The BBC has released details of how each of its UK regional news teams will cover the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay, starting on May 19.
Plans include a dedicated BBC Olympic Torch Relay Bus with an on-board radio studio that will tour the country, a daily local radio outside broadcasts from key locations and 14 live television specials celebrating the Torch Relay in each BBC region.
The Olympic Torch Relay route has been planned so that the Flame will come within ten miles of 95% of people in the UK, with the BBC providing extensive coverage in the build-up to this summer’s Olympic extravaganza.
Each BBC nation and region across the UK will broadcast a special half-hour show covering the day’s events in their area (dates below) when the Olympic Torch Relay passes through their region.
They will be hosted by BBC regional TV presenters and Olympians including Dame Kelly Holmes and Katharine Merry, and will be shown on BBC One at 7pm.
Regional television news bulletins will also feature comprehensive coverage of the Torch Relay each day at 6.30pm.
BBC Weather updates will show a map of the Olympic Torch relay route that will animate throughout the day, providing a detailed weather forecast for the key points, incuding the starting point, lunchtime and evening events.
The BBC Weather team will be forecasting for the route 2-3 days ahead, giving audiences the chance to plan for the moment the Torch reaches them.
There will be comprehensive coverage across a number of platforms, including BBC local radio and online.
The BBC Olympic Torch Relay Bus will be at most of the weekday evening celebrations across England, where BBC Local Radio programmes will give a live commentary on the lighting of the cauldron, interview special guests and the day’s Torchbearers and hear stories from people involved in the day’s events.
Roger Mosey, BBC’s Director of 2012, said: “Our plans for the Torch Relay, within Northern Ireland, Wales, Scotland and around England, are all about bringing the whole of the UK together to share in the Olympic story.
“At the same time we’ll be celebrating the culture and heritage of the individual nations and English regions through our extensive local output.”
Further details on the BBC’s wider coverage plans for the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay will be announced at a later date.
As host nation broadcaster for London 2012, the BBC is broadcasting a wide range of Olympic programming in 2012, including the London 2012 Festival, the Olympic Torch Relay and the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The BBC will have extensive coverage of the Games from 27 July to 12 August on television, radio, online and mobile, including live action of every sport from every venue where it’s happening throughout every day via the BBC Sport website.
For all Olympic-related programming, news, general information – Visit the BBC’s London 2012 website: CLICK HERE
