29 March 2010
S4C is to launch an innovative new High Definition channel which will broadcast from 30 April. The name of the new channel will be S4C Clirlun – a new Welsh term suggested by one of the channel’s viewers.
S4C will broadcast the new service on Freeview HD in Wales simultaneously with its current standard definition service. It will provide pictures with greater detail than viewers are used to seeing on current services.
S4C has been commissioning programmes in High Definition for some time including its visually stunning series on the Welsh landscape, Tir Cymru recently shown on S4C in standard definition format. By the end of 2012, S4C plan to be producing all of its programmes in High Definition.
It asked its viewers to suggest a name for the new HD channel that would convey the exciting and innovative nature of the service. Mrs Ann Evans of Crwbin in the Gwendraeth Valley, suggested the name Clirlun – translated as 'clear picture' – following an item on the new channel broadcast on the S4C programme Wedi 7. Mrs Evans, her husband, Llŷr, and daughter, Rhian, are all regular S4C viewers and particularly enjoy Wedi 7.
“It will be a strange experience watching the new High Definition channel realising that I chose the name Clirlun,” said Mrs Evans.
S4C Chief Executive, Iona Jones, said, “We enjoy a close and rewarding relationship with our viewers and we gave them the chance to name our new HD service and to create a new term in the Welsh language.
“The process of digital switchover for Wales will be completed on 31 March with the conversion of the Wenvoe transmitter and its associated relays. From then on, S4C will become a full service in the Welsh language.
“We have created a high quality service in a range of genres in order to make the most of the opportunity to provide Welsh programmes on S4C from morning until night.
“On 31 March, Wales will become the first nation in the UK to complete digital switchover and Cardiff will become the first national capital city in the UK to switch over.
“HD is our next exciting development representing a significant creative, financial and technological investment. It will be a totally new service offering pictures of the highest possible technical quality available on the Freeview HD platform.”
The rollout of S4C Clirlun will begin in April with viewers receiving their service on Freeview HD from the Wenvoe, Blaenplwyf and Kilvey Hill transmitters in south and west Wales. The rollout programme will enable the remainder of Wales to receive the new service on Freeview HD by July. For more information, go to s4c.co.uk/clirlun.
