THE first four Indigo Group Premiership rugby matches broadcast live online this season drew over 100,000 viewing sessions to S4C’s digital channels.
Despite the disruption of the pandemic on the league season, the Thursday night live Indigo Prem matches, shown on S4C Clic, YouTube and Facebook, are drawing healthy audiences.
Viewing sessions have exceeded 108,000 views over first four matches, with content being viewed for a total of 11,399 hours. Social media clips from each match have also been popular on the S4C Chwaraeon accounts, with the video of Aberavon scrum-half Rhodri Lewis’s try against Swansea being watched over 80,000 times.
Rhodri Lewis said: “It was an incredible feeling to score not only my first try for the Wizards but a try like that in the Talbot Athletic Ground and in front of the home fans.
“It’s given me a lot more confidence to express myself on the field, whether it’s with Aberavon or the Ospreys, and hopefully I can keep producing stuff like that on the regular.”
Lauren Jenkins hosts the Indigo Prem coverage with staunch Welsh club rugby supporter Phil Steele amongst the commentary team.
A host of current and former Wales internationals have provided match analysis, including Ken Owens, Sioned Harries, James Hook, Nicky Robinson and Andrew Coombs.
Lauren Jenkins said: “We’ve had some excellent contests in the Indigo Group Premiership so far this season and some outstanding tries, with Aberavon’s Rhodri Lewis’ try against Swansea one of the highlights.
“Thursday night matches mark the start of the rugby weekend and watching them under the floodlights, they do have a special feel to them. It’s been a bit of a stop-start season so far due to the pandemic, but it’s still very early days and there is so much more rugby to be enjoyed between now and the end of the season.”
Live Indigo Prem coverage continues on Thursday, February 17, with Newport v Pontypridd, which kicks off at 7.30pm.
The next set of live fixtures have also been confirmed, with Ebbw Vale v Newport being shown on Thursday, February 24, Swansea v Llandovery on Thursday, March 3, and Bridgend v Pontypridd on Thursday, March 17.
Highlights of all matches will also be shown following each weekend on the S4C YouTube channel.
