ntl:broadcast wins S4C analogue contract

ntl:broadcast has won a contract renewal worth £40m over ten years to continue broadcasting S4C on analogue television in Wales. The previous ten year deal expired this year.

The newly signed "total broadcast" contract comes into effect on 1st January 2003, and will provide end-to-end analogue terrestrial transmission of the S4C channel to homes across Wales from over 200 transmitters. The signal will be delivered by fibre from S4C’s studios in Cardiff to ntl's Wenvoe transmitter which in turn feeds numerous relay stations serving the South Wales valleys. The distribution element also includes a four-hop analogue link and a seven-hop digital link feeding transmitters in north and west Wales. In addition, ntl:broadcast will make modifications to future-proof the S4C network for the duration of the contract.

ntl:broadcast's Steve Holbrook, business director for media solutions, commented: "We are obviously delighted to be continuing this partnership; it’s a great vote of confidence in our long-term ability to provide excellent service and expertise in broadcast transmission."

Arshad Rasul, director of engineering and technology at S4C, said: "ntl:broadcast has provided us with excellent customer service over the past ten years, and has a proven track record in providing broadcast services for the channel. The existing partnership has been very successful and we look forward to working with ntl:broadcast over the next decade."