News

Competing with Netflix: Welsh language TV to be protected with more digital content

Published

2 years ago

May 1, 2022

NEW measures will enshrine importance of regional and minority language in UK broadcasting law, The UK Government has said. A package of support for Welsh broadcaster S4C to produce digital content has been announced.
The plan is to expand S4C’s digital and online services and to remove current geographical broadcasting restrictions amid a shake-up on broadcasting rules. On Thursday, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Nadine Dorries, revealed as part of a white paper, such changes would help the Welsh language broadcaster broaden its reach and offer content on a wide range of platforms.
This comes after the UK Government announced that S4C had secured an improved funding deal in January, which will include an additional £7.5m each year through the BBC license fee to support its digital offering. According to the UK Government, changes to broadcasting rules “will enable S4C to continue to support the Welsh economy, culture and society, reach more Welsh language speakers including younger audiences, and the UK government’s commitment to support the ambition of 1 million Welsh speakers by 2050.”

Decades-old broadcasting regulations will be updated to give the UK’s vital public service system a deal fit for the streaming age and make sure the importance of programmes broadcast in the UK’s regional and minority languages is recognised in the public service broadcaster (PSB) remit for the first time.
The broadcasting white paper published this week also includes plans for regional and minority language content published on digital platforms to be captured in S4C, STV and other broadcasters’ public service remit.
Geographical broadcasting restrictions will be removed from the Welsh language broadcaster S4C so people can enjoy Welsh content no matter where they are in the UK – supporting the Welsh economy, culture and society, and the UK government’s ambition to see one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
Moves to boost the prominence of programming by channels such as BBC, S4C and STV will support Welsh and Gaelic language broadcasting in Wales and Scotland by ensuring they are available and easy to find on smart TVs, streaming sticks and set-top boxes. These are part of plans to give PSBs greater flexibility in how they meet their obligations and strengthen their ability to target younger audiences amid a rapidly changing media landscape.
UK Media Minister Julia Lopez said: “Broadcasting in regional and minority languages provides a crucial opportunity for speakers to enjoy a range of quality shows in a language familiar to them, and a means of cultural expression for communities across the UK.
“We will – for the first time – make the importance of programmes broadcast in the UK’s regional and minority languages clear in law by including it in our new public service remit for television.”
Following the publication of the paper, Nadine Dorries took to social media to explain the changes further. She tweeted: “Noswaith dda… Newyddion da i S4C… The Broadcasting white paper published today expands your remit, secures your prominence and recognises your unique and critical role in British culture. Pob lwc!”
Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said: “Hundreds of thousands of people access Welsh-language content every week and our plans will provide greater support to broadcasters like S4C and make it easier for audiences to find content in the language of their choice.
“Welsh-language broadcasting and production plays a crucial part in the creative industries and the UK Government will continue to support the sector as we work towards our ambition to see one million Welsh speakers by 2050.
“Today’s announcement follows our commitment of £7.5m a year for S4C’s digital development, ensuring the widest possible range of platforms”
The Welsh Conservatives have also welcomed the news. The Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism and Sport, Tom Giffard MS, said the changes “will help broadcasters – including S4C – compete with some of the big streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime”.
The government will continue to support long-term commitments to support cross-border broadcasting on the island of Ireland including funding for the Northern Ireland digital terrestrial television multiplex that has carried RTÉ and TG4 services to Northern Ireland since 2012. It will also consider the scope to ensure the prominence of regional and minority language services.
The government’s Broadcasting White Paper sets out a huge range of measures to protect British content by giving public service broadcasters a more flexible remit for the programmes they produce and show.

This includes plans to better give viewers of video-on-demand services the same protections from harmful content as TV viewers by establishing a new Ofcom code and regulatory powers on content standards.

The government will pursue a change of ownership of Channel 4 to give it the tools it needs to succeed in the future as a public service broadcaster while protecting its distinctiveness.

Business

Expansion for Ashmole & Co with acquisition of Jones Ward Accountants

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

CHARTERED, Certified Accountants, Ashmole & Co, are delighted to announce their expansion following the acquisition of JonesWard accountancy firm in Carmarthen.

Ashmole & Co Carmarthen has today taken over JonesWard who have closed their office in Lammas Street, Carmarthen. All JonesWard staff, including Ian Jones and James Ward, have transferred over to Ashmole & Co and will be based in the Old School, the Quay, Carmarthen.

JonesWard informed their clients that the administrative burden of running a practice had increased significantly over recent years due to the constant changing money laundering and tax regulations, software requirements and so on. Over the past 12 months it had become more challenging to maintain the level of service they had been used to providing.

