Including The Wresting and Late N Live

More than 50 Edinburgh Fringe comedy shows will be live-streamed via NextUp this year, the platform has announced.

Its programme will include such flagship events as The Wrestling, Late N Live and final of So You Think You’re Funny.

Most of the programming comes from deals with the Gilded Balloon and The Pleasance, and marks the first time the platform has offered live coverage of shows from the festival.

NextUp’s head of comedy Tom Brandt says the Covid lockdown proved there was an audience for livestreaming gigs.

He said: ‘The pandemic meant that more gigs were available online and that comedy was finally more accessible - we want to keep that going. Edinburgh Fringe is the biggest event in the comedy calendar, but the venues can be inaccessible and not everyone can afford to travel; we want all comedy fans to be able to see what the Fringe is all about, so we’re going to work as hard as possible to bring as many of the best shows available to audiences worldwide"’.

Pleasance director Anthony Alderson said: ‘We’re really happy to be partnering with NextUp to stream the fringe;  it means  people who can't make it to Edinburgh get to experience incredible comedy at the biggest arts festival in the world from the comfort of their homes, and see what the Ffringe is all about. Hopefully they'll get a taste for it, and book to come in person next time!"

Katy Koren, artistic director of the Gilded Balloon added: ‘he festival hosts such an incredible programme of shows and we are thrilled that they will be more accessible than ever in 2022.’

Fringe passes, which allow access to all streamed gigs, are available at nextupcomedy.com/edfringe for £30.

Published: 13 Jun 2022