Mercury Prize: BBC Music confirms broadcast plans for 2024

BBC Music has confirmed plans for the Mercury Prize broadcast next month, after it was confirmed that the prestigious prize will ditch its usual awards ceremony and live event at Hammersmith Apollo.

Instead, live programming on BBC Four and BBC Radio 6 Music will take its place on Thursday September 5. A live show on Abbey Road Studios will see all the nominated artists coming together to watch their recent performances and celebrate the albums from their fellow nominees.

That show will air on BBC Four from 8PM – 9.15PM with the winner set to be announced around 9PM, an official press release confirms.

The 12 shortlisted albums for the 2024 Mercury Prize were revealed last month, with Charli XCX and The Last Dinner Party both on the list.

Others to feature on the list are Rolling Stone UK’s 2024 Future of Music stars Barry Can’t Swim, English Teacher and Nia Archives, alongside the likes of BERWYN, Cat Burns and CMAT.

Completing the list are Beth Gibbons, Corinne Bailey Rae, corto.alto and Ghetts. The nominee list – and eventual winner – was decided by a panel of industry experts including artists, journalists and broadcasters.

In a statement about the new process for 2024, Dr Jo Twist OBE, CEO of the BPI, home to the Mercury Prize, said: “For the 2024 Mercury Prize we will work imaginatively with the BBC to deliver a premium programme of music content and digital engagement that will, as ever, benefit all 12 artists in reaching a wider audience, providing an important platform for their evolving career and musical journey.”

Last year’s ceremony saw Ezra Collective win the Mercury Prize for their 2022 album Where I’m Meant to Be.