Funding Confirmed for S4C

CARDIFF: Welsh-language broadcaster S4C will receive £74.5 million ($106.4 million) in funding from the BBC in 2017-18.

The BBC Trust has pledged to continue the current funding level, which runs to March 2017, to 2018. The government had previously announced it would review the channel in 2017. The funding from the BBC provides financial stability to S4C during that review. The financing is in addition to 520 hours of programming provided to S4C by the BBC each year.

“I am delighted that we can provide stable funding for Welsh-language broadcasting on S4C during this important time for the channel,” said BBC Trust Chairman Rona Fairhead. “We are absolutely committed to ensuring that audiences in Wales are well served in both languages and I hope that the BBC and S4C’s successful partnership will continue into the next Charter.”

BBC Trustee for Wales Elan Closs Stephens said, “I am pleased that the BBC’s strong partnership with S4C will continue to deliver for audiences, with a stable income into 2018. In the next Charter period we hope to set the foundations for a renewed relationship with S4C and the continuation of high quality Welsh-language programs for audiences across Wales.”