Newport Gwent Dragons players, S4C characters, members of the contemporary circus group NoFit State Circus celebrated at Rodney Parade in anticipation of S4C switching to digital in the Gwent area on 31 March 2010.
The Wenvoe transmitter is the last area to switch to digital, marking the end of analogue for S4C and the whole of Wales, and the beginning of a new era in Welsh broadcasting.
Sali Mali and circus performers provided information about the switchover in an entertaining circus skills display at Rodney Parade. Dragons players Joe Bearman and Lewis Evans urged viewers to adapt every television set in their homes from 31 March 2010 so they can enjoy S4C as a totally digital and entirely Welsh language channel.
S4C switches to digital in the South East Wales region on 31 March 2010. To find out when you switch to digital go to www.s4c.co.uk/digital or call S4C’s viewers’ hotline on 0870 600 4141.
The change will see the traditional analogue TV signal switched off and in its place a new and stronger digital TV signal will be broadcast.
To draw people’s attention to the changes, S4C has been staging a circus-themed roadshow called On with the Show, including an exciting, free-of-charge display featuring contemporary circus performers NoFit State Circus. The events have been hosted by some of the channel’s best-known presenters, including Nia Parry, Gareth Roberts, Daloni Metcalfe, Dudley Newbery, Angharad Mair and Morgan Jones.
For more information visit www.s4c.co.uk/digital.
The shows have aimed to entertain all ages while helping to communicate the benefits of digital switchover and the changes to S4C. They also serve to emphasise that switching to digital isn’t as difficult as learning circus skills.
Viewers who watch TV through an aerial (whether analogue or digital) will be affected by switchover, and will need a digitally-enabled TV or set-top box to continue receiving S4C. Viewers who have Sky, FreeSat or cable TV will not be affected by switchover, but viewers watching on Freeview will need to retune when S4C becomes a totally digital and entirely Welsh language channel.
Every television in the home will need to be adapted, not just the main set.
After switchover, S4C will be an entirely Welsh language channel. Channel 4 programmes will be available separately in Wales
Tim Hartley, S4C’s head of corporate affairs, said: “The digital switchover is a very important stage in S4C’s evolution because soon we will be an entirely Welsh channel. We value our viewers and we have been staging the On with the Show campaign in the heart of communities since the start of switchover, to offer support and advice, and to demonstrate that switching to digital isn’t difficult – certainly not as difficult as learning tricky circus skills.”
S4C will continue to entertain and inform throughout and beyond digital switchover with a wide range of award-winning programmes, from live events and sport, to drama, music, news and current affairs, entertainment and children’s programmes.
For further information about digital switchover and about On with the Show activity, call the S4C Viewers’ Hotline on 0870 600 4141 or visit S4C’s digital switchover website www.s4c.co.uk/digital
