Listed here are the latest press releases issued by the S4C Press Department:
July 18, 2006

CAN THE JONESES OF WALES BEAT SWEDEN'S NORBERGS?

In the north Wales town of Blaenau Ffestiniog, S4C will tomorrow announce its plans to stage the biggest get-together of Joneses in the world, breaking the Guinness World Record for the largest same surname gathering.

S4C hopes to fill the 1,600-seat Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff with an audience of Joneses at a variety show starring a host of famous Joneses, in order to break the record, currently held by Sweden for a gathering of 583 Norbergs.

The Channel is hoping that some of the inhabitants of Blaenau, home to the highest proportion of Joneses in the UK, will travel to the Millennium Centre to take part in the record-breaking event - Jones Jones Jones - on 3 November.

During the show, the audience will be entertained by music, dance and comedy performances, special guest appearances and competitions. The event will also be attended by Guinness World Record officials who will validate the record-breaking attempt.

Produced for S4C by Caernarfon-based TV company Cwmni Da, the Jones Jones Jones show will be broadcast on S4C a few weeks after the event itself.

S4C's Commissioning Editor Entertainment, Meirion Davies, is confident the record will be broken by Wales’ extensive Jones clan. He says, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be involved in a record-breaking attempt.”

Neville Hughes of Cwmni Da, one of the event's producers, says, “The Jones clan has proved its talent in various fields of singers, actors, presenters, sportsmen and women. Think about it! We're determined to bring as many of them together, from Wales and beyond, to be a part of this historical event and create a memorable show the whole of Wales will be proud of.”

Tickets for the Jones Jones Jones extravaganza are on sale now with priority given to Joneses from the Wales Millennium Centre Ticket Office on 08700 40 2000. Tickets are priced £15, concessions £10 and £5. Jones audience members will need to bring a passport or driver’s licence as proof of identity on the night. Maiden names or hyphenated names do not count.

July 13, 2006

S4C APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS

S4C, the Welsh language public service broadcaster, today announced the appointment of Huw Rossiter to the new post of Director of Communications, reporting to Chief Executive Iona Jones.

Currently the Head of Broadcasting Communications at Ofcom, he will be responsible for communications strategy as S4C prepares for full digital switchover in Wales from 2009.

He will be a member of S4C’s Management Team, overseeing marketing, press, internal communications and web publications. He takes up his post in the autumn.

Huw Rossiter, 51, joined Ofcom as Head of Media in September 2003 in preparation for its launch as the UK’s new converged communications regulator.

He has since led media relations on such policy issues as Ofcom’s statutory review of public service television broadcasting and the recent consultations on the UK’s television production sector and television food advertising to children.

He was previously Head of Public Affairs at the Independent Television Commission (ITC), contributing to the ITC’s activity on the Communications Act 2003.

Between 1992 and 2001, he was Head of Press and Publicity at BBC Wales in Cardiff, having spent the previous 10 years as a BBC publicity officer in London. He began his career as a journalist on the Swansea-based South Wales Evening Post.

Born in Glynneath, he was educated at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelen and the University of Wales, Swansea.

Iona Jones said: “The effective promotion of the S4C brand will be a key priority for S4C in the multi-channel era. Huw’s wide experience as a communications practitioner will add further expertise to S4C’s management team.”

Huw Rossiter said: “I look forward to contributing to S4C’s ambitious plans for serving the Welsh language audience across a range of digital platforms.”

July 12, 2006

S4C VIEWERS’ EVENING AT BLAENAU FFESTINIOG

A panel of key S4C decision-makers will be at the Queens Hotel, Blaenau Ffestiniog, on Wednesday, 19 July, at 7.00pm to hear what the people of the area have to say about the channel.

The Blaenau Ffestiniog Viewers’ Evening comes at an important time for S4C as it prepares for huge changes in broadcasting. Digital switchover in Wales is only three years away and new technology is revolutionising the way people enjoy their favourite programmes.

S4C Chair, John Walter Jones, will be at the meeting to answer questions, together with S4C Chief Executive Iona Jones and Director of Commissioning, Rhian Gibson.

John Walter Jones is looking forward to hearing viewers’ opinions on S4C’s programmes and services.

He explains, “Listening to public opinion is a very important part of my job as Chair of the S4C Authority and meeting people face-to-face is the best way to gauge opinion and to get the fullest possible picture.

“It’s an exciting time for the broadcasting world. There are huge challenges ahead but I’m confident that Iona Jones’ team at S4C and the producers who provide the Channel’s range of programmes are equal to it.

