Queen Elizabeth II funeral: How to watch today's TV and live-stream coverage.

by Thinus Ferreira

While millions of people will line the roads today in London, billions of people are expected to watch the live televised state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey today streamed online and broadcast in over 200 countries, in what is sure to set a new record for the world's most-watched TV event ever. 

The BBC is producing the bulk of today's live feed of the funeral ceremony and will be making use of a whopping 213 HD cameras placed inside Westminster Abbey, as well as St. George's Chapel and Westminster Hall, with 14 outside broadcast (OB) trucks transmitting from 10 different locations.

Here is how viewers in South Africa and across Africa can tune in:

ABC News

America's ABC News on YouTube will live stream the event starting from 11:15 with anchors David Muir and Amy Robach, along with correspondents Ian Pannell, Deborah Robert, James Longman, Maggie Rulli, Lama Hasan and Will Reeve.

Royal contributors are Omid Scobie, Robert Jobson, Imogen Lloyd Webber, Victoria Murphy and Ailsa Anderson.

Al Jazeera (DStv 406 / StarSat 257 / TelkomONE)

Al Jazeera will cover the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II live from 10:00 this morning as part of special Newshour coverage, themed "Queen Elizabeth II: A Final Farewell".

BBC World News (DStv 400 / StarSat 256)

On BBC World News coverage starts at 11:00 led by Huw Edwards, Kirsty Young, Fergal Keane, David Dimbleby and Sophie Raworth.

Allan Little will be inside Westminster Abbey with analysis from royal correspondent Jonny Dymond. From five different points along the procession route Ken Bruce, Mishal Husain, Emma Barnett, Clive Myrie, Adele Roberts, John Murray, Mike Costello, Rachel Burden, Nuala McGovern, Chris Mason, Jamie Coomarasamy, Andrea Catherwood and James Naughtie will do reporting and commentary.

Britbox SA

Britbox will stream live coverage of Queen Elizabeth II's funeral, starting today at 10:30. Coverage will also be available to stream on-demand on Tuesday.

CBS News

Live-streamed on cbsnews.com and YouTube, Gayle King and Norah O'Donnell will anchor a CBS News Special Report live from London, with royal contributors Tina Brown, Julian Payne, Roya Nikkhah, Amanda Foreman and the former BBC royal correspondent Wesley Kerr.

CNN International (DStv 401)

Anderson Cooper and Erin Burnett will be anchoring live from London with special coverage kicking off at 11:00 today, with Christiane Amanpour, Max Foster and Richard Quest in London.

Like the BBC, CNN has reporters stationed throughout London, including at Westminster Abbey and along the procession route and at Windsor Castle.

Nada Bashir, Matthew Chance, Bianca Nobilo, Nic Robertson, Isa Soares, Anna Stewart and Clarissa Ward will provide commentary and reports, with Zain Asher and Julia Chatterley covering from New York.

CNN royal historian Kate Williams, CNN royal commentator Sally Bedell Smith and CNN contributor Trisha Goddard provide expert analysis and insights.

euronews (DStv 414)

euronews will cover the funeral proceedings of Queen Elizabeth live on the channel as well as live-streamed on its website from 11:00.

FOX News (StarSat 261)

FOX News will start live coverage at 10:00 today, with Martha MacCallum anchoring from The Canada Gate at Buckingham Palace. She will be joined by Fox & Friends co-host Ainsley Earhardt and the British commentator Piers Morgan.

France24 (StarSat 259 / Openview 121 / TelkomONE)

France24 will broadcast the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II live on its TV news channel, with "special edition" live coverage also streamed from 10:00 this morning on France24's YouTube feed.

MSNBC (StarSat 263)

MSNBC's live coverage will start at 09:00 today with Chris Jansing anchoring. From 11:00 Mika Brzezinski, Willie Geist and Katty Kay will anchor from London. From 16:00 Andrea Mitchell, Katy Tur and Chris Jansing will anchor MSNBC's special coverage.

NBC News Now

NBC News Now on YouTube and on nbcnews.com will live-stream the funeral ceremony as well, with Savannah Guthrie, Hoda Kotb and Lester Holt anchor special live coverage of the funeral services starting at 11:00 today.

Showmax

Subscribers of MultiChoice's video streaming service across sub-Saharan Africa will be able to live-stream Queen Elizabeth II's on the BBC World News TV channel made available for free until 23 September. The live news channel is available to all Showmax subscribers regardless of their plan.

Sky News (DStv 402)

Sky News starts its special coverage today at 8:00 with anchor Kay Burley live at Westminster Abbey outlining how the day will unfold, with the channel's live feed also available on YouTube.

