BBC tunes in for full coverage of festival

Published on Monday 11 July 2011 17:39

Dozens of shows from big-name acts including The Office star Ricky Gervais, comedian Stephen K Amos and Peep Show's David Mitchell will be broadcast throughout the UK and beyond from Edinburgh's festivals.

The BBC has announced a full programme of daily shows, which will be broadcast from a specially-created new "pop-up venue" at Edinburgh University Students' Association's Potterrow.

As well as a number of shows being recorded for TV and radio from the venue, some of the BBC's top broadcasters, including Radio One DJ Scott Mills, will be on air live from the BBC@Potterrow stage.

The massive programme of shows is a significant shift in the BBC's approach to the festivals. It has previously been criticised for not dedicating enough resources to the world's leading arts festival.

Councillor Steve Cardownie, the city's festivals and events champion, said: "It is very good news because, in the past, the BBC have devoted many more resources to the likes of Glastonbury when they have the biggest world-renowned festivals here in Edinburgh. "It may be that the protestations and influence has been exerted on the BBC to treat the international festival and the other festivals better and to take them more seriously.

"The BBC is listened to all over the world and it will be great that, once more, we can reach new areas and that the BBC is recognising the iconic nature of the festivals."

The line-up of shows that will feature at the BBC's 'hub' near the popular Bristo Square area will be broadcast across a range of radio and TV stations.

Its events kick off on August 12 with the Radio Two Arts Show, while David Mitchell hosts Radio Four panel show The Unbelievable Truth and Stephen K Amos records his Idiot's Guide show on Radio Four on August 13.

Have I Got News For You star Paul Merton will appear alongside Nicholas Parsons on August 14 to record Radio Four's Just A Minute, while comedian Richard Herring will appear on August 15 to record his Objective show, also on Radio Four.

Scott Mills will be broadcasting his show live for a week from August 15, while other regular shows to feature throughout the fortnight up to August 27 include Radio Scotland hit shows Off The Ball, MacAulay and Co and the Festival Cafe. One of the most popular events is expected to be the appearance of Ricky Gervais and Warwick Davis on August 26 to discuss their new comedy series Life's Too Short.

Ed Bartlam, director of the Underbelly venue, said: "For the last few years people have said it would be great if the BBC would get more involved and it seems to be doing that now.

"It is heading towards the type of publicity they give things like Glastonbury."It can only do good for the festival if people sit at home and hear something about this incredible festival in Edinburgh."