At last week's Culture, Welsh Language and Communications Committee session on broadcasting, we were asked about coverage of Wales on ITV network news. We said we would check and get back to the committee. Please could you make available to members. Many thanks.

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We have checked with ITN and these are the main Welsh news stories that have been covered across ITV's network lunchtime, evening and News At Ten programmes this year:

Steel Crisis (January onwards)

-        Major story: regular of reports on Tata's plans for Port Talbot plant (many lead item).

-        Ongoing story.

Welsh Assembly Election (April/May):

-        "Labour set to be largest party despite drop in support" 25 April

-        Welsh Elections preview ,29 April

-        "Parties prepare for electoral tests across the country", 04 May

-        On the day results, 6 May

-        "Stalemate" vote in Senedd

-        Rise of UKIP in Wales

-        Hamilton "concubine" row

E-cigarettes

-        "Welsh Govt considers banning e-cigarettes in public places" (02 April)

Wales in the Euros (June/July)

-        Numerous news items following Wales' progress throughout tournament

-        Features on Good Morning Britain

-        Coverage of Welsh team's "Homecoming"

(Note: a record 1.3 million viewers in Wales watched ITV's live coverage of the Wales v Portugal semi-final match.)

EU Referendum

-        Mention of result in Wales as part of UK-wide round-up (23 June)

NHS in Wales (ongoing)

-        Various items referencing Welsh NHS, contrasting with the situation in England.

Olympics (August)

-        Item on family of Welsh gold medallist Jade Jones

Aberfan (October)

-        There will be significant coverage of the 50th anniversary of the Aberfan disaster including extensive reports on News At Ten and on Good Morning Britain.

-        Major live coverage planned on anniversay 21 October.

Other news items

-        Sports item on Wales' return visit to Twickenham following defeat of England in Rugby World Cup 6 months earlier.

-        Killing of Matalan couple in Cardiff

-        Broadband problems in rural areas (case study from Wales)

-        Bedroom tax (case study from Wales)  

Drama

-        A new series of network drama Safe House is currently being filmed in Anglesey, directed by award-winning Welsh director Marc Evans (who also directed The Aberfan Young Wives' Club which has been produced in Cardiff under the Shiver Cymru label).

-        We understand from our Programmes Commissioning team in London that we one drama project in development with Bad Wolf, who develop projects in London and LA and also have a permanent production base in south Wales.

Huw Rossiter

Rheolwr Materion Cyhoeddus
Public Affairs Manager