Editing S4C (section)

==History==
===Pre-launch===
Before the launch of S4C on Monday 1 November 1982, Welsh speakers had been served by occasional programmes in Welsh, broadcast as regional opt-outs on [[BBC Cymru Wales]] (on both of its channels) and [[ITV Wales & West|HTV Cymru Wales]] (the [[ITV (TV network)|Channel 3]] franchise in Wales), as well as its predecessors usually at off-peak or inconvenient times. This was unsatisfactory for Welsh speakers, who saw the arrangement as a sop, and at the same time an annoyance for non-Welsh speakers, who found the English-language programmes seen in the rest of the UK often rescheduled or not transmitted at all.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hw1XAAAAYAAJ&q=%22Welshing+on+TV%22|title=Welshing on TV|date=28 June 1980|newspaper=The Economist|page=75}}</ref>

On 14 September 1962, the ITV network created a licence area for [[North Wales|North]] and [[West Wales]], which was awarded to ''Wales (West and North) Limited''. This traded as [[Wales West and North Television|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 after going bankrupt, the station was taken over by its neighbour [[Television Wales and the West]].

During the 1970s, coinciding with the push for a [[Fourth UK television service|fourth national television channel]] in the UK,<ref name="BFW"/> Welsh-language activists had campaigned for a television 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 United Kingdom general election|1979 general election]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A channel for Wales|first=Dafydd|last=Hancock|work=EMC Seefour|publisher=Transdiffusion Broadcasting System|url=http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/seefour/wales.php|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304205140/http://www.transdiffusion.org/emc/seefour/wales.php|archive-date=4 March 2009}}</ref> Shortly after the Conservatives won a majority in the election, the new [[Home Secretary]], [[William Whitelaw, 1st Viscount Whitelaw|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. 

By the time of the Annan report ([[Noel Annan]], provost of [[University College London]] from 1966 to 1978), it was suggested that the fourth channel should be given to the Open Broadcasting Authority (OBA), which wouldn't start operating until the early 1980s, with Siberry suggesting the channel to be a BBC-HTV joint venture before being handed over to the OBA. Siberry on the other hand recommended a service broadcasting content in Welsh for 25 hours a week, double the planned hours another group had suggested. The transfer of the channel to the OBA when it was operational was deemed "problematic", moving away from the concept of the creation of a Welsh-language channel and a separate Welsh Broadcasting Authority.<ref name="BFW"/> The [[Welsh Language Society]] (Cymdeithas ir Iaith) considered that "the aim of the Report seemed to be find a way of keeping Welsh language broadcasting within the grasp of British infrastructure".<ref>''Teledu Cymru y Bobl Cymru'' pamphlet, Cymdeithas ir Iaith/Welsh Language Society</ref>

The government set up a Welsh Language Television Council, with members from the BBC, the IBA, ITV (limited to HTV Wales) and the OBA, with an OBA member acting as a chairman. This was proven to be a significant step for the campaign, creating an organisation overseeing broadcasting in Wales.<ref name="BFW"/> By 1980, when the initial plans fell, there were plans to move Welsh-language programming to [[BBC Two Wales|BBC2 Cymru Wales]]. The BBC thought the idea was unviable, as its schedule was not designed to receive a consistent series of opt-out slots for regions and nations, and the only programme with a fixed starting slot started at 9pm. This meant that there was no set time to leave the opt-out programming and easily rejoin the BBC2 network. This would also lead to the loss of certain programmes, including sporting events, and a dedicated teatime children's slot would disrupt the sport output the channel had at the time, if available in the timeslot.<ref name="BFW"/>

On 17 September 1980, the former president of [[History of Plaid Cymru|Plaid Cymru]], [[Gwynfor Evans]], threatened to go on hunger strike if the [[Conservative Party (UK)|Conservative]] government of [[Margaret Thatcher]] did not honour its commitment to provide a Welsh-language television service.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gwynfor Evans at 90|publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/2227826.stm|date=1 September 2002}}</ref>

