S4C

Sianel Pedwar Cymru

S4C logo

S4C logo used from 2014.
Launched 1 November 1982
Owned by S4C Authority
Picture format 576i (SDTV 16:9)
Audience share 0.06% (September 2015 (2015-09), BARB)
Country United Kingdom (Wales)
Language Welsh
(English subtitles available on some programmes)
Headquarters Llanishen, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom
Website s4c.cymru/cy (Welsh)
s4c.cymru/en (English)
Availability
Terrestrial
Freeview Channel 4 (Wales only)
Satellite
Freesat Channel 104 (in Wales)
Channel 120 (rest of UK and Ireland)
Sky Channel 104 (in Wales)
Channel 134 (rest of UK and Ireland)
Astra 2F 12515 H 22000 5/6
Cable
Virgin Media Channel 166
Streaming media
S4C Online Watch live (UK and Ireland)
TVPlayer Watch live (UK only)
BBC iPlayer Watch live (UK)

S4C (Welsh pronunciation: [ɛs ˈpʰɛdwar ɛkʰ], from the Welsh Sianel Pedwar Cymru, meaning "Channel Four Wales") is a Welsh-language public-service television channel based in Cardiff and broadcast throughout Wales.

The first television channel to be aimed specifically at a Welsh-speaking audience, S4C is (after BBC One, ITV, BBC Two and Sky1) the fifth-oldest television channel in the United Kingdom (Channel 4 was launched in the rest of the country one day later.) Its chief executive since April 2012 is Ian Jones.[1]

When first established, the channel—initially broadcast on analogue television—was bilingual (Welsh and English) outside peak hours, with English-language content consisting of the simultaneous or deferred transmission of programmes from Channel 4 (analogue reception of which was unavailable in most of Wales). When digital television arrived several years later, S4C added a second, 100% Welsh-language service, called S4C Digidol ("digital"). With the completion of the digital switchover in Wales on 31 March 2010—which made English-language Channel 4 available across Wales—S4C's bilingual analogue channel closed, and what had been S4C Digidol became the default S4C channel, available on Freeview, satellite and cable, and broadcasting entirely in Welsh. S4C does not commission programming in English, but when English is used on the channel it is left untranslated.

A high-definition service called S4C Clirlun ("clear picture"), simulcasting S4C's main channel, began transmission on 30 April 2010 on Freeview channel 53 in Wales.[2][3] However, it was announced on 11 July 2012 that, as part of cost-saving measures designed to deal with the impact of cuts to S4C's public funding, the Clirlun channel would close before the end of the year.[4] Channel 4 HD began broadcasting in Wales from 2 December 2012 in its place.[5]

Pre-history

Before the launch of S4C, Welsh speakers had been served by occasional programmes in Welsh, broadcast as regional opt-outs on BBC Wales and HTV Cymru Wales (the ITV franchise in Wales), usually at off-peak or inconvenient times. This was unsatisfactory for Welsh speakers, who saw the arrangement as a sop, and also an annoyance for non-Welsh speakers, who found the English programmes seen in the rest of the UK often rescheduled or not transmitted at all.[6]

In 1962 the ITV network had created a licence area for North and West Wales, which was awarded to Wales (West and North) Limited. This traded as Teledu Cymru and provided significant levels of Welsh-language programming. However, problems with transmission infrastructure and poor market research led to financial difficulties within two years and the station was taken over by its neighbour Television Wales and West.

During the 1970s, Welsh-language activists had campaigned for a TV service in the language, which already had its own radio station, BBC Radio Cymru. Both the Conservative and Labour parties promised a Welsh-language fourth channel, if elected to government in the 1979 general election.[7] Shortly after the Conservatives won a majority in the election, the new home secretary William Whitelaw decided against a Welsh fourth channel, and suggested that, except for an occasional opt-out, the service should be the same as that offered in the rest of the UK. This led to acts of civil disobedience, including refusals to pay the television licence fee, thereby running the risk of prosecution or even a prison sentence, and sit-ins in BBC and HTV studios. Some took more extreme measures, including attacking television transmitters in Welsh-speaking areas.

