BBC One and BBC iPlayer will broadcast headline performances and highlights from the 2026 Reading and Leeds Festival from 28 August to 30 August. The television output includes four special shows on BBC One featuring sets from Fontaines D.C., RAYE, and Chase & Status. These specific performances air at 10.40pm on Friday, 11pm on Saturday, and 11.40pm on Sunday respectively.
Coverage on BBC iPlayer begins Friday 28 August at 3.30pm with archive footage of the Arctic Monkeys 2022 set. Live transmissions from the site start at 6pm on Friday, presented by Sian Eleri and Jack Saunders. On Saturday and Sunday, the BBC iPlayer window runs from 6pm to 11.30pm. This window covers headline sets from Charli xcx, Fontaines D.C., Dave, RAYE, Florence + The Machine, and Chase & Status.
A wrap show titled Reading Festival Highlights 2026 is scheduled for BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Wednesday 2 September at 10.40pm. Audio coverage is provided via BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6 Music, and BBC Sounds. BBC Radio 1 will broadcast live from the site between 10am and 4pm on Friday and between 11am and 4pm on Saturday and Sunday.
The BBC will make performance clips and highlight tracks available on demand via BBC iPlayer for 30 days after the event. Selected tracks will also be uploaded to the BBC Music YouTube channel. The television and digital distribution is managed by BBC Music.