GB News steps in to provide live coverage of Twelfth parade

The broadcaster has stepped in after BBC NI decided not to provide live coverage of the Belfast demonstration this year.

In a statement on its website, GB News said: “GB News will broadcast live from Northern Ireland’s annual Twelfth of July parades this year following the BBC’s controversial last-minute decision to drop their live coverage.

More than 500,000 people across 18 districts are expected to turn out for the historic parades, a huge celebration of unionist pride. July 12 is a public holiday in Northern Ireland.

GB News presenter and former First Minister of Northern Ireland, Dame Arlene Foster, said she was “incredibly proud of GB News for stepping up to fill a void left by the national broadcaster.”

She added: “One of the reasons I joined GB News was to bring a better understanding of Northern Ireland life and culture to a wider UK audience. GB News stands for inclusion, of all regional voices, and the Orange Parades are core to our voice in Northern Ireland.”

GB News said it will focus on the largest of the Orange parades, in Armagh, with Northern Ireland correspondent Douglas Beattie “on the ground to explain the patriotism, pageantry and colour of the processions.”

The Orange Institution has welcomed the decision.

On Tuesday, Grand Master Edward Stevenson said: “The announcement from GB News today that they will give live television coverage to the Twelfth of July parade from Armagh is very welcome indeed.

“Live coverage of the Twelfth is very important to so many people, particularly those who are unable to attend parades for a range of reasons.

“We were inundated with calls, many of them from older people who were concerned that they would miss out on this year’s parades. So I am in no doubt that this announcement will come as a huge boost.”

Mr Stevenson added: “The Twelfth in Co Armagh is the biggest of all Twelfth parades and I’m confident it will make for an excellent programme. It will feature thousands of Brethren, Sisters and Juniors on parade and an excellent variety of bands.

“We are delighted to work with the GB News team and look forward to seeing the Twelfth covered live.”

Upper Bann DUP MLA Diane Dodds said: “This is good news for people who are unable to attend the Twelfth but, in the past, relied on the BBC’s live coverage. I commend GB News for seizing on this opportunity and recognising that one of the largest outdoor events in the UK calendar is deserving of live coverage.

“The outrageous decision of the BBC to reduce their coverage of the Twelfth demonstration reaffirmed the trend within the broadcaster away from its local audience. It stands in contrast to the GB News decision which evidently wants to reach into the unique blend of identities which make up our great United Kingdom.”

Also welcoming the news, the TUV said it had contacted the broadcaster almost as soon as the BBC NI decision was announced.

“Within 24 hours of the announcement by the BBC that they were binning live coverage of the Twelfth TUV had made contact with GB News about the possibility of them filling the gap and therefore I am absolutely delighted that the channel has stepped in and is for the first time ever offering a UK wide audience the opportunity to experience the colour, spectacle and sound of the Twelfth live in the comfort of their own homes,” the party’s Newry and Armagh spokesperson Keith Radcliffe said.

“The musical talent displayed by the bands, the artistic skill displayed on the banners and the drums and an event which is one of the annual highlights for everyone who is there will now be brought to a UK wide audience and that is a great thing.

“I am particularly delighted that the focus will be on the Armagh Twelfth which offers a great variety of superbly turned out bands. I’ve no doubt that GB News will be warmly welcomed by a community which increasingly feels ignored by old broadcasters.

“So well done GB News for seeing the obvious opportunity presented by the BBC decision.

“There are many people, particularly the infirm and elderly, who will be delighted by this news because it will mean they will be able to watch the coverage live,” he added.