20 May 2016
The best drama, entertainment, news and sport in Wales are about to be upgraded as S4C announce the launch of a HD service.
From drama like Y Gwyll, to grass roots and international rugby, and Wales' historic Euro 2016 matches – it will all look better on S4C HD.
S4C HD will be available on Freesat and Sky in Wales and across the UK from Tuesday 7 June onwards.
Whilst this will improve the image quality for the service as a whole on Sky and Freesat, it will make a huge difference for football fans that are looking forward to watch Wales in Euro 2016 live on S4C.
Announcing the news, S4C Chief Executive Ian Jones, says that HD is a service that viewers deserve and have come to expect;
"S4C HD has come completely from the need to provide a service that our audience expect and deserve – and its great news for the audience that we are able do this now on this historic occasion for Welsh sport.
"There's no doubt that HD is important for TV viewers in 2016 – and we don't find it acceptable that Welsh viewers receive a substandard service in terms of picture quality, compared with other public service broadcasters. With live sports especially, as with other types of programmes, viewers can see the difference between an ordinary and a HD quality image, and because of this they choose to turn to HD channels.
"With the international football side competing in their first major tournament since 1958, it's great for the Welsh audience that the games will be available in Welsh and now in HD too."
The launch of S4C HD has been welcomed by the Welsh Football Association (FAW) as part of the excitement in the run up to the first match in France on 11 June, when Wales take on Slovakia.
Jonathan Ford, FAW Chief Executive; "We're very pleased to work with S4C during the Euro 2016 campaign. It is important to us that these historic games are available for the Welsh fans in the Welsh language, and it's even greater news that they will now be available in in HD on S4C."
S4C had to close its HD service, Clirlun, in 2012 following significant cuts to the channel's budget. Although S4C still faces a period of cuts and financial uncertainty, Ian Jones says that the importance of HD means it's no longer viable for S4C to continue broadcasting without HD.
Ian Jones says; "We are grateful that the UK Government has maintained S4C's budget at the same level as 2015/16 for next year, which has helped us in this respect. The rest of the money has had to come from our wider budget. The UK Government has announced that they will hold an independent review of S4C starting next year and, naturally, funding is going to be an important part of this. Ensuring that the channel remains relevant and competitive is a huge consideration and our hope is that the Review will take this in to consideration."
S4C HD will launch on Sky and Freesat on 7 June. It's possible that some viewers will need to re-tune their equipment and the S4C Viewers' Hotline is on hand to help.
Ends
Notes:
S4C HD will be available on Sky and Freesat in Wales and across the UK.
Sky: 104 in Wales; 134 in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Freesat: 104 in Wales; 120 in England Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Sky HD and Freesat HD customers may need to retune their equipment on 7 June in order to receive S4C HD. The HD channel will replace the current channel.
Non HD customers will not see any change to their service.
The Euro 2016 matches only will be shown in HD on Virgin.
S4C HD will not be available on Freeview for the time being.
For more information and assistance, viewers can contact the S4C Viewers' Hotline on 0370 600 4141 (Calls cost no more than a national rate call to an 01 or 02 number.); email gwifren@s4c.cymru or on Facebook and Twitter @S4C. The phone lines are open from 9.00am until 10.00pm every day.
