Huw Edwards has led a chorus of disapproval at the shock news big Wales football matches are to be lost to free-to-air television.
The broadcaster took to social media to express his concerns following the news that a new streaming service will show Wales' World Cup and Euro qualifiers, as well as Nations League matches, from 2024 onwards. Edwards was one of a number of individuals unhappy that S4C, who have covered Wales games for almost 20 years, are to lose the rights.
Instead, Nordic-based streaming service Viaplay have won exclusive rights to show Wales matches in the future. It means Wales games will no longer be shown on Sky Sports and S4C. The Welsh language channel has continuously broadcast international matches since 2003.
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Viaplay plan to offer Welsh language coverage and say that some matches will be shown free-to-air. But veteran broadcaster Edwards took to social media to argue that S4C was the proper place for Welsh football and that as a supporter he loves their coverage.
He tweeted: "FACT: S4C is the natural home of Wales football... and we the fans love the coverage". The comments provoked a number of responses from concerned Welsh fans, with some describing the decision as "outrageous" and fearing that it would lead to a "drop-off in the following" of the Wales team.
Covering sporting events has perhaps been the channel's bread and butter over the years, attracting Welsh and non-Welsh speakers in and outside of Wales. Sgorio - S4C's football programme - attracts viewers in their thousands. A Wales v Denmark Nations League clash four years ago attracted 237,000 viewers on Sgorio Rhyngwladol ('International Sgorio').
In the S4C annual report published in 2021, the channel revealed that year's Wales v England Six Nations rugby match had the biggest reach of any of their broadcasts over the past 10 years. It was felt Amazon Prime Video's new deal to exclusively broadcast live coverage of Wales' autumn rugby internationals was deemed a "retrograde step" for the channel.
This week's news about the Wales football team also sparked backlash from veteran S4C commentator and avid football fan, Nic Parry. During an interview with Newyddion S4C, the Welsh language commentator said the loss of games to a new streaming service was a "huge blow" for S4C. He said: "There is no doubt - and there are far more knowledgeable people than me within the channel that can confirm this, but this is a huge blow for S4C.
"As a supporter, I see this as disappointing, but I tend to go to the games. As a commentator, it will be the end of an era for me and it will be very sad after nearly 40 years of covering football in Wales, that that would come to an end." He went on to say it was "the supporters, not me" who would be hit the most.
S4C bosses will assist the FAW in discussion about Welsh language coverage being available for future games. A spokesperson for the channel said: "S4C are passionate supporters of football in Wales. Within that time, the channel's football provision has grown tremendously, including for international women and youth football teams, as well as the comprehensive provision of the Welsh football pyramid.
"The partnership between S4C and Football Association of Wales has been and will continue to be beneficial for football in Wales as a whole. S4C is also in discussion with the FAW to ensure than Welsh language coverage is available for these games."
When Amazon took the rights for Wales' autumn rugby games last year, against New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Fiji, they offered a Welsh language service via the red button. Viaplay announced they too will offer Welsh language commentary to those who want it when they take over Wales games.
Viaplay will show Wales qualifiers for the World Cup 2026 and Euro 2028, as well as UEFA Nations League and friendly matches. It's not clear just how much it will cost fans, many of whom will already be shelling out for subscriptions to services such as Sky Sports, BT Sport and Premier Sports in a bid to catch their favourite teams.
In the US, the service costs around $4.99 per month, which translates to around £4 a month in the UK at current exchange rates. Further details are expected when the service launches in the UK in the second half of the year.
The agreement comes through UEFA's centralised National Association media rights sales process, and means the Viaplay platform will also be the home of Scotland and Northern Ireland games. However, England matches are not part of the agreement.
Guy-Laurent Epstein, marketing director at UEFA, said: "With Viaplay’s long-lasting football track record, we are confident that football fans across the UK will be part of the journey of each of the Home Nations and will be offered excellent coverage of the UEFA National Team Football competitions between 2024 and 2028, whichever screen they choose to use.”
