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Amazon set to axe S4C from broadcasting Wales’ autumn rugby internationals

20 Sep 2021 2 minute read
Wales v Australia at the Rugby World Cup 2019. Picture by David Roberts (CC BY 2.0).

Amazon could axe S4C from broadcasting Wales’ autumn rugby international matches, it has been reported.

According to The Rugby Paper, Amazon Prime are declining to allow S4C live coverage of the Autumn Nations Series from 2021, and the highlights package is not guaranteed at this stage either.

The America-based tech company granted S4C access to all of Wales’ Autumn Nations Cup games last year but this time it has been suggested they are of different mind, and could provide their own Welsh language commentary via the red button.

S4C has previously said that talks are “ongoing” to keep the matches on the channel.

The move by Amazon would see all of Wales, England, Scotland, France and Italy’s matches at the Autumn Nations Series in the UK will go behind the streaming service’s paywall, with no autumn rugby Tests being broadcast on free to air channels BBC and ITV.

Ireland’s November matches will be on RTE and Channel 4, but next year Amazon will screen their November fixtures as well.

‘Low quality’ 

The Rugby Paper quotes a senior figure in television sports sponsorship who said: “The movers and shakers at Amazon were surprised that S4C’s viewing figures were so high given the low quality of the rugby.

“It didn’t taken them long to twig that a lot of non-Welsh speakers had tuned in to watch the matches free instead of paying a subscription. So now it’s a different ball game.”

Wayne Pivac’s side will face New Zealand, world champions South Africa as well Australia, and Fiji in the series.


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Mab Meirion
Mab Meirion
3 years ago

You know what to do…shop local !

Rob
Rob
3 years ago

[cough]illegal streams[/cough]
Just make sure your anti-malware is up to date and you don’t allow your browser to download anything.

Huw Davies
Huw Davies
3 years ago

Damn you non Welsh speakers boosting S4C viewing figures so much that it becomes a commercial threat. They’ll be after Gwil and the dogs next.

Gareth W
Gareth W
3 years ago

Another sport that we all enjoy disappearing onto a pay channel meaning massively reduced audiences and levels of support

Barry Pandy
Barry Pandy
3 years ago

Boycott Amazon. Believe it or not it is possible to buy stuff that doesn’t come from Amazon.

Mucky
Mucky
3 years ago
Reply to  Barry Pandy

Sadly, not with a 6 hour delivery time from placing the order.
But yes I agree.

Gareth
Gareth
3 years ago

Rugby in the NH went into a downward spiral, after they sold out to the private equity company that ruined F1 racing. These companies want a return for money invested, and they want to make a profit, and not a small one. Part of the deal involved CVC Capital having control of broadcast rights, but the unions have a say , a majority decision will do, on how they precede.

Gaynor Owen
3 years ago

We should all stop buying from Amazon .and stream else where I can’t afford to watch it on Amazon and I don’t intend to..I love rugby but I guess that’s gone.the same way as F1 this country is going to the dog’s.and Amazon dam you all .

Grayham Jones
3 years ago

It’s time for a new wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 A Free Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Stop being little Englanders and be proud to be welsh kick all English party’s out of wales that’s the Tories Labour and all Brexit party’s

Simon
Simon
3 years ago

Hated the live streaming experience last time I watched it. (amazon via Virgin) Unable to record and watch later, unable to pause or rewind. Awful coverage and commentary.

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