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Spending review: S4C may rely on BBC money - Arwel Ellis Owen | Spending review: S4C may rely on BBC money - Arwel Ellis Owen |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A former S4C chief executive says there is a "grave danger" the Welsh language TV channel could become entirely reliant on the BBC licence fee. | A former S4C chief executive says there is a "grave danger" the Welsh language TV channel could become entirely reliant on the BBC licence fee. |
Arwel Ellis Owen believes the UK government, in its spending review on Wednesday, could announce an end to its £6.7m funding from 2015. | Arwel Ellis Owen believes the UK government, in its spending review on Wednesday, could announce an end to its £6.7m funding from 2015. |
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has said it will not comment on "speculation". | The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has said it will not comment on "speculation". |
Plaid Cymru's Bethan Jenkins will table an urgent question in the assembly. | |
S4C Authority chair Huw Jones has already said it has "huge concerns". | S4C Authority chair Huw Jones has already said it has "huge concerns". |
The TV channel received £6.7m from DCMS in 2013, down from £101m in 2010. | The TV channel received £6.7m from DCMS in 2013, down from £101m in 2010. |
The BBC will contribute £76.3m from the licence fee in 2013-14, falling to £74.5m by 2016/17. | The BBC will contribute £76.3m from the licence fee in 2013-14, falling to £74.5m by 2016/17. |
Mr Owen said: "I believe there is a grave danger that the government will take £6.7m away from S4C's budget on Wednesday, which will break the chain between money from the government and S4C, which will leave S4C completely reliant on the licence fee from 2015." | Mr Owen said: "I believe there is a grave danger that the government will take £6.7m away from S4C's budget on Wednesday, which will break the chain between money from the government and S4C, which will leave S4C completely reliant on the licence fee from 2015." |
Earlier this year it was claimed that the independence of the broadcaster was safeguarded in an agreement outlining its relationship with the BBC. | Earlier this year it was claimed that the independence of the broadcaster was safeguarded in an agreement outlining its relationship with the BBC. |
The new partnership was agreed following public consultation over plans to fund most of S4C's activities from the BBC licence fee from April. | The new partnership was agreed following public consultation over plans to fund most of S4C's activities from the BBC licence fee from April. |
It meant that S4C will remain independent, also receiving UK government funding and generating its own revenue. | It meant that S4C will remain independent, also receiving UK government funding and generating its own revenue. |
At the time the S4C Authority called it a "historic development for Welsh broadcasting". | At the time the S4C Authority called it a "historic development for Welsh broadcasting". |
'At the mercy' | 'At the mercy' |
But Mr Owen told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme that that being "at the mercy of" [the BBC] was "a very relevant issue in this whole debate". | But Mr Owen told BBC Radio Wales' Sunday Supplement programme that that being "at the mercy of" [the BBC] was "a very relevant issue in this whole debate". |
He added: "So that is why it's important, not only for the financial reasons, for S4C to have a continued funding from an alternative source, but also in terms of its independence it's very important as well". | He added: "So that is why it's important, not only for the financial reasons, for S4C to have a continued funding from an alternative source, but also in terms of its independence it's very important as well". |
Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins told the BBC's Sunday Politics that she was very concerned and would table a question to First Minister Carwyn Jones. | |
Last week, Huw Jones, chairman of the S4C Authority, said DCMS had already confirmed an 8% cut in its budget with the Treasury. | Last week, Huw Jones, chairman of the S4C Authority, said DCMS had already confirmed an 8% cut in its budget with the Treasury. |
He said a meeting between him and UK Culture Secretary Maria Miller was recently cancelled and no other meeting had been arranged. | He said a meeting between him and UK Culture Secretary Maria Miller was recently cancelled and no other meeting had been arranged. |
"This combination of circumstances and events causes huge concern to S4C about the government's intentions," he said. | "This combination of circumstances and events causes huge concern to S4C about the government's intentions," he said. |
The Welsh TV producers' trade body TAC has sent an open letter to Ms Miller calling for a halt to cuts to S4C funding. | The Welsh TV producers' trade body TAC has sent an open letter to Ms Miller calling for a halt to cuts to S4C funding. |
Its open letter read: "If every £1 you invest in S4C generates nearly £2 for the Welsh economy, it follows therefore that conversely, for every £1 of S4C's budget that is cut, the Welsh economy will lose double this amount." | Its open letter read: "If every £1 you invest in S4C generates nearly £2 for the Welsh economy, it follows therefore that conversely, for every £1 of S4C's budget that is cut, the Welsh economy will lose double this amount." |