iPlayer adds Welsh channel

Welsh pubcaster S4C has been given a slot on BBC iPlayer and will eventually bring all its programming to the VoD service and be available live across the UK.

S4C will be the only independent channel available on iPlayer when it arrives, provisionally for an 18-month trail period, in autumn 2014.

The deal means all BBC Cymru Wales and S4C’s Welsh-language television and radio programmes will be available in one place. BBC Wales’ Welsh-language programmes for S4C and BBC Radio Cymru’s programmes are already available on the iPlayer.

The plan was given the go-ahead by the BBC Trust after S4C made a request to the BBC to appear as a full channel with all its programmes on iPlayer.

“BBC Wales is committed to broadening the appeal and reach of Welsh-language content online and this development supports our desire to improve what we offer to Welsh speakers by making it easier for users to find Welsh-language content,” said Sian Gwynedd, BBC Cymru Wales’ head of Welsh-language programmes and services.

S4C’s chief executive Ian Jones said: “This is another substantial step forward in our efforts as a channel to ensure that S4C content is available in as many ways as possible to as many people as possible.”

BBC iPlayer is available for free on over 650 platforms and devices in the UK. Viewers also have the option to download TV programmes on some devices to watch at another time.

It was announced last week that BBC3 will begin premiering all of its scripted comedy on BBC iPlayer from the end of August.