Viewing sessions on S4C social media accounts almost double over to 10 million

The number of viewing sessions on S4C’s social media accounts have almost doubled in the space of a year.

Between April 2020 and March 2021 over 10 million viewing sessions were reported across Welsh language broadcaster’s main accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube, which is an increase of 49.7%.

The most popular content on its accounts includes clips of the Iaith ar Daith series, where celebrities learn the Welsh language, Y Llinell Las, which is behind-the-scenes look at the work of North Wales Police Roads Policing Unit, song competition Cân i Gymru, and popular rugby show, Jonathan.

In addition, over half a billion viewing sessions were reported across all of S4C’s GIFs during the past five years. On average its GIFs attract around 700,000 viewing sessions each day.

The most popular GIFs include Huw Chiswell in the iconic Ibiza Ibiza film and the character of Plwmsan in the popular 80s children’s programme, Anturiaethau Sir Wynff and Plwmsan.

‘A hit’ 

Owen Derbyshire, S4C’s Director of Marketing and Digital said: “I am very pleased that our content on S4C’s social media accounts is a hit with our followers.

“Social media is an important tool for us to promote and engage with our viewers as well as attract new audiences.

“As part of our digital strategy we aim to commission more exclusive content for our digital platforms which will give us the opportunity to attract new viewers to enjoy our content.”

Over the past year S4C has also run a series of live Facebook sessions with Owen Evans, Chief Executive, Rhodri Williams, Chairman of the Unitary Board and members of the Commissioning Team.

These sessions provided an opportunity to update viewers on various aspects of S4C’s work, and for the audience to ask questions about the channel’s programmes and output.

The next Facebook Live session with the Chief Executive will be held at 6.00pm on 12 May 2021.

During the past year S4C has broadcast the Welsh Government live Conferences via Facebook. Election news, updates and results will also be available across social media platforms S4C, S4C News and Hansh Dim Sbin on May 7th.