S4C to resume working with smaller production companies

S4C is to resume working with smaller TV production companies as part of a new implementation plan, the broadcaster’s management team has said.

Since 2010 the Welsh language channel has faced significant budget cuts, and the UK Government has signalled that in future it will rely entirely on the BBC licence fee for its state funding.

The implementation plan says that in recent years there had been “heavy pressure” to maintain the service while coping with major financial cuts.

The plan says: “This meant that to ensure certainty of supply of programming a strategy of focusing on a number of large suppliers was followed to ensure critical mass during a period of drastically reduced programming budgets.

“S4C has now met with TAC [the body representing TV production companies] to explain the changes made and to ensure that all affected stakeholders understand that the previous strategy is no longer in operation.

“S4C has already engaged with TAC about how best to increase the engagement of smaller companies and it has been encouraging to see this bearing fruit with an increased number of smaller companies joining the organisation.

“To ensure an equality of access to our commissioning team we have also commenced open sessions for all companies to come and meet our commissioners to understand their future requirements and to pitch ideas.”

Gareth Williams, chairman of TAC, said: “We have already been working to deliver on some of the S4C Review’s recommendations, increasing our membership by 20% and working closely with S4C on establishing a comprehensive skills and training programme for the production sector.”