S4C, the Welsh-language public broadcaster, is actively pursuing content commissioning that aligns with the Welsh government’s goal of reaching one million local speakers by 2050. As the network currently transmits over 40 hours a week of children’s content in Welsh, this programming is central to supporting both the language and the culture of Wales.
Sioned Geraint, S4C‘s Education and Children’s Commissioner, noted that the commissioning focus is twofold: ‘ensuring content is both entertaining and engaging, while specifically supporting new language learners’.
The broadcaster operates with one commissioning round each year and places a significant emphasis on live-action projects. This approach is designed to benefit the local creative economy, offering Welsh-language professionals and young actors opportunities to develop their skills.
While S4C remains open to discussing commissions not originally in Welsh, Geraint strongly encourages creators to consider how their ideas can be adapted for Welsh audiences. For projects seeking commission, it is necessary to include a Welsh speaker or be attached to a Welsh company or creative, particularly when discussing finance options. Geraint also advised that a successful pitch must be compelling from the start, stressing the importance of being able to sell the story «in your first paragraph».
