Us Viewers' Guide To The Royal Wedding

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle in 2018 was a highly anticipated event, with many Americans keen to tune in and watch. The couple's nuptials were broadcast on several major TV networks in the US, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox News, and HBO, with coverage starting as early as 4 am ET. For those who wanted to stream the wedding online, it was available on various websites, such as Hulu, People.com, BBC, and The New York Times. Additionally, cinema screenings of the ceremony were held across the country, and for those who just wanted to listen, the audio was broadcast on BBC Radio 1 in the UK and later made available on Spotify and Apple Music.

Watch the wedding on TV

Watching the royal wedding on TV is a great option for those who want to catch all the action without having to leave the comfort of their homes. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you plan your viewing experience:

Timing is Everything

The wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle took place on Saturday, May 19, at 12 pm GMT (7 am EST/4 am PST). The ceremony itself lasted about an hour, but coverage by major networks and news channels started much earlier, with some beginning their broadcasts as early as 4 am or 5 am EST to capture the build-up and the arrival of guests. So, if you're planning to watch a replay of this historic event, make sure to mark your calendars and set your alarms!

Choose Your Channel

Several US TV networks provided live coverage of the royal wedding, each offering a unique viewing experience. Here are some options to consider:

• ABC: ABC kicked off its wedding watch at 5 am ET, offering an "augmented reality" experience through its ABC News iOS app. This allowed viewers to photograph themselves next to a royal carriage and the Queen's Guard as if they were part of the festivities.
• CBS: CBS started its coverage at 4 am ET and had special correspondents like writer Tina Brown, author of "The Diana Chronicles," providing insights into the life of Princess Diana, Prince Harry's mother.
• NBC: NBC had an exclusive location overlooking Windsor Castle, where Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb co-anchored their coverage starting at 4:30 am ET. They offered a unique perspective of the grand venue and its surroundings.
• PBS: PBS broadcast the BBC's coverage, starting at 4 am ET, providing a similar viewing experience to that of the British audience.
• BBC America: For those seeking an even more authentic British experience, BBC America simulcasted BBC One's coverage, also starting at 4 am ET. This included a full slate of specials documenting past royal marriages and coronations.
• HBO: For a touch of comedy, HBO provided coverage with a twist. Starting at 7:30 am ET, Will Ferrell and Molly Shannon, as their characters Cord and Tish, provided hilarious commentary on the royal wedding.
• Fox News: Fox News also offered coverage of the event, with "Fox & Friends" co-host Ainsley Earhardt reporting live from the scene starting at 5 am ET.

Plan Your Viewing Experience

Watching the royal wedding on TV gives you the flexibility to create your own viewing experience. You can choose to watch it alone, with family and friends, or even host a royal wedding-themed party. Don't forget to prepare some British-inspired snacks and drinks to enjoy during the broadcast!

In conclusion, watching the royal wedding on TV offers a convenient and engaging way to witness this historic event. With a variety of channels providing unique coverage, you can choose the one that best suits your preferences and create a memorable viewing experience from the comfort of your home. So, mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready to celebrate this grand occasion!

Stream the wedding online

Streaming the Royal Wedding online is a great option for those who want to watch the ceremony without a TV. In the US, there are several ways to do this.

First, you can head to any major news network's website. CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, BBC America, Fox News, and HBO will all be streaming the wedding on their respective websites. In addition, you can stream the wedding on mobile apps for all of the networks listed above.

If you're looking for a British perspective on the wedding, you can stream BBC America's simulcast of BBC One's coverage. This will give you a firsthand perspective on the ceremony and how it reflects British history and society.

For those who want a more interactive experience, ABC News has introduced an "augmented reality" feature on their iOS app, allowing users to take pictures of themselves next to the royal carriage and the Queen's Guard.

For those who are more interested in the audio experience, the wedding will also be available to listen to on the radio and streaming platforms. BBC Radio 1 in the UK will have live coverage, and Decca Records will be recording the show to produce an album available on Spotify and Apple Music just hours after the ceremony concludes.

So, whether you're streaming on a laptop, phone, or tablet, there are plenty of options to choose from to ensure you don't miss a moment of the Royal Wedding!

Watch the British coverage

If you're looking for a British take on the royal wedding, you're in luck! Several US networks will be simulcasting British coverage of the event. Here's what you need to do to watch the British coverage of the royal wedding in the US:

Tune in to BBC America: BBC America will be simulcasting the BBC One coverage from Britain, beginning at 4 am Eastern Time. This will give you a firsthand perspective on the ceremony and how it reflects ancient and modern British history and society. If you want to get even more context, BBC America is also airing a full slate of specials all week, documenting past royal marriages and coronations. So, if you're looking for a British perspective, be sure to tune in to BBC America.

Stream it on BritBox: If you're a true Anglophile, you may want to consider streaming the wedding on BritBox. This streaming service specialises in British content and will be streaming the wedding live. They also have other wedding-adjacent and royal-adjacent content that you can check out. So, if you want a more British-focused experience, BritBox is a great option.

Check your local cinema: If you don't have cable or prefer a communal viewing experience, you can check your local cinema. Fathom Events and BritBox are teaming up to present a commercial-free replay of the wedding in select cinemas starting mid-morning on the day of the wedding. It won't be live, but you'll still get to experience the wedding with a crowd.

So, if you're looking for a British take on the royal wedding, be sure to tune in to BBC America, stream it on BritBox, or check your local cinema for a replay of the event. That way, you can experience the wedding through a British lens and get all the context and commentary you need to understand this important event in British history and society.

Watch with a crowd

If you want to watch the royal wedding with a crowd, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, check your local cinema listings, as Fathom Events and BritBox are partnering to present a commercial-free replay of the wedding in select cinemas across the country. This won't be a live broadcast, but it will offer a communal viewing experience.

If you want to watch the wedding live with a crowd, you can check for local viewing parties. Many cities will also set up public screens in parks and other public spaces, so keep an eye out for those.

If you want to host your own viewing party, you can do so easily. In the UK, the BBC is waiving the television licence requirement for the broadcast, so you can set up a street party or local gathering without worrying about legal repercussions. You can also stream the wedding online and project it onto a large screen for your guests.

Listen to the wedding

If you're in the US and you're more of an auditory person, you can, of course, listen to the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on the radio. BBC Radio 1 will be providing coverage in the UK, but if you're in the US, you can also listen to the service on Spotify or Apple Music just hours after the ceremony. Decca Records will be recording the whole show and releasing it as a soundtrack album, which will be available on streaming services from 25 May 2018.

If you're an early bird, you can listen to the ceremony live on BBC Radio 1 in the UK or on one of the many TV channels broadcasting the wedding, such as CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS, BBC America, Fox News, and HBO. Coverage will begin as early as 4 am EST, with the ceremony starting at 7 am EST.

If you're not a morning person, don't worry! You can always stream the wedding later in the day on Hulu, People.com, or the BBC, New York Times, and other various news organisation apps. That way, you can listen to the wedding at your leisure and still soak up all the pageantry.

So, whether you're tuning in live with your morning coffee or streaming it later in the day, there are plenty of ways to listen to the royal wedding in the US and join in the celebration.

Frequently asked questions