10 September 2009

   Almost a million viewers across the United Kingdom tuned in to S4C’s live and highlights coverage of a range of Welsh events this summer.

S4C’s coverage, which included broadcasts from the Urdd National Youth Eisteddfod, National Eisteddfod of Wales, the Royal Welsh Agricultural Show, Wakestock festival and Trecoed Races achieved a reach of 979,000 viewers.

This figure has contributed to an increase in the number of viewers watching S4C this summer compared with summer 2008.

S4C’s viewing figures, measured by the independent audience research organisation BARB, showed that S4C’s average peak-hour viewing figures were up 10% this August on last August. Peak-time viewing figures for July 2009 were also up 11% year-on-year.

Three new series launched in the summer, Bro, Cofio and Ralïo+, between them attracted a reach of over a quarter of a million viewers.

Bro, a Telesgôp production for S4C, saw Iolo Williams and Shân Cothi visit various communities throughout Wales. The eight-part series drew a reach of 212,000 people.

Another series which proved popular with viewers was Cofio, presented by Heledd Cynwal. The series combined studio interviews with prominent Welsh personalities with fascinating archive material about key moments in their lives. The series, produced by ITV Wales, attracted a reach of 179,000 people.

The good news for viewers of Bro and Cofio is that both series return in the autumn under S4C’s Crwydro Cymru banner, a series of programmes celebrating our communities, characters, culture and landscape.

Another series which enjoyed success by visiting different parts of Wales was Ralïo+, which now covers local stories as well as major motorsport competitions. The series, produced by P.O.P.1., has so far achieved a reach of 150,000 viewers, delivering a 70% increase in the number of viewers compared to the Ralïo series broadcast in the same period last year.

S4C’s Director of Commissioning, Rhian Gibson said: “We can pride ourselves in the excellent performance of our programmes over the summer.

“At a time of huge challenges in the broadcasting industry, with digital switchover underway and increased competition for all channels, S4C has retained its audience and seen an increase in viewers this summer compared with the summer of 2008. We can now look forward with confidence to the autumn, with its exciting line-up of new series and firm favourites. In addition, the three series that performed so well during the summer, Bro, Cofio and Ralïo+ will feature prominently in the schedule.”