The BBC is the exclusive partner of Glastonbury and has released its plans for coverage of the festival which includes a six-week build up.
It will run from Monday 3rd June – Sunday 14th July across TV, BBC iPlayer, radio and BBC Sounds.
Highlights of the radio coverage include, BBC Radio 6 Music extending its celebrations for an extra day this year, hosting All Day Glastonbury from Wednesday 26th June – Monday 1st July.
The station air over 54 hours of live shows from Glastonbury with presenters broadcasting from the event.
On Radio 1 and Radio 1 Dance from 6pm on Thursday 27th June, Arielle Free, Danny Howard and Sarah Story will be live from Worthy Farm, building up to the BBC Radio 1 Dance Takeover on the BBC Music Introducing Stage, which will be simulcast live on the stations until 11pm.
The following evening, Arielle, Danny and Sarah are back on Radio 1 and Radio 1 Dance from 6pm, building up to the first Pyramid Stage headliner of the weekend, Dua Lipa, whose set will be broadcast on Radio 1 in a show presented live by Katie Thistleton.
DJ Target’s BBC Radio 1Xtra Takeover on Saturday will be aired on the station from 7-9pm and from 9pm on Sunday evening Radio 1 and 1Xtra will simulcast SZA’s Pyramid Stage set as part of a show presented by Nadia Jae, Chuckie and Melvin Odoom.
Zoe Ball takes her Radio 2 Breakfast Show to Glastonbury on Friday 28th June from 7-10am, with some special guests and live music from artists who will be performing over the coming days.
Dermot O’Leary chats to big name guest on the Saturday (3-6pm), before the station broadcasts Coldplay’s Pyramid Stage set that evening as part of a show presented by OJ Borg from 8pm.
On the Sunday from 5-8pm, Jo Whiley will preview and present Shania’s debut Glastonbury performance on the Pyramid Stage.
Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour will return to Glastonbury on Friday 28th June 10-11am, with Anita Rani presenting special guests, live music and exploring the women behind the event – including at the new Arrivals stage in Shangri-La – Glastonbury’s first dedicated South Asian space.
Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music says: “The BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury is one of the biggest jewels in the BBC’s pop crown and we’re evolving our programming to bring audiences many ways to enjoy the festival across our platforms – it’s their Glastonbury on the BBC.
“This year will see the debut of Glastonbury Channel II, a welcome addition to our multiple BBC iPlayer streams, giving viewers a rolling round-up of the key moments from each day.
“We’re also proud that for the second year, Pyramid Stage – Signed returns, with performances from Glastonbury’s most iconic stage in British Sign Language, bringing the Glastonbury experience closer to all viewers.
“This is in addition to over 90 hours of live performances from the five main stages on BBC iPlayer, extensive coverage on TV, 90 hours of radio broadcasts live from the festival, plus much more to discover on BBC Sounds – including Sidetracked by Glastonbury, presented by Annie Macmanus and Nick Grimshaw, which will also be available on BBC iPlayer from the first week of June.
“I would like to thank Emily and Michael Eavis once again for allowing us this exclusive access to Glastonbury, as only the BBC can bring the nation together to enjoy their unique festival.”
Emily Eavis says: “We’re incredibly proud of our ongoing partnership with the BBC and always look forward to hearing about the exciting developments in their coverage each year.
“I’d like to thank Lorna Clarke, Alison Howe and their team for celebrating our festival so brilliantly and for sharing the special spirit of Glastonbury with an audience far beyond these fields. We’re so looking forward to welcoming them back to Worthy Farm in June.”
Find out more about the BBC’s coverage of Glastonbury here.
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk