BBC Proms go virtual for 2020

2020 has seen the cancellation of many events which make the summer feel like summer. From Glastonbury festival to live footie, a lot has been put on hold. Thankfully, BBC Proms has NOT been cancelled, and instead can be enjoyed at home through multi-platform virtual event.

This new coronavirus-friendly solution of airing the Proms has been described by the BBC as: 

“Not the Proms as we know them, the Proms as we need them.” 

Celebrating 125 years since the first season of Proms, the 2020 event promises live performances as well as treasures from the archive which music-lovers can enjoy safely at home without compromising on the quality of musical talent lined up.  

When are the Proms on and how can I tune in?  

The 2020 Proms began on Friday 17th July and will close on Saturday 12th September, providing eight weeks of exceptional musical talent. You can tune into the Proms on BBC Radio 3, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer, as well as a few specials on BBC One and BBC Two.  

What’s on? 

bbc proms 2020 laura marling

 

There’s plenty of great features to choose from over the eight-week season, from live performances to old favourites and collaborations with the best musical talent around.  

From the opening night, BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting previous Proms concerts every evening for you to enjoy again or for the first time. As of Sunday 19th July, BBC Four will be broadcasting standout Proms every week, and you’ll find additional highlights waiting for you on BBC iPlayer.  

Excitingly, you can also view or listen to live performances playing from the likes of Laura Marling and many other top musicians at the Royal Albert Hall and other iconic music venues, as well as televised performances running throughout the eight weeks. 

Take a look at our list below for the full schedule of Proms highlights on TV, streaming both on demand and airing on live telly: 

 Date

 What’s On

 Where to watch

 Time

  19th July 

  Beethoveniana by Iain Farringdon

 BBC Four 

 19:00 

  19th July

  CBSO play Beethoven’s Fifth (2017)

 BBC Four 

 19:05 

 26th July 

  The John Wilson Orchestra does Broadway (2012)

 BBC Four  

 19:00 

 31st July 

  Radio 1 Ibiza Prom (2015)

 BBC Four 

 0:00 

 2nd Aug

  Chineke! Orchestra with Sheku Kanneh-Mason and
 Jeanine De Bique (2017)

 BBC Four 

 19:00 

 7th Aug 

  1Xtra Grime Symphony (2015)

 BBC Four 

 23:30 

 9th Aug

  Rattle and the NYO play Mahler’s Eighth (2002)

 BBC Four 

 19:30 

 16th Aug

  Barenboim and the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra (2016)

 BBC Four 

 20:00 

 21st Aug

  Angélique Kidjo (2019)

 BBC Four 

 23:55 

 23rd Aug

 Simon Bolivar National Youth Orchestra of Venezuela (2007)

 BBC Four 

 19:25 

 28th Aug

 Beethoven’s ‘Eroica’ Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Two
 BBC Radio 3 

 20:00 
 19:30 

 29th Aug

 The Symphonic Organ Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 30th Aug

 Rattle conducts the LSO Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC Four 

 20:00 

 31st Aug

 Viennese Night Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 1st Sept 

 London Sinfonietta Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 11:45 

 2nd Sept 

 Proms at ... Salford Quays Live

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 3rd Sept

 Playing doubles: Benedetti, Ibragimova and the
 OAE perform concertos for two violins Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC Four 

 19:30 
 20:00 

 4th Sept

 Anoushka Shankar: New Explorations Live at
 Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC Four 

 19:30 
 20:00 

 5th Sept

 Proms at ... City Halls, Glasgow

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 6th Sept 

 Laura Marling and 12 Ensemble Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC Four 

 19:30 
 20:00 

 7th Sept

 Live performance at Royal Albert Hall (TBC)

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 8th Sept

 Proms at ... Hoddinott Hall, Cardiff

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 9th Sept

 Esa-Pekka Salonen conducts the Philharmonia Orchestra

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC iPlayer 

 19:30 

 10th Sept 

 Beethoven from Memory

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC Four 

 19:30 
 20:00 

 11th Sept 

 Sheku Kanneh-Mason and Isata Kanneh-Mason

 BBC Four 

 19:30 

 12th Sept 

 Last Night of the Proms Live at Royal Albert Hall

 BBC Radio 3 
 BBC One 

 20:00

 

As well as this exceptional showreel, there’s tons more musical treats airing on BBC Radio 3.  For a full list of what’s on, check out the BBC programme guide. If you’ve missed something you can always catch up over on BBC iPlayer.  

To stay up to date with the BBC Proms, bookmark this article and keep checking back. For more scoops on the best telly and entertainment coming up soon, sign up for our newsletter for email updates and our top recommendations.