The BBC is significantly reducing its presence at Edinburgh’s summer festivals, marking a major shift in its long-standing coverage of the world’s largest arts celebration.
The broadcaster has confirmed it will no longer operate its flagship pop-up venue, which has been a staple of the Edinburgh festivals for 14 years.
Instead, the BBC will host just five days of events, from 4 to 8 August, partnering with venues including the Pleasance Courtyard and Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
These events will include ticketed live recordings and broadcasts for BBC Radio Edinburgh and BBC Radio 4 audiences.
The decision comes as part of a broader reassessment of BBC Scotland’s arts output, just months into the tenure of new director Hayley Valentine.
The scaling back reflects wider budgetary pressures and an effort to “deliver value for money”, according to BBC representatives.
Despite the cutbacks, the Edinburgh Unlocked highlights programme, hosted by stand-up comedian Mark Nelson, will return on the BBC Scotland channel, offering viewers backstage access to the Fringe and wider festivals.
Since its inception in 2011, the BBC’s pop-up venue has played host to more than 100 shows over two weeks each summer, broadcasting across platforms including BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, and Radio Scotland. Past festivals drew thousands of daily visitors to the venue at Dynamic Earth and featured an impressive roster of cultural figures.
Among the many special guests were actors Brian Cox, Miriam Margolyes, and Jack Docherty; authors Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, and Denise Mina; and musical talents like Kyle Falconer and Tom Robinson. The pop-up also welcomed major comedians including Frank Skinner, Susie McCabe, and Paul Merton over the years.
The BBC’s move has raised eyebrows in arts and cultural circles, coming on the heels of other contentious programming decisions in Scotland.
These include the cancellation of specialist music shows on Radio Scotland, the axing of flagship news programme The Nine, and the announcement that long-running soap River City will end in 2026.
The BBC said the decision to end River City was based on cost concerns, stating the show was no longer offering “value for money”. The move sparked public outcry, with over 12,000 people signing a petition and politicians joining protests outside Holyrood.
In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “The BBC will return to the Edinburgh festivals with shows coming from the EICC and the Pleasance Courtyard between 4–8 August. Our coverage will include live broadcasts, audience events, and Edinburgh Unlocked.”
“Despite financial constraints, we remain committed to showcasing Scotland’s vibrant arts and culture across all platforms, in both English and Gaelic, throughout the year.”
While the BBC insists its commitment to Scottish arts remains strong, this year’s downsized presence at the Edinburgh festivals signals a notable shift in priorities at a time of ongoing scrutiny over public service broadcasting in Scotland.
