Streaming Your Wedding: Bbc's Role And Relevance

The BBC has previously streamed royal weddings, including that of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, live on BBC iPlayer, its website, and YouTube. The BBC also waived the TV licence fee for street parties and events to screen the wedding live. Outside the UK, BBC America, BBC Canada, and BBC World News broadcast coverage.

The BBC streamed the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018

The BBC's live stream of the Royal Wedding was available on multiple platforms, including BBC iPlayer and the BBC News website. The BBC News Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram accounts also provided coverage throughout the day. Additionally, the BBC waived the TV licence fee, enabling street parties and special events to screen the wedding live without a licence.

The BBC's commentary for the Royal Wedding began early in the day, with special programmes starting at 9 am BST on BBC One and the BBC News Channel. Veteran newsreader Huw Edwards narrated the proceedings from the roof of the Windsor Guard Room, while Kirsty Young and Dermot O'Leary joined him from their viewpoint by Windsor Castle's moat. Roving reporters Ore Oduba and Alex Jones provided coverage from the crowd, mingling with the thousands of spectators lining the route to the castle.

The BBC's coverage of the Royal Wedding included cameras inside the chapel, providing identical footage to all networks. However, each network maintained its separate commentary. The BBC's live stream ensured that viewers worldwide could witness the highly anticipated unveiling of Meghan's wedding dress and enjoy all the romantic happenings of the ceremony.

The BBC waived the TV licence fee for those screening the wedding at street parties and events

The BBC waived the TV licence fee for those screening Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding at street parties and events. This meant that communities could screen the wedding live without buying a licence. Ordinarily, a venue or special event seeking to screen live TV must be covered by a TV licence, but this can be waived in exceptional circumstances.

Pipa Doubtfire, the BBC's head of revenue management, said: "In exceptional circumstances, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary viewing of television, so long as the viewing is for the sole purpose of screening an event which is judged by the BBC to be of national importance. The BBC considers that the royal wedding is such an event."

The BBC's decision allowed people to host viewing parties for the wedding without having to worry about the cost of a licence fee. It also meant that the wedding could be broadcast at events in town halls and community centres throughout the UK without charge.

The waiver applied to the screening of the wedding on 19 May 2018, with the ceremony taking place at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The BBC's coverage of the wedding was also hosted on YouTube

The BBC's decision to partner with YouTube ensured that a broader audience could witness the highly anticipated wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The event was not limited to television or online streaming but was also broadcast on radio for those who preferred to listen to the proceedings. The BBC waived the TV licence fee, enabling street parties and special events to screen the wedding live without incurring additional costs.

The wedding ceremony, held at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, attracted millions of viewers worldwide. The BBC's coverage, presented by veteran newsreader Huw Edwards and his colleagues Kirsty Young and Dermot O'Leary, provided comprehensive insights into the day's events. Their viewpoints from the Windsor Guard Room and the castle's moat offered a unique perspective as Meghan and her father, Thomas Markle, arrived outside the chapel.

In addition to the BBC's coverage, ITV and Sky News also provided live streams of the wedding, with their own presenters and angles to capture every moment. The BBC's YouTube livestream, however, offered a seamless viewing experience, with uninterrupted footage from the ceremony's beginning to end. This collaboration between the BBC and YouTube ensured that those unable to watch the event live could still experience all the magic and romance of the royal wedding at their convenience.

The BBC streamed the wedding on BBC iPlayer

The BBC provided extensive coverage of the wedding, with live streaming available on multiple platforms. The BBC iPlayer offered a convenient way for viewers in the UK to watch the wedding online for free. The BBC also waived the TV licence fee, allowing street parties and special events to screen the wedding live without a licence.

In addition to BBC iPlayer, the BBC News website streamed the wedding live. This allowed viewers to access the coverage from any device connected to the internet. The BBC also provided radio coverage, with live commentary hosted by Claire Balding on BBC Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live.

Outside of the UK, the BBC broadcast the wedding through its international channels, including BBC America, BBC Canada, and BBC World News. The BBC's comprehensive coverage ensured that people worldwide could witness the royal wedding and be a part of this historic moment.

The BBC's coverage of the wedding was also available on the BBC News website

The BBC's coverage of the wedding was presented by veteran newsreader Huw Edwards, who narrated the proceedings from the roof of the Windsor Guard Room. Kirsty Young and Dermot O'Leary joined him from their viewpoint by Windsor Castle's moat, where they had a direct line of sight to Meghan and her father Thomas Markle pulling up outside the chapel. Roving reporters Ore Oduba and Alex Jones also provided coverage from within the crowd of thousands of spectators expected to be lining the route to the castle.

BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 also covered the wedding, with live commentary from Windsor Castle. On Radio 4, Claire Balding hosted live commentary from 11:30 BST, and on Radio 5, coverage began at 10:00 BST.

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