22 November 2021
S4C will show weekly live online coverage of a match from the Indigo Group Premiership this season in a new series - Indigo Prem.
The matches will available online on the S4C Clic player, the S4C Facebook Live page and S4C YouTube page.
The first game of the 14 rounds will be Aberavon v Swansea, at 7.30pm on Thursday 9 December.
In addition to the Thursday night live game there will be a weekly highlights show shared across the S4C Chwaraeon and Welsh Rugby Union social platforms.
Lauren Jenkins will present Indigo Prem, while Whisper Cymru will produce S4C's Indigo Group Premiership coverage.
Lauren Jenkins said: "The Indigo Group Premiership has it all; quality players and coaches, fierce rivalries and competitive games full of tries. This is the highest level of Welsh club rugby and it's the bedrock of the game in Wales. And S4C will be the only place where you can follow the Premiership, so make sure you join us online every Thursday night."
Sue Butler, S4C Sports Commissioner, said: "This is an exciting new venture and one we hope will attract new viewers to the Welsh club game, as well as providing a window on the league for the regular supporters.
"We've developed our online sports coverage over the past few years, and our live coverage of rugby and football, as well as hockey and netball matches, has proved popular. It's great to partner with the clubs and the Welsh Rugby Union and to showcase the Premiership."
Geraint John, WRU Community Director, said: "We have worked closely with S4C on a new and exciting plan for the Indigo Group Premiership which we hope will bring in new audiences as well as satisfy the existing fan-base for the very best of Welsh club rugby.
"All clubs in the Indigo Group Premiership are set to feature in at least one live match during the season, in a regular slot on Thursday evenings.
"We expect these matches to be watched in clubhouses up and down the country as the competition builds to its exciting crescendo.
"Merthyr remain the holders after lifting the title in 2019, before the pandemic curtailed the season the following year. But we have introduced a brand new trophy and welcomed a new title sponsor since that time, so we are now searching for the first club to lift our new Indigo Group Premiership silverware."
ENDS
Live Online matches
Thursday 9 December - Aberavon v Swansea - 7.30pm
Thursday 16 December - Carmarthen Quins v Llanelli - 7.30pm
Monday 27 December - Ebbw Vale v Newport - 2.30pm
Monday 3 January 2022 - Llanelli v RGC 1404 - 5.30pm
Thursday 13 January - Bridgend v Pontypridd - 7.30pm
Thursday 27 January - Cardiff v Ebbw Vale - 7.30pm
S4C Online Coverage - Questions and Answers
How do I watch Indigo Group Premiership matches online?
You can watch matches live on the S4C Clic player on any smart device or computer, by going to www.s4c.cymru/clic, or by downloading the S4C Clic App; from App Store on an Apple device, or Google Play on an Android device. If you have a Smart TV or Smart TV Device (such as Amazon Fire TV Stick), you can watch the game via the S4C YouTube channel.
The games will also be shown on the S4C Chwaraeon Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/s4cchwaraeon, the WRU Facebook page, www.facebook.com/welshrugbyunion, or on S4C's YouTube channel, at www.youtube.com/s4c.
Do I need an account to access S4C Clic?
Yes, you will need to create an account to access S4C Clic. It's simple and free to create an account.
Go to www.s4c.cymru/clic and click on 'Sign Up Now'. Then you will need to enter your name, email address and chosen password, and click 'Next'. That will prompt a confirmation email to be sent to your account, where you will need to click on the link to confirm your account. After clicking to confirm, you will be ready to watch.
Can I watch the games on BBC iPlayer?
No, the games will not be shown on iPlayer, but highlights will be available on iPlayer.
Can I watch the games with English commentary?
Yes, you can watch the games with English commentary on S4C Clic or on the S4C YouTube page.
Can I contact S4C if I need help to watch the games?
Yes. The S4C Viewers Hotline is open from 10am-10pm every day and is ready to offer assistance. Contact the Hotline by calling 0370 600 4141 or emailing gwifren@s4c.cymru.
Why are the games being shown online only?
With the support of the Welsh Rugby Union and the Indigo Group Premiership clubs, S4C has committed to showing a live match every week for the rest of the season. It was decided to show the games online on Thursday nights to ensure a consistent, weekly broadcast slot on a dedicated digital channel which is easy to use.
Over the last few years, S4C has broadcast a large number of rugby games exclusively online, including from the Indigo Group Premiership, Women's and Under 20's international matches and matches from the Welsh Schools and Colleges League. Over 11 million viewing sessions were recorded on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer during the year 2020/21, and providing online sports coverage is a key part of S4C's strategy to expand its digital audiences.
