View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. Comment
August 6, 2013

BBC Wales announces plans for new online Welsh language service

By Louise Ashwell

BBC Wales is set to create six new jobs with the introduction of a new online Welsh language service. 

The service, called Cymru Fyw, will include a live blog stream, opinion articles and features, and the latest news stories from across Wales. The site will also serve as a platform for other topical BBC products available in Welsh, such as BBC Radio Cymru and Welsh language TV programmes available on BBC iPlayer.

Cymru Fyw, which translates as 'Wales Live' in English, is due to be launched in the next few months and will be piloted for an initial period of two years.

Six positions are being created within the BBC’s Welsh language team for the new service. A BBC Cymru Wales spokesperson confirmed that they are currently advertising two broadcast journalist posts, as well as for a producer and senior producer. An Assistant News Editor has already been appointed, and one other vacancy will be advertised from September.

Sian Gwynedd, BBC Cyrmu Wales’ Head of Welsh Language Programmes and Services, said the move by the BBC is designed to broaden the reach of Welsh language online services.

“Online, interactive services in Welsh have to compete with global media and that is one of the most significant challenges facing the language," he said. "Although we’ve been one of the most popular Welsh language interactive services for many years, we want to achieve an even bigger impact with our audience.”

“Over the last year the number of browsers accessing BBC Welsh language sites has increased by more than 50 per cent – but we’re confident there’s room to grow further as mobile and tablet usage increases. We want to build on the success to date to reach 50,000 unique browsers a week.

Content from our partners
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it
Impress: Regulation, arbitration and complaints resolution

“Cymru Fyw represents an exciting and significant investment into Welsh language online and will offer users a more topical and distinctive service. We need to work together with other Welsh language online providers in order to ensure we pack a bigger punch. Cymru Fyw will help users make the most of the Welsh language content, and other resources relevant to them, available across the internet.”

Topics in this article : ,

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network