S4C's Production Site

Invitation to tender: 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

Invitation to tender: English language subtitles for the 'Cyw' programmes and links

The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Monday 20 October 2008.

Invitation to tender: 'In vision signing service on S4C Digital'

The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Tuesday 14 October 2008.

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.

Invitation to tender: Audio Description service for S4C

The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Tuesday 14 October 2008.

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

Applications are invited from Companies to stage and produce the annual 'Cân i Gymru' (A Song for Wales) competition as a multi-platform event for S4C.

The closing date for applications will be 12:00 midday on Tuesday 30 September 2008.

Invitation to tender (PDF)

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.

Invitation to Tender for English-language commentary

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.

Download information about the tender here (pdf document)

Agreement for the Production and Delivery of English Language Commentary and the Provision of Services (pdf document)

Invitation to Tender - 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.

Download information about the tender here

Invitation to Tender - 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.

Download information about the tender here

Draft agreement - European Rugby Cup 2008/9 and 2009/10

Invitation to tender - 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.

The competition begins on the 6th June 2008 and live matches will be broadcasted from Cardiff Arms Park, Rodney Parade Newport and Liberty Stadium Swansea. The intention is to broadcast 11 live matches as well as highlights programmes. Please note the tight timetable for this tender.

For further information click here

For the avoidance of doubt, it is necessary for the host broadcaster to deliver from each live match venue:

When S4C are live:

• Live coverage with Welsh language graphics and commentary. To S4C.
• Live coverage with English language graphics and commentary for both World feed and BBC Wales. To BT Tower and BBC Wales.
• There has been no discussion regarding the possibility of using the standby line for the World feed and it is unlikely that the IRB would accept this.

When BBC Wales are live:

• Live coverage with English language graphics and commentary for World Feed and BBC Wales. To BBC Wales and BT Tower.
• Live coverage clean of graphics for any S4C Highlights use.
• It is up to each applicant to suggest ways of delivering the highlights content to S4C in the most effective way.

Please also note that the IRB have confirmed the following changes to the original kick off times of certain matches:

• Match 8 - kick off 1910
• Match16 - Kick off 1910
• Match 32 in Match Day 4 Option 2 - Kick off 2110

Tender to produce S4C’s Coverage of the Welsh Rugby Team’s Summer Tour to South Africa

02-Apr-2008

Download information about the tender here

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.

Draft Contract S4C’s extended provision for nursery children

06-Mar-2008

Draft Contract S4C’s extended provision for nursery children

Nursery Links – Invitation to Tender

03-Mar-2008

Details of the tender to produce presentation links for S4C’s extended provision for nursery children here.

INVITATION TO TENDER - 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.

Read the tender in full (pdf)

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.

SUBTITLING SERVICE FOR LATE-DELIVERED AND LIVE PROGRAMMES TENDER

S4C needs to be in a position to deliver subtitles for live and late –delivered programmes efficiently and effectively and is looking for a specialist company/ies to provide this service to a high standard for these programmes.

Result of the tender - 05-Dec-2007

Following an open tender process, the contract for 3 years (2008-2010) for Subtitling Live and Late Programmes has been awarded to 2 companies- Tinopolis and Testun. Tinopolis will prepare subtitles for live and late programmes which are produced by them, and Testun will provide this service for the rest of the live and late output.

Read the tender in full (pdf)

FACTUAL DOCUMENTARY SERIES TENDER - 'WILD RUSSIA'

Result of the tender - 26-Oct-2007

Teledu Telesgop has won in open competition the contract to produce the factual documentary series 'Wild Russia'.

Closing date: Friday 5 October 12:00

Read the tender in full (pdf)
Original treatment document by Parthenon (pdf)

CYPRUS v WALES TENDER

Result of the tender - 03-Sep-2007

Ffilmiau’r Nant has won in open competition the contract to produce live and exclusive coverage of the Cyprus v Wales football match, along with a highlights programme.

Read the tender (pdf)

WEATHER PRESENTATION SERVICE FOR S4C

Result of the tender - 29-Aug-2007

ITV Wales has won in open competition the contract to produce S4C’s weather service. The three-year contract comes into force in November this year.

For information about the tender click here (pdf)
For the Appendix B click here (pdf)

GŴYL CERDD DANT CYMRU 2007–2009 TENDER

Result of the tender - 02-Jul-2007

Following a tendering process, S4C has chosen production company Avanti Cyf to produce coverage from the Gwyl Cerdd Dant festival for the next three years.