Anchors Anna Botting and Dermot Murnaghan start at 10:00 and will anchor for the day, with Anna Botting live from Westminster and Dermot Murnaghan reporting live from Windsor Castle as the procession begins to make its way from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch, before concluding at St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Sky News royal events commentator Alastair Bruce will provide analyses throughout the day. Kay Burley, Sarah Jane Mee and Gillian Joseph will be in the crowds in London and at Windsor Castle throughout the day.

Jayne Secker will be live from Windsor Caste at 18:00. Mark Austin will be anchoring from 20:00 as Sky News reflects on the day from Buckingham Palace with a look back at the events and key moments. 

Sky News will broadcast a round-up show of the day's proceedings and highlights at 22:00 tonight with Johnathan Samuels. Anna Botting will conclude coverage with the News at Ten at 23:00 South African time, live from Buckingham Palace.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II dead at 96.

by Thinus Ferreira

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has died this afternoon at Balmoral Castle, 8 September 2022, bringing to a close her iconic and historic 70-year reign. She was 96.

Queen Elizabeth II was surrounded by her children and grand-children as she passed away.

Her son, Prince Charles, who will be known as King Charles III, succeeds her.

"The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon," a statement said.

Queen Elizabeth II was the world's second-longest reigning monarch and in 2015 also became the longest-reigning British sovereign of all time.

British TV news channels like BBC News World and Sky News carried on DStv will have a lot of special programming, documentaries and rolling live coverage over the next few days and weeks, including her British Royal funeral which is expected to be watched live worldwide by millions of people.

BBC World News anchors and reporters already switched to wearing black on Thursday afternoon even before the official announcement was made, and will continue to wear black attire.

"The death of my beloved Mother, Her Majesty the Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family," Prince Charles III said in a statement from Buckingham Palace.

"We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished Sovereign and a much-loved Mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world."

"During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which The Queen was so widely held."

Queen Elizabeth II is survived by King Charles III and her other three children - Andrew, Anne and Edward, as well as her grandchildren including Prince William, who is now second in line to the throne, and Prince Harry, who lives in the United States but also flew back to the United Kingdom.

Her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip died in 2021 at 99.

Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee TV coverage: BBC Lifestyle, Sky News and BBC World News.

by Thinus Ferreira

Viewers who want to follow the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee celebrations in the United Kingdom will be able to tune in to live coverage of various proceedings, as well as TV specials and special coverage on the BBC World News, BBC Lifestyle and Sky News channels.

BBC LIFESTYLE (DStv 174)

BBC Lifestyle will do both live coverage of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations of her 70-year reign, and air 5 special TV documentaries between Saturday 4 June and Monday 6 June.

The Queen Mother (2 episodes), Saturday 4 June 17:00

Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother was a wife, monarch, much-loved public figure and one of the most respected members of the British royal family.  This 2-part documentary reveals the dramatic inside story of the Queen Mother's life, highlighting the moments of pain and upheaval that ultimately defined her legacy.

The Queen at War, Saturday 4 June 19:00

This hourlong documentary is an exploration of Queen Elizabeth II’s experiences during the Second World War transformed a teenage princess into Britain’s longest-reigning monarch. 

BBC Platinum Party at the Palace, Saturday 4 June 20:30 (LIVE)

This two and a half hour-long show, broadcast live, is a variety TV special bringing entertainers together for musical performances from a star-studded line-up of artists. 

 Artists include Queen + Adam Lambert, Alicia Keys, Hans Zimmer, Ella Eyre, Craig David, Mabel, Elbow, George Ezra, Duran Duran, Andrea Bocelli, Mimi Webb, Sam Ryder, Jax Jones, Celeste, Nile Rodgers, Sigala and Diversity. 

Other stars appearing at the event and in recorded messages include Sir David Attenborough, Emma Raducanu, David Beckham, Stephen Fry, Dame Julie Andrews, The Royal Ballet, Ellie Simmonds, and a specially recorded performance from Sir Elton John. Closing the show will be Diana Ross with her first UK live performance in 15 years. 

Princess Margaret: The Rebel Royal (2 episodes), Sunday 5 June 17:00 

 This 2-episode documentary profiles Princess Margaret, whose life and loves reflected the social and sexual revolution that transformed Britain during the 20th century. 

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Sunday 5 June 19:05

The coronation of Elizabeth II was an enormous logistical operation, and an event of huge cultural significance. This fascinating documentary reveals the behind the scenes story of the momentous occasion, drawing on hitherto unseen archives and made with the co-operation of Buckingham Palace.

Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen, Monday 6 June 21:00

The territory premiere, Elizabeth: The Unseen Queen, will broadcast on BBC Lifestyle on Monday 6 June at 21:00, featuring never-before-seen home movies of the Queen filmed by the British royal family.

The 75-minute programme produced by BBC Studios shows Elizabeth II as a young girl and tells more of her story and her life as a young princess seen through her eyes and in her own words.

The unique documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of her upbringing and reveals the warmth of her relationship with her parents. 

It captures the first extended visit of Prince Philip to Balmoral in 1946 while the couple's engagement was still not public – a beaming Princess Elizabeth showing the camera her engagement ring. It also shows Princess Elizabeth as a young mother, with the King and Queen as fond grandparents to Prince Charles and Princess Anne. 

BBC WORLD NEWS (StarSat 256 / DStv 400) 

BBC World News will be doing comprehensive coverage in the build-up to the Queen's Platinum Jubilee weekend, covering the official celebrations in London and how communities across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth are marking the occasion.

BBC World News special coverage will start on Thursday 2 June, until Sunday 5 June.

Platinum Jubilee: Trooping the Colour, Thursday 2 June 11:00 - 12:15 (LIVE)

Live coverage of the Queen's birthday parade, consisting of 1 400 parading soldiers, 200 horses and 400 musicians who will be joined by royal family members on horseback and in carriages. Viewers will also get to see the family during the famed "balcony" moment at Buckingham Palace.

BBC News Special: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Thursday 2 June 19:00

An hour-long special by presenter Katty Kay, looking back at the day and forward to the rest of the weekend, include interviews with royal watchers, people partaking in the events, and members of the public.

Platinum Beacons: Lighting up the Jubilee, Thursday 2 June 22:00

The United Kingdom has a long-standing tradition of lighting beacons to celebrate royal weddings, coronations and jubilees. 

BBC World News will be broadcasting the lighting of the Platinum Jubilee Beacons where thousands of candles will be lit by charities and community groups across the UK. A total of 54 Commonwealth beacons will be lit (one in each Commonwealth capital city), and the principal beacon will also be lit – an illumination of a "tree of trees" sculpture at Buckingham Palace.

Platinum Jubilee: A Service of Thanksgiving, Thursday 2 June 11:00

A service of Thanksgiving will be held at St. Paul's Cathedral in London with BBC World News broadcasting outside of Saint Paul's in the morning, moving back to Buckingham Palace in the afternoon. The channel will not be broadcasting live footage of the service due to rights restrictions.

BBC News Special: The Queen's Platinum Jubilee, Thursday 2 June 18:00

An hour-long special presented by Katty Kay, looking back at the Saint Paul's Cathedral Service of Thanksgiving earlier in the day.

The Big Jubilee Lunch, Sunday 5 June (LIVE)

Over 10 million people in the UK are expected to join the celebrations, with events including world record attempts for the longest street party. The occasion will be marked internationally too, with over 600 lunches planned throughout the Commonwealth and beyond from South Africa to Canada. BBC World News will cover the event live globally from various street parties.

This special coverage will be presented by Annita McVeigh and Martine Croxall.

SKY NEWS (StarSat 258 / DStv 402)

Sky News will be covering the Queen's Jubilee celebrations with build-up programming starting on Thursday 2 June, covering public events and royal moments.

Absolutely Fabulous  actress Joanna Lumley will be a special guest for the famous balcony flypast at Trooping the Colour on Thursday 2 June, before joining Kay Burley and Sky royal commentator Alastair Bruce from 12:00 on Sunday 5 June for a full day of festivities. 

Sky News correspondents will be reporting live from street parties in the country for the Jubilee Big Lunch and from 15:00 on Sunday Joanna Lumley and commentators will cover the Platinum Jubilee Pageant where hundreds of artists, musicians and schoolchildren will come together to perform different chapters of the story of the country's longest-serving monarch.

Sky News royal correspondent Rhiannon Mills will be on hand throughout the 4 days of celebration with the latest news and analysis and a series of big-name guests, while royal insiders and people whose lives have been touched by the Queen will join Sky News daily.

Jubilee Breakfast with Kay Burley, Thursday 2 June 8:00 - 11:00

Kay Burley will be live outside Buckingham Palace to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

The Queen's Birthday Parade (Trooping The Colour), Thursday 2 June 11:00 - 14:00

Sarah-Jane Mee presents live coverage of Trooping The Colour from outside Buckingham Palace.

The Jubilee Beacon Show, Thursday 2 June 22:00

Gillian Joseph is live at Buckingham Palace as more than 2 000 beacons are lit around the United Kingdom and Commonwealth to mark 70 years of the Queen's reign.

