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Jools Holland’s Annual Hootenanny 2025—the New Year’s Eve edition that welcomed 2026—was broadcast on BBC Two at 11:30 p.m. GMT on Wednesday, December 31, 2025. UK viewers could also stream it on BBC iPlayer. No confirmed official broadcaster or streaming outlet was identified for the US, Canada, Australia or other overseas territories. The episode may still be on iPlayer, but availability changes, so check the programme page rather than assuming it remains online.
Can you still watch the 2025/26 Hootenanny?
The original broadcast has passed. In the UK, search BBC iPlayer for Jools’ Annual Hootenanny and look for the edition broadcast on December 31, 2025. JustWatch listed the series as free on BBC iPlayer in the UK when checked on July 16, 2026, but a third-party listing is not a guarantee that this particular episode is still playable. Music-rights windows can remove older performances without notice.
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Later with Jools Holland - Hootenanny [Region 2] | $49.48 | Buy on Amazon |
Where was it broadcast?
| Service | Original availability | What that means now |
|---|---|---|
| BBC Two | 11:30 p.m. GMT, December 31, 2025 | The scheduled television broadcast is over. |
| BBC iPlayer | UK streaming and catch-up service | Check the episode page for current availability; it may expire. |
The programme is a pre-recorded studio entertainment special, traditionally made before New Year’s Eve, rather than a live concert. Its countdown and midnight presentation are part of the broadcast format.
How to watch in the UK
- Open BBC iPlayer and search for Jools’ Annual Hootenanny.
- Select the 2025/26 edition, described as the programme broadcast on December 31, 2025.
- Sign in to a BBC account or create one if prompted.
- Confirm the applicable UK TV Licence declaration. BBC iPlayer is a UK-only service tied to the necessary TV Licence.
- Use the programme page for catch-up playback. The BBC Two live stream was relevant only during the original broadcast window.
If the episode does not appear, try the BBC programme index and search again later. An old listing on JustWatch can be used as a secondary check, not as proof that playback remains available.
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Can viewers watch it in the US, Canada or Australia?
No confirmed official local broadcaster or licensed streaming service was identified for the United States, Canada or Australia. Availability in any other territory should likewise be treated as unconfirmed unless a local rights-holder announces it. The confirmed route was BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in the UK.
BBC.com and the BBC app are separate international services with their own geolocation and rights restrictions. Installing the BBC app, or paying for an international BBC service, does not automatically provide access to iPlayer.
Does a BBC.com subscription include Hootenanny?
No. BBC Help explicitly distinguishes a BBC.com subscription from BBC iPlayer: subscribing to BBC.com does not unlock UK iPlayer programmes.
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Prices displayed by BBC Help in 2026 were subject to regional availability, taxes and change:
| Region | Monthly | First year | Annual renewal |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | $8.99 | $49.99 | $89.99 |
| Canada | $12.99 | $69.99 | $124.99 |
Those subscriptions are not a legitimate substitute for an iPlayer account and UK viewing requirements.
Could a VPN reach BBC iPlayer abroad?
A UK viewer travelling overseas may try a VPN to connect to a UK server, but this is a conditional technical workaround, not an official international distribution method. BBC services can detect and block VPN or proxy addresses, and results vary by provider, server, device and network.
- A VPN does not create a UK TV Licence entitlement.
- Access is not guaranteed, even when a UK server connects successfully.
- Check BBC terms, the VPN provider’s terms and the law where you are located.
- Free VPNs commonly have congested servers, data limits and heavily blocked IP ranges.
If iPlayer shows a location or playback error, try the programme page without the VPN, use a different legitimate local service if one exists, or accept that the episode may no longer be licensed for viewing.
Who appeared on the 2025/26 programme?
Pre-broadcast publicity identified these guests and acts:
- Ronnie Wood
- Craig David
- Olivia Dean
- The Kooks
- Jessie J
- Heather Small
- Lulu
- M People
- Imelda May
- The Pipes and Drums of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards
- Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Publicity line-ups are not the same as a complete running order: an advertised artist may appear in a collaboration or shorter segment. The BBC describes the recurring production as a New Year’s Eve entertainment show featuring Holland and his orchestra (BBC Studios Global Content).
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Original broadcast times outside the UK
These are conversions of the past UK broadcast, not future schedules:
| Location | Local time on December 31, 2025 |
|---|---|
| UK | 11:30 p.m. GMT |
| US Eastern | 6:30 p.m. EST |
| US Central | 5:30 p.m. CST |
| US Mountain | 4:30 p.m. MST |
| US Pacific | 3:30 p.m. PST |
What if the episode has disappeared?
- Search iPlayer using the full programme title and the 2025/26 description.
- Check the BBC programme index and current entertainment listings.
- Remember that music licensing can shorten catch-up availability.
- Do not rely on unofficial mirrors or pirated uploads; they are not authorized alternatives.
BBC Sounds is not a replacement video stream. The BBC’s international BBC Sounds service closed on July 21, 2025 (BBC Help).
Sources and service guidance
- TechRadar’s broadcast details
- BBC Help: iPlayer and BBC subscriptions
- BBC Help: BBC.com geolocation and paywalls
- BBC Help: subscription pricing
- JustWatch UK listing
- Official Charts scheduling context
The Bottom Line
For the 2025/26 edition, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer were the confirmed viewing routes in the UK. There was no confirmed official international stream; a VPN may be blocked and does not replace BBC licensing requirements.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
