91Èȱ¬

Some 200 people have demonstrated outside the 91Èȱ¬ studios in Carmarthen in protest at the plans for the Welsh language television channel S4C.

Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg, the Welsh Language Society, accused 91Èȱ¬ Wales of "betrayal" by co-operating with the "London government" to take over S4C.

Among the speakers were former Plaid Cymru president Dafydd Iwan.

From 2013, S4C will be funded from part of the 91Èȱ¬ licence fee. 91Èȱ¬ Wales said the decision was the UK government's.

Last month, 20 people staged a sit-in at the lobby of 91Èȱ¬ Wales' headquarters in Cardiff, blocking in the entrance.

Protesters want the corporation to change its mind about taking over the funding of S4C.

The channel faces a 25% budget cut by 2015 under funding changes by Chancellor George Osborne.

Cymdeithas said the changes will make the channel a "sub-department of the 91Èȱ¬" from 2015.

In a statement, it said: "We call on young parents who appreciate the Cyw and Stwnsh programmes for children, we call on rugby supporters that S4C has given such a financial boost to, we call on young people who want to see a future for their channel.

"This could all come to an end if we don't raise our voices now."

Following the protest at the 91Èȱ¬ studios, demonstrators said they plan to travel to the Whitland offices of Conservative Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire MP Simon Hart.

Mr Hart had discussions with David Cameron around the time the changes to S4C's funding were announced.

S4C had considered seeking a judicial review over the UK government's decision to change the channel's funding arrangements but last month confirmed it had abandoned the plan.

A spokesperson for 91Èȱ¬ Wales said: "The decision to change the funding arrangements for S4C was made by the UK government, not the 91Èȱ¬.

"Discussions are ongoing between the UK government, S4C and the 91Èȱ¬ and further details will be provided in due course.

"However, Mark Thompson, director general of the 91Èȱ¬, Menna Richards, former director 91Èȱ¬ Cymru Wales, and Elan Closs Stephens, 91Èȱ¬ national trustee for Wales, gave evidence to the Welsh Affairs Committee in the House of Commons recently and Mark Thompson has also agreed to meet with Cymdeithas yr Iaith within the next few weeks."

S4C's budget is being cut as part of the UK government's Spending Review.

The 91Èȱ¬ will take over part-funding of S4C from 2013, with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport reducing its grant by 94% over the next five years.

UK Culture Minister Ed Vaizey has said the UK government is "committed to Welsh programming and committed to S4C".