With coverage starting earlier than ever, with more coverage across more channels and live streams, plus UHD for the first time, Glastonbury returns for the first time since 2019.
The festival at Worthy Farm in Somerset runs from Wednesday 22nd to Sunday 26th June, with the main music event taking place between Friday and Sunday.
Lorna Clarke, BBC Director of Music, has promised viewers and listeners the BBC’s “most extensive” coverage. There will be over 35 hours of coverage on the main TV channels, plus 40 hours on iPlayer. Radio and BBC Sounds coverage will total 60 hours.
What’s on each TV channel?
BBC One
BBC One will cover performances from Sir Paul McCartney (Saturday evening) and Diana Ross (Sunday teatime) live.
Before then, The One Show will be live from Worthy Farm on Friday evening.
BBC Two
BBC Two will have live coverage of Billie Eilish’s performance on Friday evening. Also featuring on the channel will be Kendrick Lamar, who is headlining the Pyramid Stage on the Sunday night. Other artists whose performances will be shown on BBC Two across the weekend include Elbow, Jessie Ware, Joy Crookes, Lorde, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Sam Fender and Years & Years.
After the event, BBC Two will screen a highlights programme, with the best of the weekend’s performances.
BBC Three
The newly returned TV channel features performances from groups and artists including Charli XCX, Declan McKenna, Glass Animals, Little Simz, YUNGBLUD.
BBC Four
BBC Four will provide highlights and live footage throughout the weekend. Artists featured on the channel include Angélique Kidjo, Arlo Parks, Celeste, Kacey Musgraves, Pet Shop Boys and Robert Plant & Alison Krauss.
BBC iPlayer, BBC Red Button
For the first time, BBC iPlayer’s dedicated Glastonbury channel will be live from Thursday to Sunday, guiding viewers through the enormous amount of performances taking place at Worthy Farm. The channel will feature the biggest sets from the Pyramid, Other, West Holts, John Peel and Park Stages.
Selected coverage will be available in UHD and HDR through the iPlayer for the first time.
Sky, Virgin Media and Freesat users will be able to access extra coverage in HD and SD through an expanded Red Button service. Freeview Play, YouView, Virgin TV360 and Sky Q users will be able to access extra coverage through the iPlayer by pressing red on their remotes.
Full schedules for Glastonbury will be released shortly.
On the radio / BBC Sounds
BBC Radio 6 Music will be the Glastonbury’s main audio home, with coverage starting on Wednesday 22nd June.
Additionally, Radio 1 and Radio 1 Dance will have coverage starting Thursday. BBC Radio 1 Dance is the BBC’s online only dance music station. Its output will be simulcast on BBC Radio Somerset’s DAB signal during Glastonbury.
Radio 1Xtra has special coverage on Saturday and Sunday night, including Kendrick Lamar live on the Pyramid Stage.
Meanwhile, BBC Radio 2 will have coverage from Friday to Sunday, including Zoe Ball’s Breakfast show on Friday and live coverage on Saturday evening – including Paul McCartney. Then on Sunday night, coverage includes highlights of Diana Ross’ teatime slot.
Who is presenting Glastonbury coverage on the BBC?
In alphabetical order:
- AFRODEUTSCHE,
- Cerys Matthews,
- Clara Amfo,
- Danny Howard,
- Dermot O’Leary,
- DJ Target,
- Huw Stephens,
- Jack Saunders,
- Jaguar,
- Jamz Supernova,
- Jo Whiley,
- Lauren Laverne,
- Matt Everitt,
- Sian Eleri,
- Steve Lamacq,
- Tiffany Calver,
- Tom Ravenscroft,
- Vick Hope
- Zoe Ball.