S4C future does no lie in English language programmes.

The recent YouGov poll, commissioned by S4C programme Y Byd ar Bedwar , found 53% agreed the channel should show English programmes, with 18% disagreeing and the rest not expressing a view. Welsh speakers were more evenly split, with 36% backing English-language programmes on S4C and 35% against.

However this do show why people would want English language programme on S4C.

• They may think that this this only way S4C could survive.
• They may be fed up with the piss poor Welsh productions of Independent TV companies and the haphazard way BBC covers Wales.

Labour MP Chris Bryant said: “I want S4C to serve all of Wales, not just part of Wales.”

But the poll did not ask as far as I know “would you like more programmes with a Welsh context onS4C but simplerly more programmes in English".

However those of us who can remember what Welsh Language programmes were like before the creation of S4C (and I suspect neither Chris Bryant or Peter Black ,who expresses similar views do) know what it was like 

 Programmes (what there were) scattered all over the schedule, and often in the afternoon or very late at night. and when they were shown English speakers complining thet could not watch their shows.

If English language programmes were to be included on S4C, how long before demands were made that should take up the prime-time spots?

I have argued  here  that f we need to increasase S4C's audience by attracting  Non-Welsh speakers to S4C then they should look at European productions and subtitle them in Welsh and English.

In the meantime Synidau points out the problems of existing English Language programmes on the BBC which relate to Wales and this would be multiplied if S4C was to fail but in a digital age but why do we have this problem?

I for one believe that when we only had five or six terrestrial channels that this always one programme that I wished to watch . Now with freeview there numerous channels there is all to often not one programme of quality I would wish to see. More choice seems to have left me with no choice.

If the future of S4C and its quality are to be discussed why single it out ? Can it be that this is merely an excuse for those who are opposed to the Welsh language to attack it through cutting S4C funding so that it becomes increasingly lees viable so they can abolish it all together.

The spurious call for the likes of Chris Bryant for English language programmes on S4C is an attempt to use a valid argument about English Language broadcasting  about Wales.Is just attempt to attack the Welsh Language, which they see as furthering Nationalism.Of course in reality they would be quite content that monoglot English speakers in Wales remained ignorant of Wales . They most certainly would not like to see a series like Pen Taler now showing on S4C or any series that gave the impression Wales was not anything but a subordinate part of the British State.

The future of Broadcasting in Wales is to vital for those who wish to divide Wales and its people (whatever Language they use) to win through.

S4C: Death by Cuts?

This is my 100th Blog so it seems appropriate I cover old themes.

The reports that S4C will be seeing an overall cut of its budget over the next 4 years is of great concern. but it is interesting to see the reaction of both the Tories and Lib-Dems.

Glyn Davies seems to be denying (a la Peter Black over Rail Electrification)) the media reports: but puts a case for shifting the responsibility to the Assembly thereby placing any negative reaction to cuts soley with the  Welsh assembly government and not his own.Meanwhile at Subordinate Central Eleanor (Who) Burnahm makes the plea that:

While this is just speculation at the moment, if these cut have to be made, S4C must ensure that the quality and standard of Welsh language programming are not affected. S4C need to make efficiencies in backroom functions to limit cuts in what we, the viewers, see on the channel. S4C must look at cuts in management and senior staff salaries as some of the pay in the higher echelons are out of touch with people living in the real world.

More Tory speak from the Lib-Dems.

Both attempt to tie S4C to Plaid Cymru. I suspect that they hope we monoglot English speakers, who support or vote Plaid will take umbrage if the Welsh language does not suffer from the savage cuts and respond by abandoning Plaid.

The problem is that they can’t see  that S4C could not survive a 25% cut in its budget over 4 years  it will lose viewers and this will  lead to  calls to end  all financial support from either government.
What we need is for S4C to expand to bring English speakers by buying Foreign Language films as I argued in one of my first ever blogs. These can then be seen using subtitles. The popular series Wallander it its original (and to my mind superior) Swedish Language version is being repeated on the BBC4 . There must be other such series worth seeing and S4C could be the vehicle for this.

Perhaps readers of this Blog can make suggestions in the comments section?

Wallandar and Wales

I am a big fan of Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander novels and really enjoy the BBC seies starring Kenneth Branagh. However I personaly prefer the Swedish version with Krister Henriksson who gives a more realistic preformance of the angst ris detective. I do see a paradox in that if the BBC had not spent the reported £6 milion on the first series alone we probably would not have been atracted to the Swedish Version.

Maybe it’s partially due to the fact that I am an English speaking Welshman who is well used to watching subtitles on S4C that I am comfatable with watching subtitled programes in other languages.

Two of my favorite films are Amelie with th brilliantAudrey Tatou and Sophie Scholl a film about one of the courageous youn girls in history.

This brings me to my point Swedidh television have also produced the Van Veeteren stories by Håkan Nesser, Based on the Wallander series it sprobably worth seeing.

Could’t S$C buy this and subtile it in Welsh and English itcould raise S4C profile and male Welsh more Intenational It could even attract viewers fron outside the UK. Is this agood idea or doesi go contra to S4C’s remit.