Glastonbury 2013 - Live coverage

[Zad]

I have complained for years that the BBC's coverage of Glastonbury Festival hasn't been quite as good as it could have been. They seem to have cameras there and rights approved, but somehow not enough TV time is available to do it justice. Even though they find time to cover Wimbledon from 8am to 11pm, at times on 3 channels simultaneously.

Given the streaming facilities they had (live multi-shot streaming video of the BBC6 studio for example) it seemed mad that they didn't cover the lesser stages, and give us a chance to see some "proper" live music rather than just the big names.

Well, the success (and technical experience) of showing the Olympics live on multiple streamed channels seems to have got some brains working in the BBC!

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/news/a455394/gla...

DigitalSpy said:

Glastonbury 2013 stages to be streamed by the BBC

The BBC has outlined its plans for music broadcasting in 2013.

The corporation announced plans to extensively cover music events in the UK following the digital success of its Olympics and Hackney Weekend coverage in 2012.

For the first time ever, music fans will be able to stream live from any of Glastonbury's multiple stages in June, allowing viewers to watch their favourite bands as if they were there.

The BBC will offer "the slickest and most comprehensive" mobile coverage and expect 50% of viewers to tune in on a mobile or tablet device - beating Hackney Weekend's record of 37% mobile users.

Furthermore, Radio 1 Live Lounge sessions, Radio 2 In Concert performances and music sessions from other BBC outlets will be available to stream live and on catch-up services.

"Our ambition this year is to offer music fans unprecedented coverage of live music," said Tim Davie, Acting Director General.

If they fulfil their promises then it could be a good year for music coverage on the BBC.

[droopsnoot]

Zad said:

I have complained for years that the BBC's coverage of Glastonbury Festival hasn't been quite as good as it could have been. They seem to have cameras there and rights approved, but somehow not enough TV time is available to do it justice. Even though they find time to cover Wimbledon from 8am to 11pm, at times on 3 channels simultaneously.

Interesting that others felt the same way. I was quite disappointed a few years back when The Stranglers played there for the first time ever, at some early time on the first day. Despite red button coverage for a whole twelve hours over that night, nothing. I know there's more than one stage to cover, but what we got on red button was the same two or three hours, over and over again. The cameras were there filming, but nothing was shown, and enquiries to the BBC just give a copy/paste answer.

Obviously I'm biased with it being "my" band that were left off the TV, but good to know it wasn't just me. It will be interesting to see how the 2013 coverage pans out, though I admit I'm not a big fan of most modern stuff.

[Gun]

Sounds promising, festival TV coverage was crying out for something like this.