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Press Release , 27/06/07
Omni Television, the Cardiff based facility company has won two major contracts from BBC Wales. Omni is a subsidiary of Welsh owned Barcud Derwen Group, the largest television and film facility outside of London in the United Kingdom.
The first contract awarded is to provide Outside Broadcast services for BBC Wales' general programmes and events. This includes the National Eisteddfod and the Bryn Terfel Faenol Festival. BBC Wales is also responsible for some major network events such as the Leeds Piano Competition and Glyndebourne as well as Cardiff Singer of the World which was held at Cardiff's St. David's Hall earlier this month and Omni will be providing facilities for these events for the next three years.
The second contract is for all domestic rugby in Wales for the next three years. BBC Wales, not only produces Scrum V on a Friday evening but also Clwb Rygbi for S4C on a Saturday. Omni will work closely with BBC Wales Operations department employing a mix of BBC Wales staff, freelances and personnel from the Barcud Derwen group to service the contract.
Both agreements together represent the largest television facility contract ever awarded in Wales.
Omni is currently building a £3.7 million Hi Definition Outside Broadcast Unit which will be the first to be based in Wales and will be used extensively to service these programmes alongside the group's fleet of O.B. trucks.
Barcud Derwen was formed when Barcud and Derwen merged ten years ago. Barcud was originally formed to service programmes made by the independent sector in Wales working for S4C and celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The group now consists of 15 companies in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is the Host Broadcaster at the National Assembly for Wales and in a joint venture with Parthenon Entertainment distributes S4C's programmes throughout the world. Omni is the latest venture for the group and was set up last year and is based at Culverhouse Cross in Cardiff where, as well as providing Outside Broadcast facilities, runs the 7500sq.ft studio within ITV Wales' building.
Omni is headed by Tony Cahalane who is supervising the building of the new O.B. vehicle. He said 'The truck is being built with work like this in mind. It is ideal for covering large events, music and sport. We are already planning a second truck to supplement the one we will have on the road soon. I'm very much really looking forward to expanding on an already successful relationship, working with the BBC production and operations staff.'
Bryn Roberts, Barcud Derwen's Group Managing Director paid tribute to Tony Cahalane's work in preparing the presentation where the contracts were won. 'Since joining the company Tony has worked hard to ensure that the company was well prepared when these tenders were advertised. It will be great for us to work on such a high standard of programming with our new state of the art Hi Def O.B.'
David Mackie, BBC Wales' Head of Production commented. 'Omni's bids for both contracts offer good value and they were chosen after a rigorous selection process. We are looking forward to a successful relationship'.
The contracts commence with BBC Wales' coverage from the National Eisteddfod from Mold in August this year.
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