30 May 2012: BBC Worldwide Channels today announced that its coverage of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations will air on the BBC channels across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Latin America, India, Africa, Europe and the Middle East. The live coverage will be taken directly from BBC ONE in the UK, bringing global audiences the top British presenters, experts and top music talent to its coverage. The celebrations will also be available via the BBC Global iPlayer in selected markets.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations lead the London Calling season, an ambitious global television event which will run for two months and features a fantastic line up of exclusive dramas, comedies and documentaries that celebrate the wonderful city that is London. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, along with three-part documentary The Diamond Queen, will also be available as part of BBC AMERICA’s Summer of London season.
Jana Bennett, President Worldwide Networks and Global BBC iPlayer said: “I am delighted that we are able to deliver this truly British affair under a British brand to viewers all around the World. These joined-up broadcasts unite our viewers around the world and make them feel part of the celebrations from the comfort of their own home”.
More details on the comprehensive live coverage have also been revealed:
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Thames Pageant- 3 June 2012
A massive four-and-a-half hour broadcast spanning the pageant route and more, the broadcast will follow the 1000 boats from the UK and the Commonwealth accompanying The Queen along the River Thames.
Unprecedented eight-camera coverage on the specially converted Royal Barge means the BBC will be able to capture the reactions of the Royal Family on this momentous occasion.
Coverage will be led by Matt Baker and Sophie Raworth from their special studio at the historic former Thames fish market Old Billingsgate, looking right over the river and the climax point of the flotilla at Tower Bridge.
Clare Balding will be aboard the Royal Row Barge The Gloriana, which will lead the rowing section, rowed by 18 oarsmen including ex-servicemen, Olympic Gold Medallists and Thames watermen.
A surprise celebrity guest has been learning the art of bell ringing and will be on board the specially built belfry that will lead the entire flotilla. Its peeling bells will ring out and be answered by churches along the river.
On board the BBC’s exclusive presentation boat, The Zephyr, right at the heart of the Pageant will be comedians Frank Skinner, Griff Rhys Jones, Omid Djalili and Sandi Toksvig providing an alternative and amusing reflection on the pageant as it takes place.
Ben Fogle (Year of Adventures) will row a Triple Skiff with some friends and give us an insight into what it’s like to take part in the man-powered section, at the front of the pageant.
John Sergeant will be at Westminster Bridge with John Major, Richard E Grant and others taking a political, literary and satirical look at the Thames’s place in our culture and history. Richard E Grant will read the famous Wordsworth poem On Westminster Bridge.
The BBC will also be aboard one of the music boats, the “Symphony”, which has a full symphony orchestra and choir aboard. They will perform the musical finale, being the last boat in the flotilla.
In Asia, the live telecast of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Thames Pageant will air on BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment on 3 June starting at 8.30pm.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Concert- 4 June 2012
The BBC and Gary Barlow are bringing together a galaxy of great musicians from the last 60 years of rock, pop and classical music, on a stunning stage built around The Queen Victoria Memorial, right in front of Buckingham Palace.
Along with The BBC Concert Orchestra, artists taking part include Shirley Bassey, Alfie Boe, Cheryl Cole, Renée Fleming, Jools Holland, Jessie J, JLS, Elton John, Grace Jones, Tom Jones, Lang Lang, Annie Lennox, Madness, Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Cliff Richard, Ed Sheeran, will.i.am, Robbie Williams and Stevie Wonder.
The concert concludes with HM The Queen lightning The National Beacon.
In Asia, the live telecast of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Concert will air on BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment on Tuesday 5 June starting at 2.30am. It will repeat that evening at 10.50pm.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Service of Thanksgiving and Royal Procession
The final day of the Diamond Jubilee weekend, Tuesday 5 June, is a State Occasion and will be marked by a National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, attended by The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh together with other members of the Royal Family.
Commentary from St Paul’s will be provided by James Naughtie. Sophie Raworth will be reporting from St Paul’s; Fiona Bruce will be at the Palace of Westminster; and Chris Hollins and Sonali Shah will be in The Mall. Clare Balding will be at the Knightsbridge Barracks meeting new trainees of the Household Cavalry who have been learning to ride in time for this historical day.
Following a reception at Mansion House and a Diamond Jubilee lunch in the Palace of Westminster, the route from there to Buckingham Palace will be lined by thousands of well-wishers as The Queen and other senior members of the Royal Family travel in a formal carriage procession. The King’s Troop RHA pays tribute with a 60 gun salute from Horse Guards Parade.
The Royal Family will appear on the balcony to and watch the RAF fly past and a Feu de Joie – a cascade of rifle fire by The Queen’s Guard.
In Asia, the live telecast of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee: Service of Thanksgiving and Royal Procession will air on BBC Knowledge and BBC Entertainment on Tuesday 5 June at starting at 4.15pm. It will break for 30 minutes at 8pm and resume at 8.30pm following the Diamond Jubilee lunch at the Palace of Westminster.
The London Calling season will be supported off air through www.londoncallingbbc.com- an engaging digital destination based on an interactive map of London. Through the site viewers can explore the city online, take on challenges, solve clues and play quizzes to unlock codes to win prizes such as iPads and a trip to London2. The site will also host comprehensive information and schedules for the superlative programming line-up.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Jeanne Leong
Communications, BBC Worldwide Channels
Tel: +65 6849 5292
Email: Jeanne.Leong@bbc.coom
Notes to Editors:
1. London Calling will air between June and August on BBC Entertainment (Africa, Poland, the Nordic Region, Asia, India, Latin America and the channel’s pan-European service3), BBC Knowledge (Africa, Poland, the Nordic Region, Italy, Asia and Australia), BBC HD (Latin America, Poland, The Nordic region and Turkey), UKTV (Australia and New Zealand) and BBC World News (global). The season will also be available to users of BBC.com and to users of the global BBC iPlayer but will vary territory by territory.
2. Prizes vary per territory
3. BBC Entertainment’s pan-European service covers Central and Eastern Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Israel and a number of Western European markets
BBC Worldwide Channels is one of five core BBC Worldwide businesses. Formed in 2005, the business’ diverse portfolio of channel brands provides a global showcase for the best mix of British TV across factual, entertainment, children’s and lifestyle programming. The company is the UK’s leading international broadcaster, operating a network of localised channels that reach over 300 million homes in more than 100 countries around the world.