The Cerdd Dant Festival is an annual event that is one of the highlights of our transmission schedule. S4C has secured the rights to broadcast programmes from the Cerdd Dant Festival of Wales Festival for the period 2007 to 2009.

For information about the tender click here (pdf)
For the draft contract click here (pdf - Welsh only)

RUGBY LEAGUE TENDER

Result of the tender - 01-Jun-2007

Following a tendering process. S4C has chosen production company Nant Cyf to produce the Channel’s new rugby league series, Y Clwb Rygbi 13, subject to contract.

For information about the tender click here (pdf)

S4C's CHILDREN'S TENDER including Questions & Answers

Result of the tender - 04-Apr-2007

The Boomerang Group has won in open competition the contract to deliver the presentation element of S4C's children's service.

The contract comes into force in June, with the new look presentation broadcast for the first time at the end of October.

Designing and maintaining a website is also part of the two–year contract.

For information about the tender click here
Additional notes 01-Mar-2007
Draft contract 07-Mar-2007

2007 RUGBY WORLD CUP TENDER

Result of the tender - 15-Mar-2007

Production company Sunset+Vine have won the tender to provide the Channel's coverage of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, subject to contract.

The competition will be held in France, Wales and Scotland during September and October this year. A minimum of 18 live games and highlights programmes will be shown on S4C.

For information about the tender click here

SBECTEL SERVICE including Questions & Answers

Result of the tender -

Following an open tender process, Testun have been offered a contract by S4C to deliver an Ananlogue Information Service 'Sbectel' on teletext, and a Digital Text (Sbectel Digidol) service for the next 3 years.

Sbectel on S4C provides a daily information service which is updated regularly, with a variety of features on the programmes, programme listings, weather reports, and additional items.

Digital Text is only available on the Sky platform at present, and this is a wonderful opportunity for Testun to enhance the service to its full potential during a time when the service will also be extended to include Freeview in 2007.

For information about the tender click here

INVITATION TO TENDER - DUBBING OF ANIMATED PROGRAMMES / SERIES

Result of the tender - to be announced

For information about the tender click here

DUBBING OF ANIMATED PROGRAMMES/SERIES' - see news

Result of the tender - to be announced

For further information about the tender including questions and answers about the tender click here

SUBTITLING

Result of the tender -

In an open tender competition, Acen were chosen to supply S4C with Welsh subtitles on S4C programmes from January 2007 for three years.

Welsh subtitles are available on S4C programmes for the Welsh hard of hearing, as well as being useful for Welsh learners and those who feel unsure in their understanding and usage of the Welsh language.

Acen will prepare on average 10 hours per week of Welsh language subtitles, the majority of which will be seen in peak hours on the Analogue service and simulcast transmissions on S4C digital.

For further information about the tender including questions and answers about the tender click here

LLIWIAU": WORLD OF COLOURS - closed

Result of the tender - to be announced

For further information about the tender including questions and answers about the tender click here

BRECON JAZZ - closed

Result of the tender - 20-Jul-2006

A Cardiff-based TV company specialising in arts, music and adventure programming has won a three-year contract with S4C to provide coverage of the HSBC Brecon International Jazz Festival.

Indus Films, created in 2005 by Paul Islwyn Thomas, Steve Robinson and Emyr Byron Hughes, will broadcast from the world-famous festival, held 11-13 August, which this year takes New Orleans as its theme.

A highlights package featuring performances from some of the 120 different concerts held during the three-day event will be broadcast on S4C, along with a special gospel concert. S4C's coverage of the festival will be extended in 2007 and 2008.

For information about the tender click here.

DECHRAU CANU DECHRAU CANMOL - closed

Result of the tender - 03-Jul-2006

S4C has awarded a £2m contract to Rhondda-based TV company Avanti to produce the popular hymn singing series Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol, one of the UK's longest-running TV shows. Avanti, which was awarded the contract following an open tender process, will be responsible for around forty programmes each year over the two-year period of the deal. Production will begin in July on a new Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol series, which will be broadcast on S4C in the autumn. The series will also be made available to viewers on broadband for the first time ever.

For information about the tender click here.

ANIMATION AGREEMENTS - closed

Result of the tender - 03-Aug-2006

The monies, awarded as part of a competitive tendering process, are to be split between Calon in Cardiff Bay, Griffilms, with offices in Caernarfon and Cardiff, and a partnership between Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da and Dinamo in Cardiff. Calon will receive £250,000, while Griffilms receives £150,000. The Cwmni Da/Dinamo partnership will receive £100,000.

