S&V4 funds programmes intended for Irish broadcast, in any of CnaM's published themes (cultural identity, language, current affairs, education, etc.). Awards are competitive and round-based.

Funding ceilings — three-tier matrix

The tier depends on the project's profile. A broadcaster letter (commitment from an Irish broadcaster to transmit) is required for most categories.

Peak-time requirement

Most categories require commitment from a broadcaster to transmit in peak time as part of the eligibility test.

State-aid territory rule

S&V funds are public money and count toward the State Aid — the EU cumulation cap and its mitigations cumulation. A production drawing significant S&V plus Section 481 — the Irish scripted tax credit credit plus other public funding needs careful state-aid mapping to stay below the 50% threshold (especially under Section 487A — the Irish unscripted tax credit where the threshold is an auto-disqualifier).

Rounds

Rounds open regularly — typically two per year for general open rounds plus occasional themed/strategic rounds. The current live rounds are tracked on the CnaM site.

Programme makers' letter

Submissions include a programme makers' letter explaining the production's case, the broadcaster commitment, and how the production meets the published theme.

In Togra

S&V awards are tracked under Soft money for state-aid cumulation purposes. CnaM is also surfaced separately under Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) as a regulator.