S4C’s Cyw gets UK recognition

S4C’s dedicated service for younger viewers, Cyw, takes on some of the biggest names in UK television at this year’s BAFTA UK Children’s Awards.

The service, launched in June 2008, will go head to head with CBBC, CBeebies and NickJr in the Awards’ Channel of the Year category.

Rhestr Nadolig Wil, a Boomerang production for S4C, has also been nominated in the drama category, and will face competition from CBBC’s The Sarah Jane Adventures, among other programmes.

Cyw is broadcast every weekday, from 7.00am-1.30pm on S4C digidol. The service is available throughout the UK on digital satellite TV and most programmes can be viewed online. A lively bilingual website accompanies the service, s4c.co.uk/cyw, and English subtitles are available.

Original programming lies at the heart of Cyw, including favourites such as animation Holi Hana (Hana’s Helpline), fitness series Heini, and ABC, a programme introducing youngsters to the alphabet, which won a Royal Television Society award earlier this year.

Iona Jones, S4C’s Chief Executive, said, “The launch of Cyw was a historic development for S4C, for Welsh language broadcasting and children’s television in general in the UK.

“As a public service broadcaster, S4C believes that broadcasting for children is an integral part of its remit, and Cyw is the first phase in our strategy to extend our programming for children of all ages.

“I’m delighted that all the hard work on Cyw – which has received such a positive response from youngsters and parents alike - has paid off and that S4C has been recognised by this prestigious event.”

This year’s Bafta Children’s Awards will be held in London on 29 November.