===Early years===
The name S4C was the first thing to be decided at a meeting held in [[Gregynog]] on 31 January and 1 February 1981. No other names were considered for the new service. By year's end, when the IBA was adapting transmitters to enable the carriage of [[Channel 4]] and S4C, no transmitters in northern Wales were converted, meaning that the population in an area with a significantly large Welsh-speaking population was to be deprived of the new service. Some transmitters were not scheduled to be adapted until 1985 at latest.<ref name="BFW"/>

S4C started broadcasting on 1 November 1982, broadcasting around 22 hours a week of programmes, mostly during prime time (7 to 9:30pm)<ref name="dailypost"/> with a teatime slot for children; with English language programmes from [[Channel 4]], rescheduled to fit around the Welsh programmes.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-63414736|title=S4C: Birthplace of SuperTed and Fireman Sam turns 40|work=BBC News |date=1 November 2022}}</ref> The first night of the channel started at 6pm with a pre-recorded<ref name="dailypost">{{cite news |title=S4C celebrates its 30th birthday |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/s4c-celebrates-its-30th-birthday-2649773 |work=[[South Wales Evening Post|Daily Post]] |date=27 October 2012}}</ref> bilingual preview programme fronted by [[Owen Edwards (broadcaster)|Owen Edwards]],<ref name="Owen">{{cite web |last1=Stapley |first1=Nigel |title=A Tribute to Owen Edwards |url=https://transdiffusion.org/2010/09/09/a_tribute_to_ow/ |website=Transdiffusion |date=9 September 2010}}</ref> which also featured the first episode of ''[[SuperTed]]'' and excerpts of Channel 4's launch programme ''Preview'', in anticipation for the latter's launch the following day.<ref>{{cite web |title=Croeso i S4C - From our archive |url=https://transdiffusion.org/2021/08/03/croeso-i-s4c/ |website=Transdiffusion |date=3 August 2021}}</ref> The launch programme was accompanied by Robin Jones, Siân Thomas and Rowena Jones-Thomas.<ref name="BFW"/> ''SuperTed'' opened the floodgates for the development of animation in Wales, with or without S4C's support.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Evans |first1=Noelle |title=Cardiff's Animation History |url=https://www.creativecardiff.org.uk/index.php/cardiffs-animation-history |website=Creative Cardiff |date=20 April 2018}}</ref>

S4C's bilingual nature rejected that the Welsh language had to be directly translated to English, as the English and Welsh viewing demographics differed heavily. Over time, the price per hour of the independent producers increased.<ref name="BFW"/>

Owen Edwards retired from his post at S4C in 1989, having just been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.<ref name="Owen"/>

===Later history===
S4C faced an ''[[annus horribilis]]'' in 2010. Future prospects for the channel were seen with little optimism, owing to the change in the DCMS funding method, with S4C receiving £100 million, attached to the [[Retail Price Index]]. In 2013, it was announced that the DCMS would cut S4C's funding by around 93%. The funding hasn't exceeded the £100 million benchmark since then, with S4C reporting £74.5 million from the license fee in the 2020–21 fiscal year, and £6.851 from the DCMS. In 2022, the DCMS stopped funding S4C, freezing license fee contributions until 2024. This was considered to be an "existential threat" to the Welsh language from Professor Richard Wyn Jones.<ref name="BFW"/>

As with other public broadcasters, S4C is facing the challenge of adapting to an increasingly mobile generation of viewers, coupled with competition from streaming services.<ref name="BFW"/>

