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Live streaming of the World Pipe Band Championships will be available across the world in a move by ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland to mark the Year of Homecoming.

Scottish ex-patriates, piping enthusiasts in countries where there is a strong interest in traditional music such as the United States, Canada and Australia, and newcomers to the music, will be able to enjoy all the excitement of the event's Grade One arena on 15 August 2009.

The championships will attract 8,000 performers in 200 bands from around the world and a crowd of 40,000 is expected to see them compete for the honours at Glasgow Green.

One of the talented bands from overseas, Simon Fraser University from Canada, are the reigning Grade One gold medallists.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland has been the host broadcaster of the prestigious event since 2006.

This year's programme on ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ One Scotland will be presented by Jackie Bird with commentary from respected piper Bob Worrall who has also been an adjudicator at 'The Worlds'.

³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's live web coverage can be accessed on bbc.co.uk/worlds which will also host video clips on demand, available worldwide, after the event.

The on-demand service will feature excerpts of performance from all the bands vying for the medals in the Grade One competition.

Ewan Angus, Commissioning Editor, Television, ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland, said: "The World Pipe Band Championships have become an important fixture in ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Scotland's summer schedule.

"We are delighted that we will be enhancing our coverage this year with the live web streaming for viewers in and beyond the UK. We know there's a big interest in piping in many countries abroad, particularly those where traditional music already has a strong following.

"It is fitting that our offering has gone global in this special year for Scottish culture and heritage."

Ian Embelton, Chief Executive of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association, organisers of the championships, said the decision to develop the coverage of the event with live web streaming was a major boost for traditional music.

He added that the World Pipe Band Championships are a truly global event and this will allow fans everywhere to follow the drama at Glasgow Green as it unfolds.

JG2