Ian Jones said, “We feel Ashmole & Co share the same values as us and have the necessary expertise and resources to ensure we can continue to provide the personal touch and level of service clients have been accustomed to. Myself and James are not retiring but we will be supported by Ashmole & Co’s partners and staff from now on in their Carmarthen office.”

Ashmole & Co partners Sharon George, Carwyn Morgan and Vinal Patel will strive to ensure JonesWard clients will continue to receive the high quality of service they are used to.

Vinal Patel, Partner with Ashmole & Co said, “It is our priority to make the transition as smooth as possible with all employees of JonesWard having already transferred to Ashmole & Co and are now based in our office on the Quay in Carmarthen. We look forward to meeting our new clients and working closely with them to meet their needs in the future.”

Ashmole & Co Chartered and Certified Accountants have been established since 1897 and are one of the largest accountancies and auditing practices in south Wales, now operating from thirteen offices throughout south and west Wales including Swansea, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest and Ammanford.

Charity

Fundraiser to take on epic 87k steps challenge to raise funds for Withybush

Published

2 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

SAM Faulkner is challenging himself to walk 87,000 steps in one day to raise funds for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in memory of his father.

Sam will be walking along the Brecon and Monmouth Canal from Brecon to Rogerstone in Newport.

Sam said: “Since losing my Dad last year, I made a personal commitment to do something to raise money every year for the Cardiac Care Unit at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest who looked after my Dad so well in his final days.

“I will be challenging myself to complete 87,000 steps in a day on July 20th 2024 – 1,000 steps for every year of my Dad’s life. I’ll be walking around 40 miles in about 10 hours.

“Canal walks were always a firm favourite of mine and my Dad’s, with many days spent walking along the Grand Union in Northamptonshire when I was growing up.

“My family and I, and the unit at the hospital, would be beyond grateful for anything supporters could give. Thank you ever so much in advance.”

Katie Hancock, Pembrokeshire Fundraising Officer, said: “We’d like to say a huge good luck to Sam with his challenge. Thank you so much for dedicating your time to raise more funds for the Cardiac Care Unit.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive.”

You can donate to Sam’s fundraiser here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/sam-faulkner-1712508280259?newPage=true&fbclid=IwAR2tyVVQVea0DLQelSsrp7Ie2CKjX0jXGnwndR_tBKL-Av2kv8f5nchEolw

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk

Business

Dragon LNG explores integration of LNG and CO2 liquefaction processes

Published

3 hours ago

May 5, 2024

Tom Sinclair

DRAGON LNG, based in Waterston, Milford Haven, recently announced a significant step towards sustainable energy solutions.

The company awarded a contract to Worley, global professional services company of energy, chemicals and resources experts, to conduct a comprehensive feasibility study.

The study is focussing on exploring the potential benefits of integrating LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas)
regasification and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) liquefaction processes at Dragon LNG’s facilities. This integration holds promise for a more efficient operation, with the potential to reduce energy consumption, carbon intensity and the levelized cost of CO2 export not only at the Dragon site but also for Haven industry companies.

If feasible, the technology at Dragon would support wider collaboration with RWE Pembroke Net Zero Centre, whose CO2 would be transported to the Dragon facility for processing before being shipped via non-pipeline transport (NPT) to carbon sequestration sites.

Key aspects to be addressed in the feasibility study include:

Technical Solutions: Worley will evaluate various technical approaches to seamlessly integrate LNG and
CO2 liquefaction processes, ensuring optimal energy efficiency and effectiveness.
Carbon Intensity Reduction: Dragon LNG is committed to sustainability, and the study will assess how the integration of processes can contribute to lowering the carbon intensity of operations, aligning with broader environmental goals.
Economic Viability: Understanding the financial implications is crucial. The study will delve into the levelized cost of CO2 and other economic factors to determine the feasibility and financial benefits of the proposed integration.

Commenting on the partnership, a spokesperson for Dragon LNG stated, “We are excited to collaborate with Worley on this important initiative. As a responsible energy provider, Dragon LNG is continuously seeking innovative ways to enhance our operations while minimizing our environmental footprint. This feasibility study represents a significant step towards achieving those objectives.”

Worley’s expertise in engineering and consultancy services including in the CO2 and LNG sectors makes them an ideal partner for this endeavour. Their track record of delivering sustainability solutions aligns perfectly with the ambitious goals of Dragon LNG.

This collaboration underscores Dragon LNG’s commitment to driving sustainable practices within the energy sector. By exploring the integration of LNG regasification and CO2 liquefaction processes, the company aims to pave the way for a cleaner, more efficient energy future with their ambition of a net zero terminal by 2029.