Live 8 concert, London

The main Live 8 concert was held at Hyde Park, London, England on 2 July 2005, in front of over 200,000 people. The show's logistics were managed by famed promoter Harvey Goldsmith.

Coverage

Television

The BBC provided full television coverage in the UK, starting on BBC Two from 13:00, and continuing from about 18:15 on BBC One, right up to the end of the concert at midnight. The advertised changeover time was 16:15, disappointing many who had set video recorders accordingly.

Related Topics:
BBC - BBC Two - BBC One

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The coverage was fronted by talk show host Jonathan Ross, with backstage interviews by Fearne Cotton and Jo Whiley.

Related Topics:
Jonathan Ross - Fearne Cotton - Jo Whiley

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350 complaints were made to the BBC about swearing before the 9pm watershed. The BBC apologised, however a spokesman said: "This is nothing, really. If Eastenders starts five minutes late we get close to 500 complaints"

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In the US, MTV and VH1 provided intermittent and incomplete live and taped coverage, frequently breaking away mid-song for commercials or commentary by their veejays. This decision drew criticism from some viewers who viewed the commentary as being frivolous or inane and would have preferred to see the music acts themselves. However, AOL provided a full webcast of the entire show.

Related Topics:
MTV - VH1 - AOL - Webcast

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After the criticism of viewers, both VH1 and MTV showed many highlights of the Live 8 concerts on July 9, 2005 for 5 hours each without commercial interruption.

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Radio

In the UK, there was radio coverage on BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 2 and several local radio stations.

Related Topics:
BBC Radio 1 - BBC Radio 2

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The Radio 1 coverage was anchored by Chris Moyles and Scott Mills, with interviews by Edith Bowman, Colin Murray, Sara Cox and Vernon Kay. There was alternative coverage on Radio 2, anchored by Chris Evans. Each station focussed on artists who matched the station's playlisting policy and target audience.

Related Topics:
Chris Moyles - Scott Mills - Edith Bowman - Colin Murray - Sara Cox - Vernon Kay - Chris Evans

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Commercial stations that are owned by CN Radio also relayed coverage.

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In the US, XM Satellite Radio broadcast the concert in its entirety.

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BBC Big Screens

The BBC also had live coverage on big screens across the UK.

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• England
• London - south part of Hyde Park
• Manchester - Exchange Square
• Birmingham - Chamberlain Square
• Birmingham - Cannon Hill Park
• Liverpool - Clayton Square
• Hull - Queen Victoria Square
• Leeds - Millennium Square
• Gateshead - Gateshead International Stadium
• Bournemouth - Meyrick Park
• Plymouth - Armada Way
• Wales
• Cardiff - Cooper's Field, Bute Park
• Wrexham - Queens Square
• Northern Ireland
• Belfast - Customs House Square
• Scotland
• Inverness - Caledonian Stadium
• Channel Islands
• St. Helier, Jersey - Peoples Park
• Guernsey - L'Eree

People who were watching the event in Cardiff were able to watch the event in HDTV on a 17ft wide screen; this is believed to be the first ever live public relay of HD in Europe.

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Online

AOL's music channel included a live video stream. The BBC were also streaming a radio show from the live event over the Internet via BBCi service, alongside various video clips.

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