“S4C has set itself a benchmark of creative excellence and is reaching it with quality programming, from its top sports coverage to its comprehensive children’s service, music, drama and entertainment programmes.”

S4C will be providing specialist equipment for the hard of hearing at the meeting to ensure that no one misses out on the opportunity to be part of the debate. A full translation service will also be available.

Everyone is welcome, no entry ticket is required. For further information, please contact the S4C Viewers’ Hotline on 08700 4141.

July 10, 2006

S4C AND THE DIGITAL FUTURE

While acknowledging the importance of its roots, S4C sets its sights clearly on the digital future in its Annual Report 2005.

Under the leadership of its new Chief Executive, Iona Jones, the S4C Authority reports an increase of 11% in its peak hour viewing figures in 2005, a development that augers well for digital switchover and the move to a wholly Welsh language channel.

During the year, S4C agreed new Terms of Trade with the independent sector which allow for multi-media use of programmes, an important step which takes into account the new technologies and diverse media of the digital age.

New tender processes were also introduced in 2005, in order to encourage transparency and contestability, and among the main tenders of the year, a development fund of £1m was awarded to five television companies.

A pioneering on-line service for learners was launched and expanding the Channel's provision on broadband and other platforms is a priority for the future in order to attract new audiences to Welsh language content.

Strengthening the relationship with the BBC remains a priority, with the Channel close to formalising a new Strategic Partnership that will encourage close and constructive co-operation. Taking advantage of the opportunities of the digital age is S4C's aim, under the leadership of its new Chief Executive, Iona Jones, in order to provide an attractive service that meets the needs of current viewers as well as new audiences, explains John Walter Jones, Chair of the S4C Authority.

In responding to the expectations of the audience and to huge changes within the broadcasting industry in general, creative excellence will be the aim for every member of staff as well as those who provide the Channel with content.

Among S4C's programme highlights during 2005 was the drama series Con Passionate by the award-winning author Siwan Jones, an original look at the Welsh language in the 21st Century through the eyes of poet Ifor ap Glyn in Popeth yn Gymraeg, the innovative documentary film Gêm y Ganrif recreating the epic 1905 Wales v New Zealand rugby match and Marc Evans' powerful film about Welsh poetry, Dal: Yma/Nawr.

Coverage from the Urdd Eisteddfod, Royal Welsh Agricultural Show and the Winter Fair was provided on S4C2 and the web, while children's programmes and music also took priority in the schedule.

S4C International's share in the digital multiplex operator SDN was sold to ITV plc for £34 million and the Channel is considering ways of investing the money to create additional revenue for S4C's public services.

It was decided to change the structure of S4C's commercial arm during the year and a partnership between Barcud Derwen and Parthenon is now responsible for programme sales and co production activities. Greenfield Media is responsible for liasing all aspects of selling S4C's advertising space.

July 5, 2006

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY IN LLANGOLLEN

Visitors to the Llangollen International Eisteddfod today were bemused to see Father Christmas appearing in the middle of a snowstorm, accompanied by a group of young carol singers.

Father Christmas had come along to the Eisteddfod field to launch S4C’s Christmas carol competition, Carol 2006.

As well as a top prize of £1,000, the competition’s winning carol will be performed for the first time at the Thousands of Christmas Voices concert, held in the Llangollen Pavilion, organised by the Daily Post, hosted by Robin Jones and Branwen Gwyn and broadcast on S4C on 14 December.

The conductor on that special evening will be top music maestro Alwyn Humphreys, and surprise, surprise it was he who had donned the Father Christmas costume for the launch. He was accompanied by pupils from a local primary school, Ysgol Gymraeg y Gwernant, Llangollen.

This year’s concert will be the eleventh, with all proceeds going to children’s hospice, Hope House.

“This annual carol competition is going from strength to strength,” says Alwyn. “Once again this year, we’re expecting a bumper number of entries so I’m advising all budding composers to start work on their compositions.”

The closing date for all entries is Friday, 29 September 2006. For an application form and further details, please contact Carol 2006, S4C, Lôn Ddewi, Caernarfon, Gwynedd LL55 1ER.

“Many thanks to the Honey Pots company from Llangollen who kindly provided the snow machine for today’s event. The snow machine will next be in action at the Llangollen Christmas Festival which will be held on Saturday, 2 December, with activities organised all day in the town.”

S4C’s Music Commissioning Editor, Ceri Sherlock, said, “The S4C Carol competition is a unique opportunity for us to contribute to the Christmas music fare and to give a high profile to composers and songsters during the festival season with a world premiere for the winning carol on S4C.”

For further information please contact Hannah Thomas, S4C Press Office on 07810 794853