S4C & BBC Expand BBC iPlayer Partnership

The BBC has expanded its streaming partnership with S4C to provide greater prominence of the Welsh public broadcaster’s programming on BBC iPlayer.

Under the new plans, S4C’s Welsh-language content will regularly feature on the BBC iPlayer main home page in Wales, and landmark S4C content will appear on the BBC iPlayer home page across the U.K. for the first time.

Links to S4C’s children’s services, Stwnsh and Cyw, will be featured on the BBC iPlayer Kids home page across the U.K. for the first time as well, improving the discoverability of Welsh-language kids’ content.

The new audience features are expected to be introduced in a phased rollout from April this year.

“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,” said Geraint Evans, chief executive at S4C. “And with new features such as Welsh- and English-language subtitles, additional live streams and improved personalization, 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 U.K. as they seek content on digital platforms, making it easier than ever for viewers to discover and enjoy S4C’s programming.”