Geraint Stanley Jones (c. 1936 – 26 August 2015) was a Welsh television executive. From 1981 to 1989, Jones was the Controller of

BBC Wales BBC Cymru Wales is a division of the BBC and the main public broadcaster in Wales. It is one of the four BBC national regions, alongside the BBC English Regions, BBC Northern Ireland and BBC Scotland. Established in 1964, BBC Cymru Wales is ...

, from which he oversaw the launch of S4C, the Welsh-language public-service television channel, in 1982. Jones also served as the chief executive of S4C from 1989 to 1994. In 1960, Jones began his career in television broadcasting as a studio manager for BBC Wales. He was elevated to a television producer, before being appointed as head of programmes for BBC Wales in 1974. Jones managed the production of several notable television series during his tenure as BBC Wales' head of programmes, including '' Ryan and Ronnie'', ''

The Life and Times of David Lloyd George ''The Life and Times of David Lloyd George'' is a BBC Wales drama serial first broadcast in 1981 on BBC Two. It stars Philip Madoc as David Lloyd George, the final Liberal prime minister of the UK. The cast also includes Lisabeth Miles, Kika ...

'' (1981), and ''Grand Slam''. He supported ''

Pobol y Cwm ''Pobol y Cwm'' (''People of the Valley''; ) is a Welsh-language soap opera produced by the BBC since October 1974. The longest-running television soap opera produced by the BBC, ''Pobol y Cwm'' was originally transmitted on BBC One Wales and l ...

'', the long-running Welsh language soap opera, which began airing in BBC Wales in October 1974 (and was transferred to S4C in 1982 upon that channel's creation). He also oversaw the launch of

BBC Radio Cymru BBC Radio Cymru is a Welsh language radio network owned and operated by BBC Cymru Wales, a division of the BBC. It broadcasts on two stations across Wales on FM, DAB, digital TV and online. The main network broadcasts for hours a day from ...

in 1977 and

BBC Radio Wales BBC Radio Wales is a Welsh radio station owned and operated by BBC Cymru Wales, a division of the BBC. It began broadcasting on 13 November 1978, replacing the 'Radio 4 Wales' opt-out service (previously the Welsh Home Service). Radio Wales br ...

in 1978. In 1981, the Controller, or head, of BBC Wales, Owen Edwards, left his position at the BBC to shepherd the launch of S4C, a new

Welsh language Welsh ( or ) is a Celtic language family, Celtic language of the Brittonic languages, Brittonic subgroup that is native to the Welsh people. Welsh is spoken natively in Wales, by some in England, and in Y Wladfa (the Welsh colony in Chubut P ...

public-service television channel. Geraint Stanley Jones succeeded Edwards as the new Controller of BBC Wales in 1981. Jones helped to establish S4C, which commenced broadcasting on 1 November 1982, marking a significant expansion in Welsh language television programming. Jones oversaw the creation of

BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition (known as Cardiff Singer of the World from 1983–2001 and BBC Singer of the World in Cardiff in 2003) is a competition for classical singers held every two years. The competition was started by BBC ...

, which debuted in 1983, during his tenure as BBC Wales' controller. Jones later served as the chief executive of S4C from 1989 to 1994. He was named a

Commander of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

(CBE) for his service to broadcasting, particularly in Welsh language television and radio, in 1993. He retired from S4C in 1994. Additionally, Jones, a member of the

Arts Council of Wales The Arts Council of Wales (ACW; cy, Cyngor Celfyddydau Cymru) is a Welsh Government-sponsored body, responsible for funding and developing the arts in Wales. Established within the Arts Council of Great Britain in 1946, as the Welsh Arts ...

, served as the vice president of the

Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama , image_name = Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.jpg , image_size = , motto = , established = 1949 , type = Public , staff = , vice_chancellor = , students = 779 (2017/18) , undergrad ...

. He was also a member of the boards of directors for several organizations, including the

Wales Millennium Centre Wales Millennium Centre ( cy, Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru) is an arts centre located in the Cardiff Bay area of Cardiff, Wales. The site covers a total area of . Phase 1 of the building was opened during the weekend of the 26–28 November 2004 an ...

, an

arts centre An art centre or arts center is distinct from an art gallery or art museum. An arts centre is a functional community centre with a specific remit to encourage arts practice and to provide facilities such as theatre space, gallery space, venues for ...

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...

, and the

Welsh National Opera Welsh National Opera (WNO) ( cy, Opera Cenedlaethol Cymru) is an opera company based in Cardiff, Wales; it gave its first performances in 1946. It began as a mainly amateur body and transformed into an all-professional ensemble by 1973. In its ...

. Geraint Stanley Jones died on 26 August 2015 at the age of 79.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Geraint Stanley 2015 deaths BBC executives BBC television producers Welsh television executives British television executives BBC Cymru Wales S4C Commanders of the Order of the British Empire People associated with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama Year of birth uncertain