27 May 2008

 A new chapter in children’s broadcasting is announced today (Tuesday, 27 May) with the official launch of Cyw, S4C’s ground-breaking Welsh language service for younger viewers.

Chirpy animated character Cyw (the Welsh word for chick, pronounced like the letter ‘q’) will front the new year-round service, which will go live on air on 23 June on S4C’s digital channel, S4C Digidol.

The new service will extend S4C’s nursery provision by broadcasting six and a half hours of programming per day, Monday-Friday, 7.00am-1.30pm.

A lively bilingual website - s4c.co.uk/cyw - full of games and activities, as well as information for parents, will accompany the service. Many programmes will be available to watch on-line, while English subtitles will also be available on most shows.

Full details of Cyw will be unveiled at a special launch event – including a colourful parade featuring many of S4C’s most popular children’s characters and presenters - held at the Sir Conwy Urdd National Eisteddfod.

Cyw is the first phase in S4C’s strategy to introduce a separate Welsh language service for children and young people.

“The launch of Cyw is one of the most important developments in S4C’s history and reflects the channel’s commitment to the children of Wales and their families,” said S4C Chief Executive Iona Jones.

“I’m confident this significant expansion will reinforce the good name S4C and its independent producers have in the field of children’s programming – in Wales, the UK and internationally.”

Cyw, with the help of his friends, Bolgi the dog, Jangl the giraffe, Llew the lion, Plwmp the elephant and Deryn the bird, will present the links between programming on the new service. Children’s presenters Rachael Solomon and Gareth Delve will also play a key role.

Original programming made in Wales by Welsh production companies and in partnership with international broadcasters will lie at the heart of the ambitious service.

Among those programmes will be live-action series Pentre Bach, song and dance show Triongl, animations Holi Hana, Sali Mali and Sam Tân, and new series such as keep fit show Heini.

S4C Digidol is available free-to-air in Wales on Sky 104, Freeview 4, Virgin TV 194 and Freesat 104. Outside Wales, S4C Digidol is available on Sky 134 and Freesat 120.