Tenders
2008 archive
Subtitling review service and preparation of subtitle files for transmission on S4C
The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Monday 20 October 2008
Subtitling review service and preparing subtitles for transmission on S4C (PDF)Agreement: Subtitling review service and preparing subtitles (PDF) (Welsh language document)
English language subtitles for the 'Cyw' programmes and links
The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Monday 20 October 2008.
English language subtitles for the 'Cyw' programmes and links (PDF)Agreement to supply English language subtitles for the 'Cyw' programmes and links (PDF) (Welsh language document)
'In vision signing service on S4C Digital'
The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Tuesday 14 October 2008.
Invitation to tender (PDF)Agreement to produce and provide an In-Vision Signing Service on S4C digidol (PDF)
Questions and Answers
- Are any scripts available beforehand?
- Subtitles files will be available when copies of the master tapes are ready. The files can be sent via email as text files or in .stl / .ebu format.
- How and when do we find out which programmes have been chosen? Will a schedule be published?
- A signing schedule will be made available quarterly, and will be updated monthly.
- Will the material and schedule be available at the same time?
- The schedule will be available around three months in advance and the material will be available at least 10 days before transmission.
- How are any changes to the schedule passed on?
- Any changes will be passed on via email.
- Is the TX-2 provision based on a seven-day or five-day week?
- The schedule mentioned in the tender document is based on a seven-day week (e.g. if transmission is on a Saturday, the material should reach S4C on the Thursday).
- Is there a quality assessment procedure in S4C?
- Every tape which arrives at S4C for transmission will go through a technical check, but every tape is expected to conform to S4C's Technical Requirements 2008 (see Technical Requirements). We will carry out spot checks on the standard of the signing throughout the contractual period.
- Will materials reach us by series or by programme?
- Most of the material will be sent by programme (all programmes to be transmitted in around 11 days) but it is possible that some will be sent by programme.
- Is every programme that is signed, subtitled as well?
- Yes.
- Will English subtitles be available for signing?
- Yes.
- How much time is there between the first transmission and the second transmission?
- Usually a few days, but this can vary.
- Will there be a need to adapt files as well as creating new files?
- Generally, files will not need to be adapted. It's possible that the time codes on some files will need to be adapted as some programmes are broadcast with and without a commercial break.
Audio Description service for S4C
The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Tuesday 14 October 2008.
Invitation to tender (PDF)Tender agreement
Questions and Answers
- How and when do we find out which programmes have been chosen? Will a schedule be published?
- A signing schedule will be made available quarterly, and will be updated monthly, around two months in advance.
- Will the material and schedule be available at the same time?
- The schedule will be available around three months in advance and the material will be available around 10 days before transmission.
- How are any changes to the schedule passed on?
- Any changes will be passed on via email.
- Is the TX-2 provision based on a seven-day or five-day week?
- The schedule mentioned in the tender document is based on a seven -day week.
- Is there a quality assessment procedure in S4C?
- Every tape which arrives at S4C for transmission will go through a technical check, but every tape is expected to conform to S4C's Technical Requirements 2008 (see Technical Requirements).
- Will materials reach us by series or by programme?
- The materials will be available as they reach S4C, usually several programmes in a series arrive at the same time.
Cân i Gymru (Song for Wales) 2009-2010
The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Tuesday 30 September 2008.
Draft contract for Cân i Gymru 2009-2010 (PDF) This document is only available in Welsh. Please contact the Business Affairs Directorate for assistance if required.
English-language commentary on Sports Programmes
S4C is inviting tenders to provide English-language sports commentary.
Question 1
What facilities are available at S4C if the service were to be situated there?
Answer 1
Basic voiceover facilities are available, Any other requirements would need to be discussed. If you intend situating the live commentary unit at S4C please note any assumptions in your submission.
Question 2
When exactly? Which game/programme will be the first for the new service?
Answer 2
We would like to start as soon as possible but will depend on what is practical. Please note any assumptions regarding the start date in your submission.
Welsh Learners' service for S4C
S4C is inviting tenders for a comprehensive Welsh learners' service which will appeal to learners of all ages, ability and interests.
European Rugby Cup 2008/9 and 2009/10
S4C have secured exclusive free-to-air coverage in the Welsh language of extended highlights of the European Rugby Cup (currently known as the Heineken Cup) for the next two seasons. Producers are invited to tender for the contract to produce a package of highlights programmes which will respond to S4C's aspirations and expectations.
