Sports fans in Wales are “missing out on a lot” as sports programs move from terrestrial services to streaming services, wanred has reported. Addressing the Welsh Rugby Union in particular, he says it must “reopen its soul” to achieve a situation where the maximum number of people can attend games.

A report from MPs to the House of Commons select committee for Wales said that in 2022, three of the four most watched programs in Wales were sporting events, but the committee was told that games broadcast by broadcasters attract significantly lower audiences. Many sports face conflicts between generating sufficient revenue (the sale of broadcasting and media rights represents around 50% of revenue for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) and the Welsh FA) and ensuring broad access to spectators and maintaining the attractiveness of the sport. sport.

The report says the danger of pay-per-view sports coverage is that any extra injection of cash in the short term is not reflected and is offset in the long term by reduced awareness and participation in the sport. “Live sports broadcasts should aim to reach the widest possible audience, which is best achieved through free broadcasts,” he said.

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Highlights the WRU. “This is particularly true for the Welsh Rugby Union, which needs to rediscover its soul and aim to reach as many people in Wales as possible.” The committee called on the UK government to add the Six Nations to Group A of listed sporting events to ensure its status on terrestrial television. He also said that while Welsh-language commentary on international rugby matches in the autumn had been protected, Ofcom’s current code contained nothing to guarantee its continuation. This must be guaranteed, he adds.

Speaking about Welsh football, he said: “Welsh football fans are understandably concerned about the uncertainty surrounding future coverage of the Welsh men’s football playoffs, given Viaplay’s planned withdrawal from broadcasting in the UK. “This could also put S4C’s coverage of these matches at risk.” The committee said FAW must send it a letter by February 2024 with the latest communications and representations it has made to UEFA. For the latest news on Welsh politics, sign up to our newsletter here.

The report states that public service broadcasters (PSBs) must improve their digital platforms. “Accessing Welsh content on these platforms is not easy, making it difficult to view in Wales and across the UK. “We call on broadcasters to urgently develop their digital platforms to increase online personalization and ensure local Welsh programs and Welsh language content are visible and easily accessible.”

The report makes many references to the future of the Welsh channel S4C. S4C’s weekly viewing figures fell from 10 million viewers to 6.3 million between 2018-19 and 2022-23.

The UK government has announced a license fee review that “will have implications for BBC Welsh-language broadcasting and the future funding of S4C”. The committee says S4C needs certainty about its long-term funding. It states that the UK government must ensure that its review covers the protection of the Welsh language.

S4C has been funded by the license fee since April 2022, but it is unclear how it will be funded when the deal is completed in 2028. “We are concerned that the wider revolution in broadcasting leaves S4C vulnerable,” the report said. . It also raises concerns that Channel 4’s in-house launch could harm independent production companies in Wales, as well as reduce the use of the Welsh language on commercial radio.