===Relocation===
{{multiple image
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| header = {{center|S4C offices}}
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| image1 = Canolfan S4C Yr Egin (cropped).jpg
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| caption1 = S4C headquarters in [[Carmarthen]] on the campus of the [[University of Wales Trinity Saint David]]s
| image2 = BBC Cymru Wales (geograph 6226511) (cropped).jpg
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| caption2 = [[Cardiff]] office within the [[BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House]] in [[Central Square, Cardiff|Central Square]]
| image3 = Doc Fictoria - Caernarfon Marina (geograph 7115219).jpg
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| caption3 = [[Caernarfon]] office (top right) in Doc Fictoria (Victoria Dock)
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In September 2013, S4C began a study into the possible relocation of its headquarters.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-south-east-wales-24176514|title=S4C considers moving HQ from Cardiff to Carmarthen or Gwynedd|work=BBC News |date=20 September 2013|access-date=4 November 2022}}</ref> S4C's former headquarters, which opened in 1991, were located at Parc Ty Glas Industrial Estate, [[Llanishen]], following a move from Cathedral Road and Sophia Close in [[Pontcanna]], Cardiff. In January 2013, a new multi-use media centre was opened on its Llanishen site. In March 2014, it was announced that Carmarthen was the winner with a bid led by the [[University of Wales Trinity Saint David]] (UWTSD). The university owns the land where the Canolfan S4C Yr Egin (S4C Yr Egin Centre) would be built. The building would also be home to other companies in the creative industries.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/27985/s4c-authority-agree-to-bid-to-move-channel-headquarters-to-carmarthen/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=www.s4c.cymru}}</ref> There was a strong bid for relocation to Caernarfon, where the channel had a pre-existing office, but there was disappointment when that the bid was unsuccessful.<ref>{{cite news |date=25 November 2016 |title=S4C headquarters 'should be in Caernarfon not Carmarthen' |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-38103112 |access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Carmarthen HQ plan for broadcaster |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-wales-26584890 |access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref> In 2016, it was revealed that S4C was paying £3 million upfront rent to UWTSD, and that it would pay rent over the next 20 years. Concern was expressed about the arrangement and the lack of transparency around commercial payments between two publicly funded bodies. UWTSD applied for funding for the building work and received £3m from the Welsh Government and a further £3m from the Swansea Bay city deal.<ref>{{cite web |last=Barry |first=Sion |date=1 March 2017 |title=Welsh Government confirms £3m funding for Yr Egin creative industries hub |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/business/welsh-government-confirms-3m-funding-12674187 |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=WalesOnline}}</ref>

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| image1 = CCTV cameras on a pole, Cathedral Road, Cardiff - geograph.org.uk - 4088227.jpg
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| caption1 = Former S4C headquarters in 32 Cathedral Road, [[Pontcanna]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Former HQ of Welsh language channel S4C being turned into apartments |language=en-GB |publisher=BusinessLive (Reach) |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/commercial-property/former-hq-welsh-language-channel-19028252 |access-date=31 July 2024|date=1 October 2020}}</ref> 
| image2 = Headquarters of S4C.jpg
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| caption2 = Former S4C headquarters in Parc Ty Glas Industrial Estate, [[Llanishen]] 
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In June 2018, it was revealed that more staff would be leaving the channel than moving to work in Carmarthen. S4C started relocating to the new building from September 2018, and 54 jobs moved to the new HQ. An office in Cardiff was retained for technical purposes until full changeover to the [[BBC Cymru Wales New Broadcasting House|new BBC Wales Headquarters]], with 70 staff there. A significant percentage of the technical posts were to transfer to the BBC.<ref>{{cite news |date=6 June 2018 |title=More S4C staff leave than fully commit to move to new HQ |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-44376069 |access-date=5 February 2021}}</ref> In September 2018, S4C committed to ten years of lease on its Caernarfon office at Doc Fictoria (Victoria Dock), which has 12 full-time staff,<ref>{{cite web |title=Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/29035/s4c-commit-to-caernarfon/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=www.s4c.cymru}}</ref> and was opened in 2008. In January 2021 S4C's Presentation, Library, Promotion and Commercial departments moved to BBC Wales headquarters in Central Square, Cardiff. The first programmes were broadcast from there on 27 January 2021, beginning with the channel's children's service, Cyw, at 6:00&nbsp;a.m. Liz Scourfield's first live presentation aired later that morning, before the news bulletin at 12:00.<ref>{{cite web |title=Press {{!}} S4C |url=https://www.s4c.cymru/en/press/post/41474/s4c-broadcasts-from-central-square/ |access-date=5 February 2021 |website=www.s4c.cymru}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|number=1354555504375324673|user=lookoutwales2|author=Gareth Joy|title=Liz Scourfield yn cyhoeddi o gartref newydd Cyflwyniad S4C yn y BBC yn Sgwâr Canolog. Liz Scourfield announcing fo…<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. -->|date=27 January 2021}}</ref>