In 1980, the former president of Plaid Cymru, Gwynfor Evans, threatened to go on hunger strike if the Conservative government of Margaret Thatcher did not honour its commitment to provide a Welsh-language TV service.[8] The channel started broadcasting on 1 November 1982, the night before Channel 4's opening. S4C appointed its first female CEO, Iona Jones in 2005.

Programming

The headquarters of S4C in Llanishen, Cardiff

S4C's remit is to provide a service which features a wide range of programmes in the Welsh language. Like Channel 4, S4C does not produce programmes of its own; instead, it commissions programmes from BBC Cymru Wales and independent producers[9] (although the quantity purchased from ITV Cymru Wales has greatly reduced since the early years of S4C), and it has particularly developed a reputation for commissioning animation, such as SuperTed, Sam Tân (which became Fireman Sam in its English version on the BBC), Gogs and Shakespeare: The Animated Tales.

BBC Wales fulfils its public service requirement by producing programmes in Welsh, including Newyddion, S4C's news bulletin, and a soap opera, Pobol y Cwm, and providing them to S4C free of charge. It has also provided (or licensed) Welsh-language versions of English-language programmes, e.g., The Tweenies. On the analogue service, S4C showed programmes produced for Channel 4 in the rest of the United Kingdom ― either simultaneously or time-shifted ― outside of peak hours. These programmes were provided to S4C by Channel 4, free of charge.[10]

To make content more accessible to English speakers, all Welsh-language programming carries English subtitles. Originally these were on Teletext page 888, with Welsh subtitles on page 889, with both subtitle languages now also available on digital television platforms. For speakers of English who are learning Welsh, certain programmes, particularly children's programmes Planed Plant Bach and Planed Plant, carry subtitles featuring Welsh subtitles with additional English translations in brackets next to more difficult Welsh-language words. TV films produced for S4C have received some good foreign reviews; Hedd Wyn was nominated for the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 1993 and Solomon & Gaenor was nominated in 1999.

The S4C analogue signal also spilled over on to the east coast of the Republic of Ireland. In the past it was rebroadcast in a number of areas there on UHF terrestrial signals by so-called 'deflectors', however Channel 4 is now re-transmitted from satellite by the few remaining deflectors. Up until the 1990s, S4C was also carried by some Irish cable and MMDS providers before being replaced by Channel 4.[11] The S4C signal also continues to overspill into the Republic of Ireland via the Freesat satellite service.

Up until 2009, S4C ran its own teletext service, Sbectel ("Sbec", Welsh for "a peek" or "a glimpse", and a reference to an S4C schedule insert formerly included in the TV Times issues for the HTV Wales region).

Digital channels

Following the switch-off of analogue terrestrial signals on 31 March 2010, Wales became the first fully digital region in the UK, with both S4C and Channel 4 now available to all homes.[12] As a result, S4C now broadcasts solely in the Welsh language and, as well as on Freeview in Wales, is available throughout Britain, Ireland and the rest of western Europe on Freesat and Sky. A review commissioned by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport in 2004 suggested that "S4C should operate a single core service after digital switchover".[13]

Logo of the former channel S4C2

In addition, S4C also operated a sister channel, S4C2 until 2010. It formerly broadcast coverage of the National Assembly for Wales when in session. The programme content was provided by the BBC who, from January 2010, now make it available online and via BBC Parliament. Like the main channel, S4C2 was available within Wales on Freeview and throughout the UK and Ireland on Freesat and Sky. S4C2 had two audio feeds, allowing viewers to select between an untranslated version and an English-only version where all Welsh spoken is translated into English. Delayed coverage of Assembly proceedings is now broadcast overnight on S4C's main channel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. In addition to the analogue TV signal transmitted throughout Wales, S4C, along with United News & Media, owned the company S4C Digital Networks (SDN). SDN was awarded the UK-wide contract to provide half a digital multiplex worth of programming. The other half continues to belong to the broadcaster Channel 5.

