22 April 2013

Launching news service Newyddion 9 on S4C (Monday, 22nd April 2013) will be an historic development for the channel.

According to S4C's Director of Content, Dafydd Rhys, the program will fundamentally change the shape of the channel’s evening service - and will offer a fresh perspective as the only major Welsh news programme to be shown late at night.

Newyddion 9 will include news from Wales and the main news stories from Britain and the world. Produced by BBC Cymru Wales, the programme will be a round-up service to the shorter bulletins broadcasted throughout the day.

In moving the news service to 9.00 in the evening, as well as being able to condense the day’s news and sport, the programme will look at the further significance of the stories through the eyes of people in communities across the nation.

Two of Wales’ most experienced journalists, Rhun ap Iorwerth and Bethan Rhys Roberts, will share the presenting duties of the new programme, with correspondents from every part of Wales contributing reports from their respective areas.

S4C’s Head of Content, Dafydd Rhys, said:

“Our news service is ond of S4C's cornerstones, and moving its slot in the nightly schedule is a historic step which will fundamentally change the shape of our service. We’re confident that this step will strengthen the Newyddion service for the audience as it'll be able to offer a full view on important issues arising on any single day.

“What’s important to our audience is the matters which affect them and their communities – wherever they live in Wales. The programme has a team of correspondents whom not only have awareness, but also the specialisation of life in Wales – and that will be reflected in the reports on Newyddion 9.”

BBC Cymru’s Head of Programming and Welsh Services, Siân Gwynedd, said:

“Broadcasting the flagship news programme at 9 o’clock is a great opportunity to bring the latest and most relevant stories to S4C’s viewers. With two of BBC Cymru’s most experienced and authoritative journalists at the helm and comprehensive reports by correspondents from all over Wales, Newyddion 9 will address the big stories and reflect what matters to communities throughout Wales.”

Bethan Rhys Robets said:

"It's the people who make a story – talking to people on the streets and in the studio is what's important, looking at the way the news affects us all. Throughout my career it's the conversations that have stayed with me, whether it's speaking to a Prime Minister, a mother worries about the health of her child, or a soldier going to war."

"What's important is to make sure that we as a team have all the information on a story and then present it to the viewers in a clear, authoritative and interesting way."

Rhun ap Iorwerth said:

“The bulletin’s later time means we can look with a wider scope at the day’s big stories. S4C’s Newyddion 9 will be unique across all of the main news channels. To anyone, whether they speak Welsh or not, who want a unique look at a day in Wales and beyond – S4C is the place to be.”

Newyddion 9 will also break new ground as the first news programme to be available on S4C’s Clic website.

END

Notes

Times of the other bulletins:

13.00, 14.55, 18.30, 21.00

Reporters across Wales:

North

Llyr Edwards – Meirionnydd

Sion Tecwyn – Dwyfor / Bangor/ Caernarfon/ Anglesey

North East

Elen Wyn

Nia Cerys

South

Owain Evans – Swansea

Gwenfair Griffith – Cardiff

Mid Wales and the West

Craig Duggan – Cardigan

Aled Scourfield – Pembrokeshire

Catrin Heledd – Carmarthen