Exciting news! This year, you’ll be able to watch Carnival live on YouTube for free, directly from Salvador, Bahia. The channel is already available here. Here are two of the videos they have up as a little preview for the festivities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBoJDf6-H18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmbQRKc1OqY

From Jornal do Brasil:

“Levar a cultura brasileira para diversos países em tempo real é um desafio grandioso”, afirma Flávia Simon, gerente de marketing do Google Brasil. “Junto com nossos parceiros, nosso objetivo é oferecer um conteúdo diferenciado e rico para o usuário, que poderá aproveitar o Carnaval de Salvador como se estivesse lá.”

What does she mean by a “desafio grandioso”?

There will be a preview show featuring Ivete Sangalo, which will be streamed live on the Carnaval channel on February 19th. The actual Carnaval celebration will be broadcast from March 3rd to March 8th, so mark your calendars.

For more information on Carnival in Bahia, click here.