On 27 April 2005 S4C sold its share of SDN to ITV plc for approximately £34 million, though it still has the half-multiplex as of right in Wales. ITV already owned some of SDN due to the consolidation of the ITV industry: Granada bought UNM's stake in SDN, and this was then incorporated into the united ITV plc. In January 2007, S4C announced plans to launch a Welsh-language children's service.[14] The new service, in the form of a programming block, launched on 23 June 2008. Under the name "Cyw" (English: Chick), it brings together a wide range of programmes for nursery-age children, and S4C plans eventually to extend the service to include the "Stwnsh" strand for older children and a third service for teenagers and young people. The service currently airs on weekdays from 7am to 1.30pm on S4C.

S4C launched a High-Definition simulcast of S4C called 'Clirlun' on 19 July 2010 to coincide with terrestrial digital switchover in Wales.[15] Clirlun was broadcast on Freeview channel 53 only, and not via other platforms. However, following funding cuts and a review of core services it was announced on 11 July 2012 that Clirlun would close before the end of the year.[16] Clirlun closed at midnight on the evening of 1 December 2012, with Channel 4 HD taking over its transmission capacity with effect from the next day, 2 December 2012.[5]

In December 2014 S4C became available on the BBC iPlayer website, both live and on demand, as part of an 18-month trial.[17]

Presentation

1982–1988

S4C's first logo, used from 1982 to 1988

S4C's on-air appearance has always been a representation of the Welsh society and people, but this representation has changed several times. Initial idents featured clips from the natural landscapes of Wales with a basic logo animation and fanfare, with the logo forming as WALES4CYMRU.[18]

1988–1993

S4C's second logo, used from 1987 to 1995

In 1988, the ident changed to a computer-generated ident featuring an animation of the streamlined S4C logo, the colours of the logo were blue, green and red and the font was Bodoni. In 1990, the new ident was introduced in S4C, depicting a piece of Welsh slate with colour blue, green and red washing over the letters S4C. There were several versions for the idents. This ident was used for S4C Clasuron Fideo in 1991 until 1993.

1993–2007

S4C's third logo, used from 1995 to 2007

In September 1993, S4C introduced a new series of idents, which depicted inanimate objects as having characteristics of dragons (such as flight or breathing fire), as a reference to the red dragon on the flag of Wales. S4C's logo was also refreshed in c.February 1995, now using a red Futura typeface, and a tilde representing a dragon.

Regular idents included: Entertainment/Flags (several versions, until 2000), Kite, Gas Pump Dragon (until 2000), Dragon-Man (several versions), Scissors, Tongs (Scissors version), Clockwork Dragon (schools programming until June 1999), Sousaphone (several versions), Standpipe, Extinguisher (two versions), Iron, Pencil (two versions), Pedal Bin, Fan (several versions), Curly Light, Screen (sports programming until October 2004), Spray Can (until 2000), Tiled Carousel Dragon (schools programming), Stapler, Mouse, Shower, Vacuum Cleaner, Garlic Crusher, Magic Hat, Lawnmower, Sunday Drama Night, Loudspeaker, Egg-Cup and Chwaraeon/Sport.

Special idents included: Christmas idents, Preview Screen (Mouse version), St. David's Day idents, Rugby World Cup 2003, Mawr 2004 (ITV ident), Cofio 60, Eisteddfod 2006 and Big Brother 7 Final.

The Entertainment/Flags ident was used for S4C Clasuron Fideo in 1993 - 1997.

The dragon idents were withdrawn in the end of 2006.

Between 1st January 2007 and 16th January, temporary idents were used which gave a nod towards what was to come for the new presentation on the station. It was called 'A new direction'.

The 1995 S4C logo was withdrawn on 17 January 2007.

