BBC Proms 2011 Press Office home page

BBC Proms on TV

Selected concerts are available across BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and BBC HD with BBC Two and BBC HD maintaining a schedule of weekly Proms on Saturdays. All TV broadcasts are available for seven days after broadcast via bbc.co.uk/proms.

In 2010 the BBC Proms had a TV reach of 18 million and the 2011 season coverage aims to build on the new initiatives that were introduced, with context and presentation focusing on the musicians themselves and the stories behind the music. Katie Derham is the face of the Proms on BBC Two for the second year and the BBC Four Proms will be led on screen by Charles Hazlewood, Suzy Klein and Petroc Trelawny.

Broadcasts feature direct engagement with orchestral players during intervals and orchestral breaks.

BBC Four captures the special atmosphere of four Late Night Proms for the first time, across a wide range of genres, featuring leading soloists and chamber groups. Performances include Nigel Kennedy with a solo Bach recital, Canadian pianist Angela Hewitt playing solo Brahms and Schumann with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, folk musician Kathryn Tickell with the Northern Sinfonia, and the Spaghetti Western Orchestra which will recreate the Morricone soundtracks to classic “spaghetti westerns” with audience participation.

BBC Four also broadcasts the Human Planet Prom with Charles Hazlewood conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra. This unique event celebrates the music from the TV series composed by Nitin Sawhney and brings to the Proms groups which performed on BBC Radio 3's accompanying Music Planet series. The Proms focus on choral music is reflected with broadcasts of Verdi's Requiem and Beethoven's Missa solemnis.

BBC Two broadcasts the First Night of the Proms as well as eagerly-anticipated performances by John Wilson and his Orchestra, the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela conducted by Gustavo Dudamel and the first ever Comedy Prom with host Tim Minchin.

Both BBC Two and BBC Four feature the bicentenary of Liszt, including his piano concertos and symphonies. There will also be TV coverage of some of the Mahler performances to mark the centenary of his death.

The first part of the Last Night of the Proms (featuring pianist Lang Lang and British soprano Susan Bullock as soloists) is live on BBC Two and BBC HD and the second part is live on BBC One and BBC HD. Viewers will also be able to enjoy Last Night celebrations from around the UK via the red button.

Throughout the BBC Proms, viewers will be able to enjoy enhanced coverage through technical innovations such as the Maestro Cam and Solo Cam along with expert audio commentary, plus Player Com available for selected Proms via the red button.

BBC TV listings