The BBC presenter Jamz Supernova expresses her pride in the festival coverage, stating, “Only a small number of people get to experience Glastonbury in person, so it’s rewarding to bring it into homes across the UK. Whether you dream of attending or prefer to enjoy it from afar, we make it accessible.”
As a DJ on BBC Radio 6 Music, also known as Jamilla Walters, she is part of a dedicated team working to share the 2025 Glastonbury Festival through television, radio, and online platforms. Alongside other well-known broadcasters like Dermot O’Leary, Greg James, Jo Whiley, Lauren Laverne, Nick Grimshaw, and Zoe Ball, she will showcase the event through various mediums, including BBC iPlayer.
The BBC iPlayer plans to stream over 90 hours of performances, covering live shows from five major stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies, and the Park. Notably, the Pyramid stage performances will be available in ultra-high definition and include British Sign Language for accessibility.
Reflecting on her own experiences, Supernova recalls, “When I was 19, I loved watching artists like Janelle Monáe perform, but it wasn’t interactive. With iPlayer, everything is live, and you can curate your own festival experience. There’s truly something for everyone.”
The immense task of broadcasting the festival is led by Alison Howe, executive producer at BBC Studios. She oversees an operation involving over 90 artists and more than 90 hours of coverage, utilizing 58 cameras and 50 kilometers of fiber optic cable—a project months in the making.
“The logistics of covering the performances is both a challenge and a joy,” Howe remarks. “Some artists want a very personal touch in how we present their performances, while others trust us to make them look and sound great on air.”
Jonathan Rothery, head of pop music TV at the BBC, partners with Howe to curate the festival experience. He admits he is still amazed by the scale of the operations: “Just seeing the extensive cabling throughout the site was mind-blowing for someone like me with no technical background.”
This year, the team faces challenges regarding the lineup, particularly with the inclusion of Kneecap, a group with political controversies surrounding them. Rothery notes, “We aim to present as many performances as possible while adhering to our editorial guidelines, ensuring that all artists fit within appropriate standards for our audience.”
Howe and Rothery collaborate closely with festival organizers, including Emily Eavis, well in advance of the festival, enabling them to tailor their coverage around the extensive lineup. “The live streams are incredibly useful for anyone wanting to customize their Glastonbury experience,” Rothery says.
The team strives to ensure that live performances are accurately represented on-screen. Howe explains, “We work with artists on-site to discuss their needs, as no one gets a sound check at festivals—there’s a lot riding on these performances.”
Supernova recommends standout acts for the weekend, including Alanis Morissette on the Pyramid stage and Ezra Collective on the Other stage. Her respect for the festival’s complexity has grown as she sees it from behind the scenes, stating, “I’m amazed at how all the pieces come together. Now, I feel like I’m part of the team that brings this event to life; it’s like my mission.”
The BBC will continue to cover this year’s Glastonbury Festival across TV, BBC iPlayer, radio, and BBC Sounds.
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