ITV stages live NHS singalong

UK commercial broadcaster ITV has commissioned a 90-minute musical special celebrating the country’s National Health Service (NHS) from Manchester-based Endemol Shine North.

The Big NHS Singalong Live (1×90’) will see the service’s staff, resident choir and music stars unite in a record-breaking live singalong of The Beatle’s A Little Help From My Friends to mark its 70th anniversary.

It was commissioned by Priya Singh, commissioning editor, and Sue Murphy, head of factual entertainment at ITV and will be presented by Ashley Banjo and Sara Cox.

In 2015, the NHS Choir beat Justin Bieber to the Christmas number one spot in the UK with their single A Bridge Over You.

The show follows the recent trend of live events being used by linear broadcasters to combat the competition of streaming platforms, fragmented audiences and delayed viewing.