BBC coverage from the music festival’s Pyramid Stage will be available in UHD & HDR for the first time.
Selected performances from Friday 24th to Sunday 26th June will be screened in UHD for all viewers with devices that support the BBC’s UHD service.
The UHD coverage is part of the BBC iPlayer’s Glastonbury coverage, which includes a dedicated channel that will be live from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th June 2022. The channel will feature the biggest sets from the Pyramid, Other, West Holts, John Peel and Park Stages. From Friday 24th, each day’s coverage will start with a new daily live programme, previewing the day ahead and rounding-up the action so far.
How to watch BBC UHD coverage of Glastonbury
Viewers with any compatible connected Freeview, Virgin Media, YouView or Freesat device can access the BBC UHD coverage. Coverage is provided through the iPlayer.
- The BBC has a full list of compatible devices, including smart TV models, on its website.
- User reports also indicate Sky Glass can access BBC iPlayer UHD streams. However, at the time of publication, it’s not listed as officially supported on the BBC website. And the newest Sky Q boxes have also begun to show UHD programmes on iPlayer.
On compatible devices, you will be able to navigate to the BBC iPlayer’s coverage in both HD and UHD by pressing red on BBC TV channels. This will take you through to the relevant section of the iPlayer.
Non-compatible devices that have the iPlayer app can access HD coverage.
Minimum broadband connection requirements
Availability of UHD quality images is dependant on bandwidth. Users on slower internet connections will see a lower quality image.
The BBC says you’ll need an internet connection of 24MBit/s for the full 3840 pixel Ultra HD experience. But a speed of 12MBit/s is enough for 2560 pixel Ultra HD.
Older and non-connected devices
Other devices will still have access to the extra coverage in SD or HD. Live performances will be available on BBC One, Two, Three and Four.
But older and non-connected devices can access extra BBC Glastonbury coverage through the traditional BBC Red Button service. The BBC Red Button live stream is on Freeview channel 601, Freesat channel 981, Sky UK channel 981 and Virgin Media UK 991.
On Sky and Freesat, BBC Red Button is expanding to offer an HD simulcast of the main Red Button channel. It will go live shortly before the start of Glastonbury.
On-demand UHD BBC Glastonbury coverage
Over 90 sets and key tracks from the five filmed stages will be available to watch on demand. These will be available throughout the weekend and for 30 days after broadcast. This includes the selected Pyramid Stage performances in Ultra High Definition.
HDR
The BBC uses the Hybrid Log-Gamma version of HDR it invented with Japanese broadcaster NHK. This provides improved picture quality on Ultra HD HDR devices and the vast majority of Standard Dynamic Range devices too.
The BBC Glastonbury Channel on BBC iPlayer is part of the broadcaster’s wider plans to cover this year’s event. It’s the first ‘normal’ Glastonbury since 2019. BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three and Four will all show different aspects of coverage. Headliners this year include Diana Ross (performing in the “Legends” slot), Kendrick Lamar, Billie Eilish and Paul McCartney.
Iain Hatton, RXTV features writer
Last updated 10:52