Bradford 2025 will feature special BBC Countryfile

The BBC has announced that it will broadcast a series of events from Bradford during its year as UK City of Culture in 2025.

The program will include a Countryfile special, a Bitesize schools tour and the Contains Strong Language poetry festival. The city will also host the New Comedy Awards.

BBC Director General Tim Davie confirmed the program at a launch event at the newly opened One City Park on Friday and announced that the BBC will be Bradford 2025’s official broadcast partner.

Mr Davie told the audience he was looking forward to showcasing the district’s creativity.

“Outstanding City”

He said: “Bradford is home to vibrant, authentic storytelling and proud multicultural communities.

“We will draw on this rich history to bring people together through the joy and celebration of the arts, poetry, film, comedy and much, much more.

“It’s a huge honor to be part of a legacy that will no doubt attract thousands of tourists and millions of pounds of investment to this extraordinary city.”

The Bitesize tour and a live BBC Teach lesson will visit schools in Britain’s youngest city, where more than a quarter of residents are under 18, while the Countryfile program will highlight rural areas in the wider Bradford district.

An episode of Bargain Hunt will also be filmed on location in Bradford.

Bradford 2025 creative director Shanaz Gulzar said: “The UK City of Culture is putting all eyes on this incredible region and with the support of the BBC we’re showing what a fantastic place it is.

“This is just a taste of what’s to come and a sign of the network’s commitment to Bradford, showcasing its people and the district to the UK and the world.”

Extended coverage

The partnership will deliver local and national television, radio and online coverage, with content also available on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds.

The BBC has also commissioned bespoke content to mark Bradford 2025.

BBC Four literary classics series The Read will focus on Emily Bronte, who was born in Bradford and grew up in nearby Haworth. A special episode will see Bradford actress Vinette Robinson, who starred in Sherlock and Black Mirror, reading Bronte’s novel Wuthering Heights.

A second episode of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is to be filmed in Bradford.

The audio output includes an edition of BBC Radio 4’s Front Row, presented by Nick Ahad, which will be broadcast in January 2025 and will feature some of the artists taking part in City of Culture.

The BBC’s Young Reporter Festival will be live in Bradford. Experienced industry figures will meet young people aged 11 to 18 and guide them towards media careers.

Visit the BBC Bradford 2025 Home Page for news and updates about the City of Culture.

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