Live 8 2005

taken from BBC Press Office. As usual the BBC is not letting us down coverage wise when it comes to a big event like Live 8 -

Jonathan Ross and Graham Norton will be spearheading the BBC line up of stars at Live 8 on 2 July 2005.

Highlighting the truly global nature of this event, our two hosts will be reporting live and direct from different sides of the Atlantic, with Jonathan stationed in the UK and Graham in the USA.

BBC Radio and Television will be bringing all the action, music and backstage news live to the UK and around the world.

There will be coverage across BBC ONE, TWO and THREE as well as BBC Radios 1, 2, BBC World Service and the Nations and Regions.

The BBC is the host broadcaster for Live 8 London, working alongside other broadcasters in Europe and America to bring this huge international event to the world.

Jana Bennett, BBC Director of Television, says: "This concert promises to be one of the defining events of our generation.

"The BBC was at the heart of Live Aid coverage in 1985 and 20 years on we are proud to be the host broadcaster of such a momentous occasion.

"The BBC will be there engaging its viewers with the issues and arguments raised as well as documenting the journey from Live Aid to Live 8."

On 2 July the BBC will be exploring the issues that have brought musicians in Europe and America to perform at Live 8 and putting them in context for viewers and listeners.

Names including Chris Evans, Davina McCall and Dermot O'Leary are already signed up to cover the event for Radio 2.

In addition giant BBC screens will be placed around the UK to bring BBC coverage of Live 8 to those unable to attend the concert or watch at home.

Presenters Graham Norton and Jonathan Ross being used - sounds good and coverage across all the BBC Network.
________________________________________________________
PLEASE MAKE POVERTY HISTORY

Enough said.

However good the cause, I WON'T be watching, thank you very much.

Good luck to them, but it isn't going to be a landmark event like live aid was.

I'm all for cancelling third world debt, but does anyone know if these countries are taking on new debt once their old debts are written off?

Jonathan Ross is becoming tiresome. I'm actually bored of his Friday Night...show now. And as for Graham Norton...he's too fast at everything!

Well, I'm looking forward to the event nonetheless. 'Live 8' is a daft name to me.

<thick>

To what does the "8" refer?

</thick>

The G8 summit which is taking place in Scotland about a week later.

I think!

I thought it was quite clever. Phonetically it is very close to Live Aid, and also ties in nicely with the G8 summit, the leaders of the nations attending are who the concert is aimed at...

I have to say, Ross and Norton both do tend to annoy me slightly, why I do not know - But really, I just can't imagine such a duo for the event.

At least there is no mention of Natasha Kaplinsky...

I wouldn't rule it out yet though, She just hasn't heard....

I think it would have been more clever to use a title that sounds nothing like Live Aid, using a simular name instantly means people will compare this even with Live Aid two decades ago.

Well done, Mr Greightnod.

I didn't dare ask, for fear of sounding like one of those ancient High Court judges who have to enquire what a penis is.