S4C expands YouTube presence

The partnership will see Sianel Pedwar Cymru (S4C) work with YouTube to inform its digital strategy, focusing on audience growth and improving the discoverability of its content.

S4C said the collaboration will provide greater insight into platform trends and audience behaviour, supporting its ambition to reach more viewers online.

1.1 million hours of S4C content were watched on the platform last year.

As a first step, Newyddion S4C – the broadcaster’s news service – is launching its own YouTube channel ahead of May’s Welsh Parliament election.

Live streams on the channel began with the leaders’ election debate Y Ddadl Fawr on Thursday 23 April 2026. S4C’s live election results programme will also be streamed on YouTube from 11am on Friday 8 May 2026.

To target YouTube audiences, special content will be commissioned for the news and current affairs channel, including the documentary series Sara Manchipp: Into the Manosphere as well as original content from S4C’s digital news service in the form of YouTube Shorts. 

Beyond news, YouTube-first content commissioned by S4C includes a series of seven short 10-minute comedies to be released on YouTube on 11 May 2026, and more from the entertainment series Cabarela and the vodcast Rhwydwaith Menywod Cymru.

YouTube is also home to live sports from S4C, from football and rugby in the national leagues to the British darts championship.

S4C said the move helps to fulfil S4C’s ambition to become a digital-first broadcaster, a central pillar of its five-year strategy, More Than a TV Channel, which launched in September 2025.

Geraint Evans, Chief Executive of S4C, said: “The recent discussions I’ve had with the heads of YouTube UK have been positive, and I’m grateful for their willingness to work with S4C as we aim to make Welsh-language content more discoverable on such a popular platform.”

Alison Lomax, Managing Director for YouTube UK, said: “We are thrilled to partner with S4C as they successfully 'supercharge' their digital presence and bring the vibrant Welsh language and culture to a global stage.”

The BBC’s Royal Charter review recently explored a range of financial sustainability objectives, including options for funding the World Service and supporting sustainable funding for minority language broadcasting, including S4C. Discover more here.