01/09/09
On with the Show!S4C launches national campaign to help residents with digital switchover
S4C is inviting the people of Wales to join their innovative circus skills roadshow to learn more about digital switchover.
The celebrity-led, free of charge On with the Show! roadshow - a series of exciting circus skills displays and open community workshops - begins its tour of the country on 1 September.
The roadshow is being launched in the Swansea area to help residents understand the major changes about to hit the airwaves.
One of Wales' most popular presenters, Wedi 7 host Angharad Mair, will lead the proceedings in the Swansea area.
The roadshow will be stopping off at Castle Square Gardens at 12pm and 2.30pm on Tuesday 1 September, and at Margam Park, Port Talbot at 12pm and 2.30pm on Wednesday 2 September. Mention S4C or On with the Show! at the entrance at Margam and gain FREE entry!
Workshops are taking place every day between Thursday 3 September and Monday 7 September at various locations throughout the Swansea and Neath area.
The launch takes place ahead of the important all-Wales Freeview re-tune date on 9 September 2009, and the Kilvey Hill transmitter area switchover on the same date.
Free of charge performances featuring members of the acclaimed circus group NoFit State Circus will present key information to residents about switchover. Meanwhile, circus skills workshops will give members of the public the chance to try their hand at a circus skill themselves - after all, if you can learn to juggle, switching to digital will be easy!
Digital switchover brings major changes for S4C. Currently programmes in Welsh are interspersed with English-language shows from Channel 4. After digital switchover, S4C will be entirely in Welsh and all Channel 4 content will be broadcast separately.
Other well-known S4C personalities to take part in the roadshow include quizmaster, football reporter and presenter Morgan Jones, comedian Tudur Morgan and presenters Sarra Elgan and Alex Jones.
An on-screen campaign featuring the S4C stars and their circus tricks will also be broadcast throughout the switchover period.
Tim Hartley, Head of Corporate Affairs at S4C, said: "We are very keen for the residents that live within the Kilvey Hill transmitter area to receive the most comprehensive and up-to-date information about the imminent digital switchover so they are able to continue to enjoy all of their favourite S4C programmes.
"The digital switchover period presents a unique challenge for S4C. Our aim during this complex process is to maintain the loyalty of our core audience by offering a varied output of original, innovative and attractive high-quality programming."
He continued: "By giving residents the chance to learn circus skills, we want to emphasise that if they can learn a tricky circus skill, then switching to digital will be a piece of cake!"
