S4C and the BBC have agreed a new funding and co-operation pact which guarantees the Welsh language broadcaster a space on the BBC iPlayer until 2028.
Under the new Partnership, Funding and Accountability Agreement, the BBC will continue to provide funding to S4C, with the current £19.4m per year being maintained until the next Licence Fee revision in 2022.
The BBC will also continue making ten hours of programming per week and bolster its technical support for the smaller broadcaster, as well as distributing its shows on the iPlayer.
S4C Chairman, Huw Jones, says: “This new agreement demonstrates clearly what the nature of the relationship between S4C and the BBC will be over the period of the new Charter.
“It provides a strong element of security and stability for S4C over this period, while allowing the opportunity to review the key elements after five years.
“It sets a challenge for the two organisations to identify opportunities for constructive collaboration for the benefit of viewers.
“It builds on the success of the previous operating agreement and on a long tradition of co-operating and working together to serve audiences.
“It once again confirms S4C’s independence as an organisation and as a service.
“I’m extremely glad that the BBC has seen fit to recognise its relationship with S4C as one of its key partnerships under the terms of the Charter.”
Sir David Clementi, Chairman of the BBC says: “This new agreement strengthens the existing long-standing public service broadcasting partnership between the BBC and S4C.
“It recognises the vital role played by both organisations in Welsh language broadcasting – and provides a firm foundation for continued collaboration at a time of significant media change.
“This is an exciting time for broadcasting in Wales, and I’m confident our continued close working with S4C will deliver real creative results, building on the many joint successes of recent years.”