Over a two-year period, the three companies will be expected to develop and deliver a number of multi-platform animation projects, from short films ranging between 10 seconds and 10 minutes in length, to promotional material. Projects will be expected to reflect S4C's programme priorities as outlined in the Channel's Programme Strategy, targeting family, late-night and children's audiences in particular.

For information about the agreements click here.

DANCE PROGRAMME - closed

Result of the tender - to be announced

For information about the tender click here.

S4C BRAND IDENTITY PROJECT - closed

Result of the agreement - 05-Jul-2006

S4C has appointed Proud Creative to undertake a wholesale rebrand of the Channel in readiness for digital switchover in Wales in 2009. Established by former Kemistry creative director Dan Witchell in 2005, Proud was chosen from a shortlist of five companies following a competitive tendering process. Proud will begin work immediately on the rebranding project, which includes cross-platform designs, on-screen, off-screen and online.

For information about the agreement click here.

CÂN I GYMRU 2006-2007 - closed

Result of the tender - 07-Dec-2005

S4C has offered a two-year contract worth £500,000 to Rhondda-based TV company Avanti to produce the Channel's annual Cân i Gymru/Song for Wales competition, following an open tendering process.

For information about the tender click here.

MESSNER'S ALPS - closed

Result of the tender - 22-Nov-2005

Following an open tendering process, production company P.O.P. 1 has been offered a contract to provide a one-off Welsh language documentary on Reinhold Messner. The programme is part of the international co-production Messner's Alps, part financed by S4C and made by Schwenk Films from Germany. In the programme, the world-famous mountaineer, nature writer and activist takes a journey through the Alps offering an insight to the fascinating world of nature and man, of culture and engineering, economy, science, tourism and mountaineering.

For information about the agreement click here.

SUBTITLING REVIEW SCHEME - closed

Testun Cyf. has won the contract

SPORTS SERIES FOR CHILDREN - closed

Result of the tender - 8-Nov-2005

Avanti production company has secured in an open competition a £200,000 contract to produce a sports magazine series for children that features a whole range of sports, in Wales and further afield. Stamina (20x20') will give viewers a taste of sports not often broadcast on terrestrial channels e.g. sumo wrestling, kick boxing, baseball and extreme sports, as well as more familiar games such as rugby and football. Studio presenters will link between items filmed on location, footage from S4C's sports archive and material that has been bought-in, that will also include funny out-takes.

For information about the tender click here.

URDD EISTEDDFOD COVERAGE - closed

Result of the tender - 05-Oct-2005

A new joint venture between the Boomerang Group and Cwmni Da/Tonfedd Eryri has secured in open competition a £4 million contract from S4C to broadcast the Urdd Eisteddfod over the next four years. The new partnership will be responsible for around 240 hours of TV coverage, with a strong interactive element to the digital broadcasts.

For information about the tender click here.

DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENTS - closed

Announcement Of Development Tender Results - 11-Jul-2005

Five companies are to share S4C's £1 million development fund, the Channel announced today at the end of an open tendering process that's given production companies the opportunity to compete for money to develop a range of projects.

The Boomerang Group, Green Bay and Presentable in Cardiff, Tinopolis in Llanelli, and in Caernarfon, Cwmni Da - which merges with Tonfedd Eryri - have won development contracts with the Channel.

The Boomerang Group, which includes Boomerang, Al Fresco and Fflic, in agreement with ITV1 Wales, receives £350,000 to develop ideas across all genres.

Green Bay receives £140,000 to develop factual ideas. Green Bay will co-operate on development with production company Chwarel, based in Llanystumdwy, north Wales.

Presentable receives £100,000 to develop a range of ideas in the field of entertainment. Tinopolis receives £140,000 to develop ideas for drama.

Cwmni Da - which merges with Tonfedd Eryri - receives £300,000 to develop ideas in all genres. Among those ideas are plans to establish a cross-genre scripting unit and create a community video resource.

Also as part of the tendering process, S4C has commissioned a scoping project by Ffilmiau'r Bont, although the company has not been offered a development contract.

Telesgôp Awarded Interactive Contract - 19-Jul-2005

Independent production company Telesgôp has been awarded a contract by S4C to develop an interactive countryside service to complement its long-running rural affairs series, Ffermio, and the farming bulletins. The new service will use the latest technology, including the internet, broadband and red button services, to pass on the latest country and farming news to viewers and users.

For information about the invitation click here.

The schedule and application form is available here.