A draft commissioning agreement will be published by the 16th July.
IRB U20 World Championship
17-Apr-2008
S4C, in partnership with the BBC, are in discussions to secure the rights to broadcast coverage of the IRB U20 World Rugby Championship which will be held in Wales during June 2008.
Tender to produce S4C's Coverage of the Welsh Rugby Team's Summer Tour to South Africa
02-Apr-2008
Tender for the production of presentation links for S4C's extended provision for nursery children
12-Mar-2008
Question 1
Can you confirm that new characters (the animals) that have been created for Planed Plant Bach can be used, namely Llew, Cyw, Bolgi, Plwmp, Jangl and Deryn. Does S4C hold the full rights?
Answer 1
The tender document states ‘it will be possible to build on the S4C owned Planet Plant Bach branding, imagery and characters'. The copyright in the characters listed above is owned by S4C.
Question 2
Have you a guidance minimum and maximum duration per hour? Also min-max for the half-hour slot.
Answer 2
The tender document states, ‘Around 5 minutes on average of presentation links will be needed per hour (although this could vary), and they will be pre-recorded.' Naturally, there will be less time to fill within and around the half-hour slot. The document also gives examples of the type of programmes that can be transmitted (and their duration).
Question 3
According to TAC's website the only reference to WGGB rates for Pre School Scripts is "Dialogue £21 per minute, outline and format prepared by the Producer or third party." Following this formula, a 100 minutes of scripts per week would cost over £100,000 per year. Is this the correct rate? What are S4C's guidelines for the Nursery Links.?
Answer 3
The tender document states that S4C is ‘looking for ideas that will provide innovative, original and varied ways of presenting the extended provision". Individual companies are at liberty to put forward their suggestions of how best to achieve this. It is up to the company to decide whether such a script as defined in the WGGB contract is necessary. The tender document request that companies include the cost of clearing links for broadcasting without limitation on S4C's services (including webcasting/broadband) but if a restriction is foreseen it should be noted clearly in the application.
Nursery Links - Invitation to Tender
03-Mar-2008
Draft Contract S4C's extended provision for nursery children
06-Mar-2008
Draft Contract S4C's extended provision for nursery children
S4C's Coverage of Welsh Football
S4C has secured broadcasting rights in Welsh international and domestic football until 2012, starting with the 2008/09 season. We have secured the right to broadcast exclusive highlights of Wales' home games, including the qualifying rounds for the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships. The agreement also includes live matches and highlights packages for the Welsh Premier League and the Welsh Cup as well as other platform coverage of these competitions.
In accordance with the Programme Strategy producers are invited to tender for the contract to produce a package of live and highlights programmes, as well as other platform elements, which will respond to S4C's aspirations and expectations.
Supporting Documents
- S4C Webstite Production guidelines - This is the latest draft of the guidelines, which will be applicable to this tender. The guidelines are still being developed and any updates will be published on the tender website. If you have any comments or questions please send them to tendr@s4c.co.uk
- For the Draft Commissioning Agreement, please click here
Questions and Answers
Question 1
What is the cost of receiving the live international match footage from Sky?
Answer 1
Unless the company specifically requests extra facilities (such as an extra commentary position) we do not expect there to be any added cost from Sky Sports.
Question 2
Point 2.4 of the tender says: "S4C has agreed to work with the Football Association of Wales to produce other platforms for Welsh football". Agreed to what and on which platforms?
Answer 2
S4C has discussed the possibility of creating a multi platform facility which will develop interest in Welsh football. We welcome ideas.
Question 3
Do we have to submit two budgets - one for the television coverage and one for the other platform elements or could the two be combined if both are integrally linked?
Answer 3
We are happy to accept one budget as long every detail is itemised separately so that all the individual elements can be recognised.
Closing date: 12:00 mid-day on Thursday 14th February 2008.
S4C Airtime sales and sponsorship tender
S4C International is to publish an open tender for a contract to generate advertising and sponsorship revenues from the commercial opportunities available within the S4C television and broadband services.
Full details of the three-year contract will be available on the S4C International website - www.s4c.co.uk/s4ci - from today (18 January) onwards. The closing date for expressions of interest is 6 February.
S4C International is the commercial arm of Welsh language public service broadcaster S4C.