BBC and S4C have announced a new streaming partnership designed to give S4C programming greater visibility on the BBC iPlayer platform. As part of this initiative, S4C’s Welsh-language content will be regularly featured on the iPlayer homepage for viewers in Wales. Additionally, key S4C programming—including drama series and live sports—will be highlighted on the iPlayer homepage across the UK.

For the first time, links to S4C’s children’s services, Stwnsh and Cyw, will appear on the BBC iPlayer Kids homepage throughout the UK, making Welsh-language children’s content more accessible to families nationwide. The rollout of these new features is expected to begin in phases starting in April, allowing S4C viewers to find their favorite shows more easily without searching through the iPlayer’s channel guide.

The agreement’s final details are being completed, but both broadcasters have confirmed that the heads of terms have been agreed, pending final approval from their respective Boards.

Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of S4C, commented: “We’re delighted to secure a new arrangement with BBC iPlayer, which will ensure greater prominence for S4C content—from sport and drama to live events and children’s programming. With new features such as Welsh and English-language subtitles, additional live streams, and improved personalisation, the viewing experience will be richer than ever. As our audiences increasingly turn to digital viewing, one of our main objectives is to ensure that S4C content is available across platforms, and it will be great to see Welsh-language content given a prominent place on one of the most popular viewing platforms, in addition to S4C’s streaming service, Clic.”

Garmon Rhys, Interim Director of BBC Cymru Wales, added: “We’re extremely proud to be working in partnership with S4C to provide greater discoverability of Welsh language content on BBC iPlayer. This agreement further strengthens our commitment to serving audiences in Wales and across the UK as they seek content on digital platforms, making it easier than ever for viewers to discover and enjoy S4C’s programming.”

The new partnership is expected to deliver several benefits for audiences, including:

• Multiple live streams of S4C’s sports coverage, with options for English-language commentary, and coverage of major national events such as the Urdd Eisteddfod, the National Eisteddfod, and the Royal Welsh Show
• Enhanced user personalisation, allowing regular S4C viewers to see a broader selection of Welsh-language programmes in their guide
• Welsh and English subtitles for S4C programmes, supporting deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers as well as new Welsh speakers
• Inclusion of S4C live broadcast channel ads, subject to regulatory approval

This agreement marks a significant development in the 44-year partnership between S4C and the BBC. The BBC currently commissions the long-running soap opera Pobol y Cwm and produces the daily news service Newyddion S4C. It also provides S4C with HD broadcast capacity and manages the channel’s playout from BBC Wales’s broadcast centre in Central Square, Cardiff.

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