BBC Wales launches new channel

New programmes for the new digital channel, 2W

BBC Wales has launched a new television channel for digital viewers in Wales.

Wales is the only part of the UK to have its own service as part of the BBC's new era of digital television and related services.

The new channel, BBC 2W, begins broadcasting on

2W is the new digital channel for Wales.

Monday, 5 November, and is being hailed as the biggest change in Welsh broadcasting since the launch of the Welsh-language channel, S4C, in 1982.

It will broadcast every weekday from 2030GMT to 2200GMT offering a range of new programme from documentary and drama to comedy and music

It will also include some of the existing programmes on BBC Two Wales such as Heineken European Cup rugby and the political programme Dragon's Eye.

And viewers will also have another chance to catch up with the storylines of BBC Wales's current dramas, Belonging, and, The Bench.

Viewers in Wales on all three digital systems - digital satellite, digital terrestrial and digital cable - will be able to watch BBC 2W.

The channel will also be available outside Wales - those with digital satellite elsewhere

Television in Wales is used to competition

in the UK can tune in.

Launching the new service, BBC Wales controller Menna Richards said: "This is the most important and significant development in Welsh broadcasting for decades.

"Thanks to additional investment made by the BBC in BBC Wales we can offer digital viewers in Wales a consistent and coherent service in peak time every week night.

"We have created 2W in response to the demand from our viewers for more programming about Wales for Wales.

"This is in addition to our existing television output on BBC One Wales and BBC Two Wales.

"The English language audience in Wales has never been so well served.

"This is a truly historic development for broadcasting in Wales."

Head of English-language programmes Clare Hudson

BBC Wales's Menna Richards launches 2W

said: "For those people who find themselves saying 'There's nothing on TV', I think BBC 2W will be an answer to their prayers.

"It's a really high-quality, high-octane 90 minutes of programming in prime time specially geared to our own audience in Wales.

"It's irreverent, it's entertaining and it's full of surprises."