The Royal Highland Show celebrates its 200th anniversary this year and will showcase the event by livestreaming across the globe.
The organisers have secured £200,000 of funding from the Scottish Government to drive this initiative, with monies administered by EventScotland.
The free-to-view RHS TV will see a mix of live and pre-recorded content broadcast across the four days, including livestock judging, equestrian classes, culture, interviews, food & drink and of course, the grand parade.
Dougie Vipond will host the event during the mornings, with Sarah Mack taking over in the afternoons.
It follows the success of the Royal Highland Showcase in 2021, which achieved a total audience of 345,701 viewers watch the action from 97 countries.
Bill Gray, chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), organisers of the Royal Highland Show, said: “This is a hugely exciting announcement which will allow us to bring the best of food, farming, and rural Scotland to audiences across the globe. The value the Show brings to the economy and also to Scotland the brand is reflected in the level of support we have received from the Scottish Government, for which we are very grateful.”
He added: “RHS TV also presents great opportunities for sponsors and exhibitors to extend their reach beyond the 200,000 people expected to attend the event. This is yet another way in which we can add value and also generate revenue which allows RHASS to fulfil its charitable activities.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland director of events, said: “The support of the Scottish Government has ensured the organisers of the Royal Highland Show are able to continue to embrace innovation and build on the success of last year’s Showcase with RHS TV.
“Scotland is the perfect stage for events and the dynamic mix of live and pre-recorded content to be broadcast via RHS TV will enable audiences both around the world and at home to connect, enjoy and share in the memorable experience that is the Royal Highland Show, one of the country’s much loved major events.”
Culture Minister Neil Gray said: “I know how important events like this are to farmers, crofters and rural communities more generally. As the Royal Highland Show celebrates its 200th anniversary this year I’m delighted that this important and high profile event will be welcoming people in person again. The Show, which brings together Scotland’s world famous food and drink, traditions and culture to be enjoyed by attendees from around the world, will once again support Scotland’s events supply chain which has been particularly hard hit by the pandemic.
“I am delighted that Scottish Government funding will enable the Royal Highland Show to showcase online all that rural Scotland has to offer and celebrate, significantly increasing the reach of this event and enabling people across Scotland and all around the world to experience the rich variety of activities the Show has to offer.”
The Royal Highland Show will take place at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, on 23-26 June 2022.
Tickets, including car parking, must be pre-purchased online this year and no tickets will be available to buy at the gate. Tickets are limited in number this year with sell-out days anticipated, so it is advised to purchase early. Children aged 15 and under go free when accompanied by an adult (a free ticket must also be reserved in advance).
For further information and to purchase tickets please visit www.royalhighlandshow.org.