2007–2014

S4C's fourth logo, used from 2007 to 2014

In January 2007, S4C announced that their digital channels would be refreshed with a new corporate logo and brand. The new branding was implemented online on 17 January, with S4C's television channels adopting it the next day. The new branding, developed by the London-based firm Proud Creative, was intended to portray S4C as a more "contemporary", multi-platform broadcaster, and downplayed "traditional" Welsh imagery such as dragons. Its idents were filmed around various parts of the country, and themed around magnetism—representing the "uncontrollable attraction" of Welsh people and their "emotional affinity to the homeland, whether near or far."[19][20] The magnetism-themed idents were later replaced by a new set developed in collaboration with the agency Minivegas, consisting of live-action scenes with dynamic, animated elements that can react to the voice of the continuity announcer.[21]

2014–present

A new S4C logo and brand developed by Sugar Creative Studio was introduced in early 2014; the new design was developed around a concept of providing "context" to S4C's target audience and programming. The design revolves heavily around a trapezoidal shape used within the channel's new logo, which is prominently used within aspects of the channel's overall marketing and branding.[22]

According to S4C's annual report, 8.4 million people viewed the channel throughout the UK during 2014-2015, with 605,000 viewers throughout the UK in an average week.[23]

Criticisms

S4C has faced criticism for poor viewing figures since its launch.[24] Leaked internal reports in March 2010 showed that "over the 20-day period from February 15 to last Saturday, March 6, as many as 196 of the 890 programmes put out by S4C were rated as having zero viewers". The story was widely reported across the UK and referenced in parliament by the then Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.[25][26] In response, an S4C spokesperson stated that 90% of the programmes were aimed at pre-school children, and that BARB (the organisation that compiles television ratings in the UK) only takes into account viewers aged four years and over. The remaining 10% consisted of repeats and daytime news bulletins which did not attract the 1000 viewers necessary to register on a UK-wide analysis.[27]

On 28 July 2010, S4C's chief executive Iona Jones left her post without explanation. Assembly members and Members of Parliament requested an independent investigation into the circumstances leading up to her departure. The S4C Authority refused to comment further and commissioned a review into how the broadcaster was governed in August 2010.[28] On 3 February 2011, it was announced that issues between Iona Jones and S4C had been settled.[29] On 11 February 2011, the Shortridge Report on corporate governance was made public.[30]

Funding and regulation

S4C is financed from its advertising revenue and a fixed annual grant from the UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), receiving £90m of funding in 2011.[31] Additionally, some Welsh-language programming (including Newyddion and Pobol y Cwm) is produced by BBC Wales as part of the BBC's public service remit, and provided to S4C free of charge.

S4C is controlled by the S4C Authority (Awdurdod S4C), an independent body unconnected to Ofcom, the regulator of other UK television channels such as ITV and Channel 4.

From 2013, responsibility for funding S4C will begin to transfer to the BBC, with the DCMS reducing its funding by 94% by 2015.[32] The BBC will provide around £76m of funding to S4C by this date, resulting in a cut of around 25% to S4C's annual budget.[33] This decision has been challenged by Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Society), which wants the proposed transfer of responsibility for funding S4C from DCMS to the BBC to be stopped.[34]

Clic

Clic is a free online video on demand service provided by S4C.[35] Clic offers a live-streaming, signed programming, a 35-day catch-up service and archive programming. Clic is available across the UK but also contains a limited selection of worldwide programming. Clic's catch-up service is split into seven categories: Drama, Entertainment, Factual and Arts, Music, Sport, and two Children's categories, Cyw (ages 3–6) and Stwnsh (ages 7–13). A Clic app was released for Apple's iOS devices on 18 August 2011.[36]

