The BBC and S4C have announced plans for a major new streaming partnership which will provide greater prominence for S4C programming on BBC iPlayer.
The partnership will form the cornerstone of a new agreement between the two broadcasters, with changes reflecting the growth of streaming TV.
Deeper integration of S4C content on BBC iPlayer in Wales and beyond
Multiple live streams of S4C’s sports coverage
Subject to regulatory approval, full S4C live stream with adverts on the iPlayer
Under the new plans, S4C’s Welsh language content will regularly feature on the BBC iPlayer main homepage in Wales, and landmark S4C content – including drama titles and live sports programming – will appear on the BBC iPlayer homepage across the UK for the first time.
Links to S4C’s children’s services, Stwnsh and Cyw, will also be featured on the BBC iPlayer Kids homepage across the UK for the first time, improving the discoverability of Welsh language children’s content.
BBC iPlayer is the UK’s fastest-growing streaming service. There are currently over 15 million accounts viewing the service on average each week, including over 700,000 in Wales.
When will the changes take place?
The new audience features are expected to be introduced in a phased rollout from April this year. The changes mean S4C viewers no longer have to search through BBC iPlayer’s channels guide to find their biggest shows.
Final details of the agreement are being finalised, but S4C and the BBC confirmed today that the heads of terms have now been agreed – subject to final approvals by both the broadcasters’ Boards.
What other changes are expected?
The new agreement between the BBC and S4C is expected to provide a wide range of additional audience benefits, including:
- Multiple live streams of S4C’s varied sports coverage. This includes events with optional English language commentary, as well as national events coverage including the Urdd Eisteddfod, the National Eisteddfod, and the Royal Welsh Show.
- Greater user personalisation. Regular S4C viewers will see a wider range of Welsh language programme choices on their programme guide.
- Welsh and English language subtitles for S4C programmes. A boost for deaf and hard-of-hearing users as well as new Welsh speakers who use subtitles to support their learning.
- Inclusion of S4C live broadcast channel ads. Subject to regulatory approval, this could be the first time adverts are shown on the BBC iPlayer.
The new agreement is set to become the new cornerstone of the 44-year-old partnership between S4C and the BBC.
Under the partnership, the BBC commissions the soap opera Pobol y Cwm and produces the daily news service Newyddion S4C.
The BBC also provides S4C with HD capacity for its live channel on Freeview (via the BBC-B/HD multiplex). Additionally, the BBC manages the channel’s broadcast playout from BBC Wales’s broadcast centre in Central Square in Cardiff.
S4C’s Chief Executive, Geraint Evans said he was “delighted” at the new arrangement, adding the deal will “ensure greater prominence for S4C content – from sport and drama to live events and further strengthens our commitment to serving audiences in Wales and across the UK.”
About S4C
Background
S4C launched in November 1982 as the fourth channel for Wales. The launch came in response to increased demand for a proper home for Welsh-language programming, which until then had fitted around English-language programmes on the BBC and HTV Wales.
Between 1998 and 2010, S4C operated two versions of its main channel – the original S4C service on analogue TV which included a selection of programmes from Channel 4, and S4C Digidol – a digital-only service with a full Welsh-language schedule. Following the conclusion of digital switchover in Wales in March 2010, S4C Digidol became the default S4C service. It’s available on channel 4 or 104 on all digital TV platforms in Wales.
15 years of streaming via the iPlayer
On the 17th February 2011, S4C programmes became available on the BBC iPlayer for the first time. The link-up came hot on the heels of the arrival of S4C’s own catch-up service, Clic, which continues as a standalone service.
In 2023, S4C’s Clic app became more widely available on Freeview Play across the UK. S4C streams UK-wide on Freely devices since 2024. This follows regulatory changes which formally removed geographical restrictions on S4C’s remit.
The 2024 Media Act specifies that the BBC must provide to S4C (free of charge) sufficient television programmes in Welsh to occupy not less than ten hours’ transmission time per week. This must be provided “in a way that meets the reasonable requirements of S4C”.
By: Marc Thornham | Image: S4C Authority & BBC