The BBC and S4C have agreed heads of terms on a new streaming partnership that will give S4C programming significantly greater visibility on BBC iPlayer.
Under the plans, S4C’s Welsh-language content will regularly feature on the BBC iPlayer main homepage in Wales, while landmark S4C titles, including drama and live sport, will appear on the BBC iPlayer homepage across the UK for the first time.
Links to S4C’s children’s services, Stwnsh and Cyw, will also be featured on the BBC iPlayer Kids homepage across the UK for the first time, with the broadcasters aiming to improve discoverability of Welsh-language children’s content.
A phased rollout is expected to begin from April 2026, and will mean S4C viewers no longer have to search through BBC iPlayer’s channels guide to find key programmes. Final details are still being finalised and the agreement remains subject to final approvals by both broadcasters’ boards.
The broadcasters said the partnership is expected to deliver further audience benefits, including multiple live streams of S4C sports coverage (including optional English-language commentary on selected streams), increased personalisation for regular S4C viewers, Welsh and English-language subtitles for S4C programmes, and the inclusion of S4C live broadcast channel ads on iPlayer, subject to regulatory approval.
The deal is positioned as a new cornerstone of the 44-year-old partnership between S4C and the BBC. Under the existing arrangement, the BBC commissions Pobol y Cwm, produces Newyddion S4C, provides HD capacity for S4C’s live channel and manages broadcast playout from BBC Wales’ centre in Central Square, Cardiff.