See also

Related Welsh television services

References

  1. ↑ Brown, Maggie. "S4C confirms appointment of Ian Jones as chief executive". the Guardian. Retrieved 2016-01-13.
  2. ↑ "S4C launches new High Definition channel - Clirlun". S4C. 2010-03-29.
  3. ↑ "Clirlun". S4C. Retrieved 2010-04-12.
  4. ↑ "S4C efficiency measures on course to meet targets". S4C authority. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
  5. 1 2 "Amendment 1 to the Determination Under Article 3 of the Television Multiplex Services (Reservation of Digital Capacity) Order 2008 Dated 17 October 2008" (PDF). Ofcom. 2 October 2012.
  6. ↑ "Welshing on TV". The Economist. 1980-06-28. p. 75.
  7. ↑ Hancock, Dafydd. "A channel for Wales". EMC Seefour. Transdiffusion Broadcasting System.
  8. ↑ "Gwynfor Evans at 90". BBC News Online. 2002-09-01.
  9. ↑ Green, Miranda (1995). "Language and Identity in Modern Wales". The Celtic World. Routledge. p. 800. ISBN 978-0-415-05764-6.
  10. ↑ Catterall, Peter (1999). The Making of Channel 4. Routledge. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-7146-4926-9.
  11. ↑ Pay TV - Ask Comreg
  12. ↑ "S4C Holds a Special Position in the TV Advertising Market". Western Mail. 31 March 2010. Retrieved 7 April 2016 – via HighBeam Research. (subscription required (help)).
  13. ↑ Laughton, Roger (July 2004). "S4C:An Independent Review" (PDF). Department for Culture, Media and Sport: 32. Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  14. ↑ "S4C unveils kids' channel and rebrand". Broadcast Now (subscription required to view article). 2007-01-20. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  15. ↑ "S4C Press Release: S4C Clirlun now available throughout Wales". S4C. 2010-07-19.
  16. ↑ "S4C Press Release: S4C efficiency measures on course to meet targets". S4C. 2012-07-11.
  17. ↑ Sion Morgan (5 December 2014). "S4C comes to BBC iPlayer". walesonline. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  18. ↑ "WALES4CYMRU Welcome 1982". YouTube. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  19. ↑ "Branding revamp for S4C". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  20. ↑ Oatts, Joanne (2007-01-09). "S4C gets a rebrand". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2007-01-11.
  21. ↑ "S4C Interactive Idents". Minivegas. Retrieved 10 April 2014.
  22. ↑ "Introducing a new identity for S4C designed by Sugar Creative Studio". Sugar Creative Studio. Retrieved 17 April 2014.
  23. ↑ http://www.s4c.cymru/abouts4c/annualreport/acrobats/s4c-annual-report-2015.pdf
  24. ↑ "Plaid protester's S4C lament". BBC News. BBC. 1 November 2002. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  25. ↑ Shipton, Martin (2010-03-10). "Figures reveal failure of S4C to attract TV audiences". WalesOnline. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
  26. ↑ "The £100m taxpayer-funded Welsh TV channel where one in four shows get ZERO viewers". Daily Mail.
  27. ↑ Evans, Carys (2010-11-04). "These are the facts about S4C, but why let them spoil a good headline?". WalesOnline.co.uk. Media Wales Ltd.
  28. ↑ Sir Jon Shortridge appointed to undertake S4C corporate governance review, S4C press release, 19 August 2010
  29. ↑ Iona Jones - No Tribunal S4C official press release, 3 February 2011
  30. ↑ Review of the Corporate Governance of S4C on official website, 11 February 2011. (The English version begins at page 54.)
  31. ↑ "S4C Annual Report 2011" (PDF). www.s4c.co.uk. S4C. p. 117.
  32. ↑ "S4C brings £90m to Welsh economy, finds new research". BBC News. 2010-11-05.
  33. ↑ "S4C seeks judicial review over BBC funding move". BBC News. 2010-10-20.
  34. ↑ "S4C vigil: campaigners ask management to wake up". cymdeithas.org. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  35. ↑ "Questions about Clic". S4C. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  36. ↑ "S4C Clic app now available for the iPad". S4C. 18 August 2011.

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