S4C is a Welsh language free-to-air public broadcast television channel.
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S4C's headquarters are based in Carmarthen, at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David's creative and digital centre, Yr Egin.
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From its launch until 2010, S4C carried English-language programming acquired from Channel 4, which could not be received over-the-air in most of Wales; these programmes aired in non-peak hours, and did not always air in pattern with Channel 4's scheduling.
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On digital terrestrial television, S4C has broadcast exclusively in Welsh since the platform's launch in 1998, with the existing bilingual schedule continuing on analogue television.
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In September 2013 S4C began a study into the possible relocation of its headquarters.
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In 2016, it was revealed that S4C was paying £3 million upfront rent to UWTSD, and that it would pay rent over the next 20 years.
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S4C started relocating to the new building from September 2018, and 54 jobs moved to the new HQ.
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In September 2018, S4C committed to ten years of lease on its Caernarfon office, which has 12 full-time staff.
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S4C's remit is to provide a service which features a wide range of programmes in the Welsh language.
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Up until the 1990s, S4C was carried by some Irish cable and MMDS providers before being replaced by Channel 4.
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When digital terrestrial television launched in 1998, S4C added a second, full-time Welsh-language channel called S4C Digidol on 1 November 1998.
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S4C2 had two audio feeds, allowing viewers to select between an untranslated version and an English-only version where all Welsh spoken is translated into English.
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In January 2007, S4C announced plans to launch a Welsh-language children's service.
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S4C launched a high-definition simulcast of S4C called 'Clirlun' on 19 July 2010 to coincide with terrestrial digital switchover in Wales.
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In December 2014, S4C became available on the BBC iPlayer website, both live and on demand, as part of an 18-month trial.
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S4C launched on 1 November 1982, its on-air appearance has always been a representation of the Welsh society and people, but this representation has changed several times.
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On 1 June 1993, S4C introduced a new series of idents, which depicted inanimate objects as having characteristics of dragons, as a reference to the red dragon on the flag of Wales.
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On 18 January 2007, S4C announced that their digital channels would be refreshed with a new corporate logo and brand.
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S4C has faced criticism for poor viewing figures since its launch.
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The S4C Authority refused to comment further and commissioned a review into how the broadcaster was governed in August 2010.
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From its inception, S4C was in part publicly financed: funding came both from its advertising revenue and a fixed annual grant from the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, receiving £102m in 2010 and then £90m in 2011 after the Conservative Party won the general elections in 2010 which consequently made considerable cuts to its funding.
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S4C is controlled by the S4C Authority, an independent body unconnected to Ofcom.
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