As S4C celebrates 25 years of broadcasting, a special 2–part series from BBC Cymru Wales marks the occasion, looking at the story of the development of television in Wales and in Welsh.
In the first programme, presenter Dewi Llwyd will examine the medium of television in the years before establishing S4C in 1982. It was such an unfamiliar part of people's lives when it was new that an open competition was held to find a Welsh name for it! And so it began, growing to a point where it is as much a part of our political and social lives as our personal viewing.
In 1953, the same year as Stalin died and Elizabeth II ascended to the throne, the first Welsh–language programme was broadcast. There was widespread concern about the influence of the London–based medium on Welsh communities. Early Welsh–language programming went out after English programmes on the BBC, and every programme was live.
“Once you had done a lot of live TV, you weren't afraid of anything,” commented world–famous actress Siân Phillips. “It was insane!”
But television soon became a democratic medium, with chances for ordinary people to be seen on screen. And as it won its place as a powerful and influential tool, so began the serious discussions about establishing a Welsh–language channel.
The second programme of Teledu'r Cymry discusses the quarter century that has passed since S4C went on air, from the early days of in–vision presenting to award–winning drama and children's programmes, comprehensive news coverage and major sports events, not to mention the now–daily dose of life in Cwmderi in Pobol y Cwm.
In addition, the programme will take a look behind the screen, including interviews with S4C's Chief Executive Iona Jones and Menna Richards, Director of BBC Cymru Wales, about the advances made – and to be made – in the channel's history. Like all today's media, television changes very quickly, so how do we start to think outside the box in the corner and move into the future?
For more information about the history of broadcasting in Wales, including video and audio clips, go to www.bbc.co.uk/cymruaryrawyr
© 2010 S4C
O Gymru / Made in Wales