The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and S4C today announced a new four-year agreement giving S4C the terrestrial television rights to Welsh international and domestic football until 2012. The new contract starts in season 2008/09.
Under the agreement, S4C will have the rights to show exclusive highlights of Wales' home matches which will include the Qualifying Rounds to World Cup 2010 and the European Championships in 2012. The deal also includes live and highlights packages for the Principality Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup matches.
The agreement coincides with the news that S4C has secured live and exclusive coverage of the forthcoming Cyprus v Wales Euro 2008 qualifier match. The game will be broadcast live on S4C from the GSP Stadium, Nicosia on 13 October (17.15 BST).
David Collins, Secretary General of the FAW said: "Following the successful coverage of highlights of the Welsh International matches and the excellent coverage of the Welsh Premier League and Welsh Cup over the last three years, the FAW is delighted that we are able to continue our partnership with S4C for the period 2008 - 2012. The new contract will deliver considerable coverage of the Welsh Cup and the Welsh Premier League together with the highlights of Welsh International Matches on terrestrial TV."
Rhian Gibson, S4C’s Director of Commissioning, said: “The new contract with the FAW allows S4C to extend its commitment to Welsh football by providing free-to-air coverage of international and domestic matches. We are delighted that football will continue to be part of S4C’s extensive sporting portfolio."
S4C will be offering a production contract for S4C football coverage through its tendering process.
