A new episode of the BBC's Planet Earth series will be shown

Premieres of shows such as the BBC's Planet Earth and Sky's Love Spring International are usually reserved for leading industry executives.

But organisers of the Edinburgh International Television Festival confirmed the shows would be shown in the city's Conference Square.

The screenings will be held during the event, which runs from 25 to 27 August.

The chance to experience the very best of the world's television, all before wider TV audiences get an opportunity to see the new season's schedule, should prove a terrific addition to Edinburgh this August Dawn Airey MGEITF

It is understood the giant screen will resemble those used in England and Germany to show World Cup football matches.

Dawn Airey, executive chairman of the festival and managing director of Sky Networks, said: "The expansion of the festival to include the wider public is an exciting development and long overdue.

"The chance to experience the very best of the world's television, all before wider TV audiences get an opportunity to see the new season's schedule, should prove a terrific addition to Edinburgh this August.

"Visitors can expect to see the 24, Lost or Desperate Housewives of tomorrow well in advance of the rest of the UK."

So far the line-up includes two mornings of dedicated children's content including the hit Disney Channel movie High School Musical.