25 February 2016
St David's celebrations this year will see S4C urging people to watch the channel's programmes for the first time with the help of on-screen subtitles. S4C has programmes which can appeal to everyone but not everybody is aware that English subtitles are available for most programmes.
The channel wants to spread the word and has recruited the help of an animated character called 'Bob'. Bob doesn't always follow what's happening on S4C but by turning on the subtitles using his TV remote, Bob can enjoy S4C and Bob is happy. If you know someone like Bob, why not encourage them to do the same?
Bob's story will be shown on screen and shared on social media to raise awareness of the subtitles service and that S4C is a channel for everyone. As part of this, between 29 February and 4 March, many S4C programmes will show English subtitles already on the TV screen.
This includes the new series Pobol y Rhondda (People of the Rhondda) which takes us on a journey to meet communities in the valley. For the first episode, the subtitles will be ready for you automatically on the screen, and for the rest of the series, all you have to do is turn on the subtitles using your TV remote.
Other programmes include Iolo Williams' new wildlife series Natur Gwyllt Iolo, rugby chat show Jonathan and drama series; Gwaith/Cartref, Pobol y Cwm and Rownd a Rownd.
S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones explains that the aim is to raise awareness of the subtitles service which is already available for all and means everyone can enjoy the channel's content.
Ian Jones says; "St David's Day unites us as a nation, and this year we're reaching out to people who feel that perhaps S4C isn't for them. We often receive feedback from people who want to watch, but don't think that they can because they don't think their Welsh is good enough or that they don't speak any Welsh at all – and they're not aware that subtitles are available to help them.
"The content of S4C's varied programmes means that we can be at the heart of people's lives. We want everyone to feel included and, by raising awareness of the subtitles service, we're reaching out to less fluent and non-Welsh speakers. We are also reaching mixed language homes where one or several members do not understand Welsh. Our subtitles mean that everyone can watch S4C together, letting the Welsh language in to the heart of the home.
"And so, we want to show how easy it is for everyone to watch S4C every day. Why not encourage someone you know to watch S4C for the first time over the St David's Day period?"
Subtitles are available on a majority of S4C programmes every day by turning on the settings on your TV remote or mobile device. How to turn on subtitles varies for TV sets, Apps and online, but if you need help the S4C Viewers' Hotline is on hand from 9.00am to 10.00pm every day. Call them on 0370 600 4141 (Calls cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number) email hotline@s4c.cymru or Twitter @S4C and Facebook.com/s4c.cymru
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Notes to editors:
English subtitles are available on most S4C programmes on TV and on mobile devices. During 2014/15 English subtitles were available for 78% or S4C programmes.
To watch with subtitles you need to turn them on using your TV remote or the setting on your mobile device. S4C show some programme with on-screen English subtitles; repeats such as drama and documentaries.
For help finding out which programmes have subtitles and how to use them, go to the s4c.cymru website. Or contact the S4C Viewers' Hotline, open every day from 9.00am to 10.00pm. Call them on 0370 600 4141 (Calls cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number) email hotline@s4c.cymru or Twitter @S4C and Facebook.com/s4c.cymru
Between 29 February and 4 March the following programmes will show English subtitles on screen.
Monday 29 February
16:00 Awr Fawr
20:00 Pobol y Cwm
20:25 Ceffylau Cymru
21:30 Ffermio
Tuesday 01 March
16:00 Awr Fawr
19:30 Rownd a Rownd
20:00 Pobol y Cwm
20:25 Ward Plant
Wednesday 02 March
16:00 Awr Fawr
19:30 Natur Gwyllt Iolo
20:00 Pobol y Cwm
20:25 Gwaith/Cartref
Thursday 03 March
16:00 Awr Fawr
19:30 Rownd a Rownd
20:00 Pobol y Cwm
20:25 Celwydd Noeth
21:30 Pobol y Rhondda
22:00 Hacio
22:30 Ochr 1: Gwobrau’r Selar
Friday 04 March
16:00 Awr Fawr
20:00 Pobol y Cwm
20:25 Sam ar y Sgrin
21:30 Jonathan
