How to watch the Mercury Prize album of the year 2025... from anywhere

Pulp's Jarvis Cocker (Image credit: Getty Images/Justin Shin)

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Mercury Prize: Background
Album Of The Year list

Mercury Prize 2025

Date: Available to stream from 21.30 BST on BBC Four
UK coverage - free on BBC iPlayer
Watch iPlayer anywhere: Unblock iPlayer with Nord VPN's 30-day trial.

The Mercury Prize album of the year 2025 is set to be announced on Thursday, October 16 at a ceremony at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle, with a total of 12 artists on the final shortlist.

You'll be able to watch the evening unfold on BBC Four from 21:30 BST via the BBC iPlayer with artists including Pulp, Wolf Alice and Fontaines D.C. hoping to claim the prestigious award. The evening will be presented by Lauren Laverne.

It's the fourth time Wolf Alice have been nominated, making it the first time an artist has seen their first four albums make the Mercury shortlist. The band won the award back in 2018 for their second album Visions Of A Life.

The other nine artists on the Mercury shortlist are CMAT, Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA Twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, Pa Salieu, PinkPantheress and Sam Fender.

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How to watch the Mercury Prize in the UK

UK residents watch for free on the BBC iPlayer

If you’re in the UK and have a TV licence, you'll can stream the Mercury Prize via the BBC iPlayer. Simple as that.

If you're on holiday outside of the UK and don't want to miss the action as it happens, you can watch with the help of a VPN. We've got the full lowdown below.

How to watch the Mercury Prize from anywhere

Watch via Nord VPN and save 72%

If you're going to be outside the UK on holiday or travelling with work when the Mercury Prize for album of the year is announced, don't worry, as you'll still be able to watch with a VPN.

Virtual Private Networks are used to change the location of your IP address, enabling you to watch the programme outside of the UK. Nord VPN is Louder's service of choice and it's currently available with 72% off the usual price - and there's a 30-day money back guarantee.

How to use a VPN

1. Install a VPN. As we've mentioned above, Nord VPN is Louder's favourite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN. If you'll be outside the UK on holiday and want to watch the Mercury Prize when it's broadcast, just select 'UK' from the list.

You'll then be all set to watch the evening's entertainment.

Mercury Prize: Background

The Mercury Prize: Album Of The Year is held annually, and celebrates the best new British and Irish music across a wide variety of musical genres.

This year's ceremony takes place at Newcastle's Utilita Arena - the first time the award has been held outside of London.

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Karen Kilgour, told the official Mercury Prize website: “We can’t wait to welcome everyone to our city – the atmosphere will be electric and the economic boost events like this give to a place like Newcastle can’t be overstated. 

"I know they’ll have an amazing time and be blown away by the welcome they will receive."

The night will see performances by Pulp, Wolf Alice, Emma-Jean Thackray, FKA Twigs, Jacob Alon, Joe Webb, Martin Carthy, Pa Salieu and Sam Fender, with each artist playing one song from their nominated album.

Mercury Prize: Album Of The Year list

CMAT: Euro-Country
Emma-Jean Thackray: Weirdo
FKA Twigs: EUSEXUA
Fontaines D.C.: Romance
Jacob Alon: In Limerence
Joe Webb: Hamstrings & Hurricanes
Martin Carthy: Transform Me Then Into A Fish
Pa Salieu: Afrikan Alien
PinkPantheress: Fancy That
Pulp: More
Sam Fender: People Watching
Wolf Alice: The Clearing

Artists

Scott has spent 37 years in newspapers, magazines and online as an editor, production editor, sub-editor, designer, writer and reviewer. Scott joined our news desk in 2014 before moving into e-commerce in 2020. Scott maintains Louder’s buyer’s guides, highlights deals, and reviews headphones, speakers, earplugs and more. Over the last 12 years, Scott has written more than 11,500 articles across Louder, Classic Rock, Metal Hammer and Prog. He's previously written for publications including IGN, Sunday Mirror, Daily Record and The Herald, covering everything from news and features, to tech reviews, video games, travel and whisky. Scott's favourite bands are Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure, New Model Army, All About Eve, The Mission, Cocteau Twins, Drab Majesty, Marillion and Rush.

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