15 June 2022

S4C has brought some of Wales' major sporting events and youth festivals to screens and homes in Wales and beyond in recent weeks.

S4C brought Wales to the world through its coverage of the FIFA World Cup match, which saw the Welsh national football team beat Ukraine and win a place at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar - the first time they have qualified in 64 years.

More people than ever watched the game in Welsh on S4C and watched Wales win its place in the World Cup.

S4C also saw 1.2m viewing sessions with social media content. Today's announcement came from Sian Doyle, S4C's Chief Executive, ahead of her address at the Wales Screen Summit conference.

The campaign also helped Dafydd Iwan, with his performance of his song 'Yma o Hyd' topping the UK iTunes chart last week, above songs by global artists.

Meanwhile, 250,000 people watched S4C's linear broadcasts of the Urdd Eisteddfod, with a quarter of these watching outside Wales. In addition, 250,000 watched S4C's Urdd Eisteddfod content on social media.

The figures come as the channel prepares to unveil its new strategy ahead of its 40th anniversary this year.

The strategy will seek to bring the nation together with bold new content that reflects Wales in all its diversity, and bring Welsh language content to our viewers, wherever they are in the world.

Sian Doyle, S4C's Chief Executive, said: "The growing popularity of Welsh language broadcasting is gaining S4C a reputation as the home of Welsh national experiences.

"With exciting plans for international partnerships and co-productions, S4C is bringing Wales to the world and lead the work in a new age of global interest and excitement with Welsh talent.

"I wish the national football team well as they prepare for Qatar and S4C looks forward to working in partnership."

S4C has secured exclusive rights to broadcast the Welsh national football team for free on public television from 2022 until 2024.