Jubilee Breakfast and Service of Thanksgiving with Kay Burley, Thursday 3 June 8:00 - 14:00

Kay Burley is at St Paul's Cathedral on the day a special service of thanksgiving is held to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Kay will be joined by those taking part in the service as well as Sky News correspondents around the UK.

Jubilee Breakfast, Saturday 4 June 7:00 - 11:00

Kamali Melbourne is outside Buckingham Palace as people around the country mark the third day of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.

Jubilee Breakfast with Sophy Ridge, Sunday 5 June 7:00 - 11:00

Sophy Ridge is live at Buckingham Palace on the final day of celebrations to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. Sophy will be looking ahead to the day's Jubilee pageant, and the many big lunch events taking place around the UK.

The Jubilee Big Lunch, Sunday 5 June 12:00 - 15:00

Kay Burley presents live coverage from around the UK of the many big lunch events taking place to mark the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, with special guest Joanna Lumley and Sky royal events commentator Alastair Bruce.

The Jubilee Pageant, Sunday 5 June 16:00 - 19:00

Kay Burley presents live coverage of the Platinum Jubilee Pageant in central London, with special guest Dame Joanna Lumley and Sky Royal Events commentator Alastair Bruce.

April will be Royal Month on ITV Choice with documentaries about the British royal family, including secrets about the Queen and Princess Diana.

April will be Royal Month on ITV Choice (DStv 123) with several documentaries during the month about the British royal family - including the sharing of fascinating secrets about Queen Elizabeth II and Princess Diana.

When Ant & Dec Met the Prince: 40 Years of the Prince's Trust on ITV Choice on Thursday 14 April at 20:00 tells of a year-long visit the two presenters did to Prince Charles' The Prince's Trust in 2015.

With unprecedented access, this "first and exclusive broadcast in Africa" shows fascinating archive footage mixed with interviews with Prince Charles, Prince William and Prince Harry, Camilla and pop star Cheryl Cole, telling the story of the organisation's journey as a youth charity.

The Queen's Worst Year on ITV Choice on Thursday 28 April at 20:00 is an hour long documentary about Queen Elizabeth II's "annus horribilis - 1992 - a year of scandal, tragedy and turmoil for the royal family that stretched the British monarchy's credibility to the breaking point.

From Fergie's topless scandal to Charles and Diana's divorce, to the Great Fire at Windsor, the documentary looks at how the Queen weathered the storms that threw the royal family into a profound identity crisis.

Royal Secrets starting on Friday 15 April at 20:00 is a 10-part half hour series that will be broadcast on ITV Choice in South Africa and Africa "first and exclusive" and within 5 days of being shown in the United Kingdom.

Two episodes will be shown every Friday, back to back.

Each half hour of Royal Secrets will reveal secrets about members of Britain's royal family, with substantial exclusive footage from ITV's Royal Archive.

Ep 1: Edward and MrsSimpson
Ep 2: First Steps (Royal babies)
Ep 3: Royal wives
Ep 4: Born to be King (Prince Charles)
Ep 5: The Queen's Sister (Princess Margaret)
Ep 6: The Man who would be King (Prince William)
Ep 7: The Diana File
Ep 8: Safe Hands (Queen Elizabeth II)
Ep 9: For King and Country (George V)
Ep 10: Royal Mistress (Camilla Parker Bowles)


Prince Philip : The Plot to Make a King on ITV Choice on Thursday 7 April at 20:00 is an hour long documentary as a "first and exclusive in Africa" broadcast telling the inside story of the tensions that were unleashed when Queen Elizabeth II fell in love with Prince Philip.

Young Philip, it was felt, "was rough, ill-mannered, uneducated, and would probably not be faithful," according to one courtier. The documentary draws on unpublished memoirs to show how Philip were maneuvered for a royal marriage as early as 1939 when the Queen was just 13.

Cameraman to the Queen on ITV Choice on Thursday 21 April at 20:00 as a "Queen's Birthday Special" is another "first and exclusive in Africa" documentary that will provide fascinating insight into the work of royal cameraman Peter Wilkinson who has been present at the Queen's public engagements for 18 years.

This documentary highlights his unique relationship with the Queen and shows his work during several royal and state events as he talks about some of the most memorable and poignant royal moments he has filmed.


The Secret Photos of the Duke and Duchess on ITV Choice on Friday 8 April at 20:00 is an hour long documentary that offers new insight into the romance between the King and "the divorcee", revealing for the first time ever more than a 1 000 personal photos that the Duchess of Windsor gave to her gardener on the Duke's death and which have remained hidden until now in a trunk of mementoes.