BBC is to celebrate the Great Exhibition of the North with a series of programmes.
When it launches, on 22nd June, BBC Breakfast will relocate to a specially constructed studio overlooking the River Tyne. The studio will later be taken over by BBC Look North and BBC Newcastle for their coverage. BBC Arts Digital will use the location to broadcast live interviews from key performers.
On the Saturday, BBC Radio 4 Today will also be co-presented from the North East, with Mishal Husain in Newcastle Gateshead.
BBC Two will be airing a special documentary by BBC Arts previewing the summer-long festival. BBC One in the North East regions will be broadcasting a half hour documentary, narrated by Jill Halfpenny, following the teams as they prepared for the grand opening.
Lauren Laverne will host a 6 Music show from the Sage Gateshead, while beginning on 12th July, BBC Radio 4 will celebrate the “power of northern music, film, design and visual arts” in a new four-part series.
The grand opening itself will be streamed live, through a collaboration between BBC Arts, BBC Live, BBC Research & Development, BBC North East and the NewcastleGateshead Initiative.
“The Great Exhibition of the North is shaping up to be a wonderful celebration for the north of England and the BBC is committed to showcasing activities in NewcastleGateshead, and beyond, this summer,” said Alice Webb, director of BBC North.
“With coverage available on TV, radio and online, we will capture the spirit and excitement of the Great Exhibition of the North, making it available to a wider audience in the UK and further afield.”
