Listed here are the latest press releases issued by the S4C Press Department:
October 24, 2006

NEW S4C COMMISSIONING STRUCTURE

S4C today announced a new commissioning structure to reflect changing audience needs, multi-platform demands and the nature of its relationship with the independent production sector and the BBC. The changes have been approved by the S4C Authority.

The current structure of Commissioning Editors will be replaced by the appointment of a Head of Content, Head of Children's Services and five Content Editors for Fiction, Sport, Culture, Entertainment, Factual & Co-Productions. The Head of Content will co-ordinate content delivery across S4C services in line with the Programme Strategy and its creative excellence agenda.

The appointment of Head of Children's Services will provide strategic leadership for all S4C’s activities in relation to children and address the challenges of content provision for this key audience group. The strategic aim is to expand the provision.

Advertisements for the new posts will be published next week. It is anticipated that the appointments process will be completed in the first week of December this year. All post holders will report to the Director of Commissioning.

In addition, and in line with S4C's policy of facilitating sustainable growth in the independent production sector, the internal production of Planed Plant will cease. An open and competitive tender process will be put in place to secure a new, independent service provider. The tender will be published in January 2007.

S4C will be consulting with broadcasting union BECTU following today’s announcement.

October 17, 2006

BBC AND S4C ANNOUNCE NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP

The BBC Governors and the S4C Authority today announced a new strategic partnership for the development of programming and services for Welsh language television audiences. The governing bodies described the settlement as a “significant milestone” in the relationship between the two public service broadcasters.

The agreement sets out how the corporation will strengthen and extend its support for S4C over the next three years as the Welsh language channel implements its programme strategy in the run-up to digital switchover in Wales in 2009.

The BBC has a statutory duty to provide S4C with over 10 hours of Welsh programming each week - made by BBC Wales and funded by the licence fee. The BBC's current contribution includes the international news service, Newyddion, and the daily drama, Pobol y Cwm.

As part of the new strategic partnership, the BBC will:

The new agreement reflects the provisions of this year's Government White Paper on the future of the BBC. The agreement also addresses the challenges set out in the Laughton Report to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in 2004 and last year's Ofcom review of public service television broadcasting. The Partnership will also require the BBC Governors and S4C Authority to develop performance targets and indicators to measure success for audiences.

The Chairman of the BBC, Michael Grade, said: “BBC Wales's programmes have played a major role in the success of S4C for many years. We are delighted that this new partnership will strengthen and extend the BBC's contribution. I'm certain Welsh language audiences will reap the benefits.”

The Chairman of S4C, John Walter Jones, said: “The new partnership provides a welcome new chapter in the relationship between S4C and the BBC. We are grateful to the BBC for the extensive support enshrined in this settlement.”

The Controller of BBC Wales, Menna Richards, said: “Digital developments pose enormous challenges and opportunities for all Welsh language media. By working closely together, in the spirit of this new agreement, the BBC and S4C stand the very best chance of strengthening and extending Welsh language services for audiences of all ages.”

The Chief Executive of S4C, Iona Jones, said: “This is excellent news for Welsh language audiences who will benefit from the expansion of the BBC's contribution to S4C on television and online.”

October 2, 2006

S4C WEATHER SERVICE SPONSORSHIP HIGHLIGHTS FLOODLINE

S4C’s state-of-the art weather service is to be sponsored by Environment Agency Wales’ Flood Warning Service for the next 12 months.

The sponsorship is part of a major information campaign to alert the estimated half a million people across Wales living and working in flood plains to the various risks posed by flooding.

Starting in October, the sponsorship stings, which will include the Agency’s free 24-hour Floodline 0845 988 1188, will wrap around every weather bulletin broadcast on S4C and S4C digidol.

As well as highlighting the all-important number, the stings feature different animation sequences showing the possible effects of flooding on people’s lives and properties.

The computer-generated animations, designed by Moonoo and No Brake, have been produced by multi-media company Greenfield Media, which along with Sponsorship Executive, Val Hamer brokered the deal with The Environment Agency Wales.

Chris Mills, Director of Environment Agency Wales says: “Floods threaten lives and property and can be devastating - especially if you’re not prepared. In Wales there are nearly 400,000 people at risk of flooding. Many of them may not even know they are in danger.” The sponsorship is a double delight for S4C weather presenter Aled Hughes, who also works for Environmental Agency Wales, as a Flood Awareness Campaign Officer.

Aled Hughes, 38, originally of Bethesda, north Wales but now living in Cardiff says: “By sponsoring the S4C weather we want to encourage people to find out if they are at risk and what they can do to protect themselves. We can also help by giving flood warnings and advice on how people can prepare themselves for flooding.”

“If you would like to find out more about flooding or to find out if you are at risk of flooding please call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.”

Producer Bethan Mair Tame of Greenfield Media adds, “The production challenge was to ensure that the Environment Agencies key message about the effects of flooding and the advantages of registering with Floodline came across in a short sponsorship sting. We believe that we have achieved this and hope the calls to Floodline will increase substantially.”

The Environment Agency also has a comprehensive website which will also be highlighted in S4C’s sponsorship stings.

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