BBC accused of 'slow and deliberate attempt to take over' S4

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/bbc-accused-slow-deliberate-attempt-14064967
Welsh language activists have accused the BBC of pushing a secret plan to extend its control over S4C.

The Welsh language broadcaster now receives most of its funding from the BBC licence fee following a 2010 decision by the Westminster Culture Secretary.

It has now released, under freedom of information rules, details of the agreement it has with the BBC that underpins the arrangement.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Society, which put in the FOI request, said that the agreement revealed the BBC was trying to reduce S4C's independence.

The Welsh language broadcaster now receives most of its funding from the BBC licence fee following a 2010 decision by the Westminster Culture Secretary.

It has now released, under freedom of information rules, details of the agreement it has with the BBC that underpins the arrangement.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Society, which put in the FOI request, said that the agreement revealed the BBC was trying to reduce S4C's independence.

The plans show:

Half of S4C's staff will work from the
BBC's office in Cardiff

The S4C offices in Carmarthen and Caernarfon will be part of the same telephone network as the BBC

S4C's television signal will be broadcast by the BBC

Aled Powell, of Cymdeithas yr Iaith, said: “This secret pact is part of the BBC’s slow but deliberate attempt to takeover S4C, with the support of the Tory Government in London. There won’t be an independent S4C to speak of if they get their way.

“Although they’re refusing to release the details of this seven-year ‘technology services agreement’, it appears from the documents we have that the BBC is demanding a very high price for providing transmission services to the channel.

Take it to the Culture Secretary.

Seems a bit dubious to me. At a time when the BBC is under huge pressure to tighten its belt, why would it want to take over S4C?

All I see is proper back office mergers to save money.

It just seems like prudent ways of lowering costs. So less has to be cut from on air output.

BBC Wales already has a full transmission operation for BBC One Wales and BBC Two Wales. It would surely be able to reduce S4C's Playout costs by playing out S4C as well, rather than S4C running a totally separate Playout operation ?

Ditto scheduling? Ditto telephony provision? Ditto shared office space?

That would either allow S4C to reduce costs (and the BBC to reduce the amount if pays S4C) or it would allow for more money to go into original content?

The BBC is having to make major cuts to make savings, S4C presumably should be expected to make them as well?

In the same way that the BBC's 'signal' in England is transmitted by the Swedes, Canadians, and Aussies ?

The BBC will indeed be supplying playout facilities to S4C at their new Cardiff centre, though before anybody gets
excited that the pres will suddenly take on the same style and attention to detail as the BBC Nations' pres, it won't, S4C's current 'workflow' and methods will be adopted.

You realise the majority of S4C's budget now comes directly from the licence fee via the BBC Trust? So any pooling of resources gives the BBC better value for money.

Got to laugh at the idea of a secret pact with the support of the Tory government. Wish they’d make their mind up if the Tories are pro- or anti-BBC

Well this just seems like an extreme Welsh nationalist who just hates anything they see as English.

"Welsh Language Activists " - 'nuff said

The Welsh Alex Salmond?