ITV to fight BBC for S4C News contract.

Well surely also the point is that HTV and the BBC aren't exactly comparable as the BBC are obliged to provide S4C with a set amount of programming at no charge -- whereas HTV are in amongst the independents to attract their interest.

Only when that ends, the possible moving of local/Welsh/2W programmes to a separate service happens, and the massive crutch of C4 being obliged to provide everything it broadcasts free of charge is taken away, will it become in any way interesting in terms of how this minority interest channel can survive at all. No one is watching it as it is now -- few are willing to advertise on it.

I believe HTV make the still longest-running Welsh programme mind you -- Cefn Gwlad.

But what resources do HTV have to hand that could attempt anything approaching a national/international news service?

It is more than likely that post-2008 S4C will end up v similar to TG4 -- running for half the day or so, with a good deal of Welsh, but filled out with some odd foreign films and dubbed Singing Ringing Tree-esque communist cartoons.

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I believe HTV make the still longest-running Welsh programme mind you -- Cefn Gwlad.

They do indeed, but not wanting to quibble, Pobol Y Cwm is longer-running (if that's a proper phrase) going since 1974, and Dechrau Canu Dechrau Canmol (the Sunday night hymn singing slot) has been going since the early 60s - orginially produced by the BBC now independently produced.

Anyway, Media Guardian saying today that it looks unlikely S4C would get ITV to produce Newyddion, but looking for cooperation with them in other areas possibly...
Also says they're not looking at producing English programming

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Welsh broadcaster S4C has ruled out a move into English-language programme production.
Channel 4 currently supplements S4C's analogue schedule with its own, English-language shows such as Countdown. With S4C under pressure to maintain its audience share in a principality that has the highest digital penetration in the UK, some industry observers believe the English-language route is a viable option.

But the S4C chief executive, Iona Jones, said the annual £86m government grant given to S4C applied to Welsh-language output and described analogue switch-off as an opportunity to increase Welsh production, not diminish it.

"I am committed to taking advantage of the fact that this is the first time we will have a Welsh-language channel," she said.

"The funding which we currently receive is specifically for the purpose of Welsh-language programmes. And, therefore, any extension into English-language programmes would require another financial model. Whilst I recognise this as a debate, my starting point is that nothing can detract or undermine our core purpose, which is the provision of Welsh-language programmes."

Ms Jones added that S4C could acquire a new name over the next 12 months as it puts out a tender for a rebranding of the broadcaster. However, S4C's logo is likely to be altered rather than the name itself. Ms Jones said "everything will be under consideration" but described a name change as "highly unlikely".

She left open the possibility of forging closer links with ITV, despite playing down the network's overtures to take over its news programming.

Roger Lewis, the head of ITV Wales, told a meeting of Welsh MPs last week that taking over the S4C news contract from the BBC would be healthy for democracy in the principality.

"As we go forward in the digital age, I am sure we all agree that there has to remain an alternative to our strong BBC, particularly in news and current affairs in the Welsh and English languages, when we debate, discuss and report on issues vital to our nation," he said.

Ms Jones said S4C had received a "formal approach" from ITV suggesting various forms of cooperation.

She said broadcaster was interested in working more closely with ITV Wales, which already makes programmes for S4C, but not in terms of switching its evening bulletins to another provider. It is much more interested in building its presence on new platforms such as broadband and mobile phones, she said.

"I think to limit that discussion to what we currently recognise as news will limit the scale of our ambitions. It's not about what's shown on S4C on a Monday night. It's about getting information out on a number of different platforms, so we can get to audiences that we do not currently serve."

Ms Jones said the ITV proposal was based on sharing "future technology" as well as "a number of other options".

She added that political and economic growth in Wales - symbolised by the devolved assembly - would have to be matched by strengthening of cultural institutions such as an indigenous-language broadcaster.

"The more those two things [culture and politics] come together, the stronger S4C needs to be."

Mr Lewis said ITV Wales would continue to seek a closer relationship with the broadcaster.

"Our ambition is to work alongside S4C in a spirit of partnership to ensure that we have plurality of voice in an increasingly devolved Wales."