Several means of communications are used to provide the many services offered by S4C - each one with the aim of enriching the lives of viewers in Wales.
S4C on Analogue:
Historically, this is S4C's original service. It currently provides 34 hours per week in Welsh. Channel 4's English language output completes the schedule.
S4C Digital:
At least 12 hours of Welsh language television is broadcast on S4C Digital per day. This includes the simultaneous broadcasting of the entire Welsh output on analogue. The schedule also offers extended coverage of sports, current affairs, nation festivals, the Arts and youth and children's interests. Alternative viewing opportunities are also available for some of S4C's most popular programmes, as well as gems from the archives. P'nawn Da, Croma and Bandit are amongst the established favourites available only on S4C Digital.
S4C 2:
The work of the National Assembly for Wales is fully reflected on this digital channel. All proceedings are broadcast live from the Main Chamber and the work of the various committees is also vigorously covered.
Between 9:00 am and 12:00 pm each day, Wales' Digital College is broadcast on S4C Digital.
S4C's website (www.s4c.co.uk) is a-wash with facts and fun. The latest programme information can be found there, not to mention the complete schedule, competitions, snippets on some of the channel's personalities and news from the media industry in Wales.
S4C's Viewers' Hotline - You have a question to ask? A comment to make? Contacting S4C could not be easier, since the channel's success is based on a partnership between audience and broadcaster.
The friendly Hotline operators are available at the other end of the line each day of the year (between 9.00am and 10.00pm) to deal with queries and register viewers' responses.
The Hotline can also be e-mailed, faxed or contacted by post. All correspondence will be replied to within five days.
As well as establishing its own video label, S4C Video, S4C also contributed to the home entertainment revolution by licensing other companies (e.g. Sain and Warner Vision) to release certain programmes on video. Many of the channel's most popular and best known productions, such as Cefn Gwlad, Pam Fi Duw? and the Oscar-nominated films, Hedd Wyn and Solomon & Gaenor have been released on video.
S4C's animation successes have always proved to be a huge hit with the video buying public all over the world, ensuring an enviable international reputation for the likes of SuperTed, Fireman Sam and Sali Mali.
Hughes a'i Fab, the publishing house affiliated to S4C, is responsible for a lively flow of new titles each year. Most are in Welsh, but some are also published in response to the overwhelming enthusiasm of non-Welsh speaking viewers. For example, one of S4C's most enduring characters, culinary doyen, Ena Thomas, has inspired four best-sellers, three in Welsh and one in English.
Under license to S4C, various record labels have released albums, cassettes and CDs of artistes such as Shân Cothi - often taken from recordings made especially for their TV series.
As the revolution in information technology continues, viewers will find that by interacting with their TV sets they are no longer passive recipients of programmes, but component parts of a service that is specifically geared to their needs.
© 2008 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales