04 December 2014
From 4th December Welsh language broadcaster S4C’s programmes will be available to view live and on demand on BBC iPlayer.
Appearing as a full channel on BBC iPlayer, S4C programmes will be available for 30 days to stream, with downloads coming soon. This includes programmes such as the new romantic comedy drama Cara Fi (Love Me), entertainment highlights in the Christmas schedule including those fronted by Bryn Terfel and Only Men Aloud. And on New Year's Day the first screening of the one off special episode of detective drama Y Gwyll/Hinterland.
Inclusion of S4C on BBC iPlayer builds on the partnership between the two broadcasters, and ensures that S4C programming is available across the widest range of platforms. These programmes join the Welsh-language output created by BBC Cymru such as Pobol y Cwm currently available on BBC iPlayer. S4C will be the only independent channel available on iPlayer.
Rhodri Talfan Davies, Director BBC Cymru Wales: “It’s fantastic to welcome S4C to BBC iPlayer. This important development makes a wealth of Welsh language output available in one place for the very first time - across S4C and BBC Radio Cymru - making it even easier for audiences to find the programmes they love. It's also a very tangible example of how the creative partnership that exists between the two broadcasters is making a real difference.”
Ian Jones, S4C Chief Executive, “It has been great to have worked together in partnership with the BBC to ensure that S4C content is now available on BBC iPlayer. This is integral to S4C's strategy set out at the beginning of 2012 of ensuring that S4C’s content is available anytime, anyplace, anywhere.
“As the only independent broadcaster to offer content on BBC iPlayer, we hope that it will offer additional opportunities for the public to view the fantastic range of content S4C broadcasts. This will be a very welcome addition to the range of platforms and services through which S4C content is available, and help maintain the huge growth we have seen in those accessing our programmes online.”
Notes to Editors
• Launching in December 2007 as a simple catch-up website, BBC iPlayer has helped pioneer TV on demand by offering audiences the opportunity to watch selected BBC programmes for up to 30 days after broadcast
• BBC iPlayer has since evolved, adding more TV programmes; including entire series, films and exclusive content, live TV channels, programme downloads for offline viewing and personalisation features such as Favourites and recommendations
• Variants of BBC iPlayer optimised for over 1200 mobiles, tablets and connected TVs are also available, allowing audiences to catch-up or watch live wherever they are and on whatever device – offering access on the move over 3G and Wi-Fi , or simple & convenient access via broadband on TV. S4C content is immediately available on many prominent BBC iPlayer outlets, with other platforms to follow soon.
• Since launch there has been over 10 billion requests on BBC iPlayer for TV and radio programmes.
• All S4C programmes are available on the channel's own online on demand service S4C Clic.
• BBC Cymru Wales and S4C have an ongoing strategic partnership which safeguards current levels of investment in programmes for S4C until 2016/17. The agreement, which guarantees the statutory minimum 520 hours of programming supplied to S4C each year by BBC Cymru Wales, maintains the level of BBC Cymru Wales’ investment in original Welsh language television programming produced free of charge for S4C. Both organisations also collaborate on a range of creative projects including hit detective drama Y Gwyll/Hinterland.
• S4C is part-funded by the licence fee, through the BBC Trust, contributing £76m to S4C’s annual revenue.
