- Plan ahead to make the most of one of the busiest nights of the year
- Those without a ticket should avoid the event area
The Mayor, Sadiq Khan, has today welcomed the news that the BBC will be giving viewers at home and around the world a 360o panoramic view of the spectacular London New Year’s Eve fireworks display for the first time ever.
All 110,000 tickets for the event have sold out and thanks to the BBC, viewers will have the chance to see the internationally-renowned display live, in awe-inspiring 360o online.
Millions around the UK tune in to watch the display live on BBC One every year. This year the viewer experience will be enhanced with a full panorama of the hugely popular pyrotechnic and lighting display via the BBC, in the most extensive live 360o coverage the BBC has ever given such an event, offering people at home the opportunity to feel like they are at the display.
BBC Taster, the BBC’s home for innovation and new ideas along with its world-class events team, will let viewers get closer to the action, by taking control of the camera angle of the event by tilting and panning on their tablet or mobile device, or using arrow keys on a laptop or PC, giving a full vista of the fireworks and surrounding sites.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “London is the best place in the world to see in the New Year and every year thousands of people watch the spectacular fireworks display on the banks of the Thames. I know this year’s show will be the most exciting yet, bringing a fantastic end to the year, and showing the world that London is open. I want everyone to be able to have a great view of the London fireworks and I’m delighted to team up with the BBC to bring this exciting new element to the event for the first time ever.”
Matthew Postgate, BBC Chief Technology and Product Officer, said: “The BBC brings the nation together – and New Year’s Eve is one of the most special times of the year for many in the UK and across the world. This year we’ve been bringing audiences new innovations for the Olympics to Euro 2016. We’re thrilled to end the year with a special 360o experience of London’s spectacular fireworks online – as well as full coverage on BBC One. So from Belfast to Birmingham, from Swansea to Stirling – viewers can experience the magic of London’s fireworks closer than ever before.”
New Year's Eve is one of the busiest nights of the year, particularly in central London, but revellers, wherever they are, are advised to plan ahead to get the most out of the huge range of other celebratory activities taking place in bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs across the capital. Many venues will be ticketed and need to be booked in advance. To find out more about what is going on visit www.visitlondon.com/newyearseve.
Public transport will be the best way to get about on New Year's Eve. Revellers are advised to plan ahead and check www.tfl.gov.uk/nye for travel information.
For updates about the London New Year's Eve Fireworks go to www.london.gov.uk/nye.
For live updates on the night follow #LondonNYE.
Notes to editors
1. Since first being staged at the Coca-Cola London Eye on the South Bank in 2003, the numbers of people heading into central London for the acclaimed pyrotechnic and lighting display had mushroomed from an estimated 100,000 people in its first year to an estimated 500,000 in 2013 the last year before ticketing was introduced. A large proportion of them were unable to see the display at all, leaving them disappointed and with nowhere to go at midnight. The sheer numbers threatened the emergency services ability to respond to a major incident effectively, and left many thousands of people cold, tired and unable to get anywhere near the event.
2. Aside from the fireworks London is one of the most exciting cities to be in on New Year's Eve with hundreds of events taking place in clubs, pubs and restaurants across the capital. There is a huge number of ways to ring in your New Year. To find out more go to: www.visitlondon.com/newyear.