Language campaigners have made a formal complaint to the television regulator about S4C's decision to force viewers to watch far more programmes with English subtitles that can't be switched off.   

The complaint follows heavy criticism on social media of S4C's marketing campaign which means the majority of its peak time programming this week will have compulsory English language subtitles. Campaigners take the view that the decision is illegal as it breaks the channel's duty to broadcast a majority of programmes in Welsh in the evening.  They also argue that S4C has broken rules on displaying Welsh language subtitling for Welsh speakers with hearing problems.

In a complaint to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom, Curon Wyn Davies, Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg's broadcasting spokesman says:  

"We believe that the channel is breaking Ofcom's code on Television Access Services, as well as the channel's purpose as defined by the 1990 Broadcasting Act. The Act places a statutory duty on S4C to broadcast programmes mainly in Welsh during peak hours.  

"With a significant rise in the number of programmes broadcast by the channel viewers are forced to watch in English, we believe the the channel is acting contrary to the code and the legislation.  

"S4C claims this is an 'experiment' for five days only. However, in reality, we believe this decision means that there will be no Welsh language television service this week. There will only be a bilingual service rather than a Welsh language one. Also, we believe that, although S4C is trying to deny it, this 'experiment' could set a dangerous precedent for its future provision.  

"We are also complaining because Welsh language subtitles will not be available for these programmes – indeed, according to our figures Welsh subtitles are available for fewer than 7% of all the channel's programming. S4C's purpose is to provide Welsh language services, so, naturally, any English language service they provide should also be available in Welsh. S4C has failed to provide sufficient Welsh language subtitling despite the fact that they are an essential service for people with hearing impairments. They are also far more useful than English language subtitles for those learning the language.

"It's vital, considering the state of the language, that the Welsh language service or option is offered proactively –  it's extremely unfortunate they are acting totally at odds to that principle by compelling people to watch an English-only subtitling service."