- Wales’ November Tests are available for free on S4C and BBC iPlayer.
- The BBC’s radio coverage complements the Welsh language television broadcast.
- A delay in audio-visual synchronization is a minor drawback but manageable.
- This unique viewing experience might become a new favorite for Wales fans.
Free International Rugby: A Unique Viewing Experience
Richard Edwards, an avid rugby fan, shares his experience of watching Wales play the All Blacks on Welsh TV with English radio commentary. While most Autumn Internationals are behind a paywall, all four of Wales’ November Tests will be available for free across the UK through S4C and its streaming service, BBC iPlayer.
Welsh Language Broadcast Meets English Commentary
The unique setup of watching a game on Welsh TV with English radio commentary has proven to work surprisingly well. The combination of pictures from S4C and sound from BBC radio creates an engaging viewing experience that caters to both language preferences.
Historical Context and Current Availability
In the era where television rights for rugby are highly lucrative, it’s refreshing to see a return to free-to-air broadcasts. This arrangement, while slightly unconventional, provides a valuable service to Welsh speakers who want to watch their national team in action with commentary in their preferred language.
Personal Challenge: Language Barrier
Richard, despite supporting Wales since he was young and being a regular at the Principality Stadium, faces a personal challenge as he doesn’t understand Welsh. The inevitable debates about high tackles, groundings, and sin bins can be challenging to follow without proper language skills.
The Radio Fix: A Brilliant Solution
Fortunately for Richard, he’s found a brilliant solution that allows him to enjoy the game without incurring any costs. By tuning into BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra or BBC Radio Wales, which are available through BBC Sounds on his iPhone, he can match the audio with the visual experience, ensuring a seamless viewing experience.
Technical Aspects and Tips
A minor drawback of this arrangement is the slight delay in audio-visual synchronization. However, using distinctive moments such as restarts, tries, and kicks at goal as markers allows for easy adjustment to ensure both sources match up closely. This small inconvenience can be overlooked with practice.
Conclusion
A New Line-Up for Wales’ All Blacks Match
Richard is now a convert to the S4C/BBC Radio dream team and plans to use this arrangement when watching Wales play New Zealand on Saturday. While he may face some challenges, the unique viewing experience promises to be both enjoyable and educational.
To replicate Richard’s setup: Tune into BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra or BBC Radio Wales through the BBC Sounds app on your device for live commentary during Wales’ matches against other teams.
