A quick round-up of BBC-related announcements, blog posts and press write-ups this week, plus a look forward to some selected highlights on TV and radio.
THIS WEEK
The weekend was sadly dominated by the tragic news of the sudden death of BBC presenter Komla Dumar. BBC staff were invited to pay tribute to their much loved and respected colleague on Monday afternoon at All Souls Church.
The Andrew Marr Show this week included an interview with Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Broadcasting House become the set of W1A, as filming began over the weekend on the new sitcom from the makers of Twenty-Twelve, and the return of Call The Midwife on Sunday achieved the programme's highest ever ratings. Sunday also saw the launch of the new interactive guide BBC iWonder.
Chris Evans announced the launch on Monday of the writing competition for children aged 13 and under, 500 Words, which returns to BBC Radio 2 for a fourth year. Whilst over on Radio 1, Professor Green shared his experience of losing his father in Suicide Survivors. Producer of the show, Dave Howard blogged about how the documentary came about and the heart-felt response from people on social media.
On Tuesday it was reported that popular comedy Only Fools and Horses will return in sketch form for Sport Relief (the weekend of 21 March 2014), when Delboy (David Jason) and Rodney (Nicholas Lyndhurst) will be joined by David Beckham. Also on Tuesday, Piccadilly Records in Manchester was the venue for an outside broadcast announcing the first BBC 6Music Festival. The line-up includesDamon Albarn, The National, and Mercury Prize winner James Blake. Tickets go on sale at midday today.
At the National TV Awards on Wednesday, there was success for BBC shows Sherlock, Doctor Who,Mrs Brown's BoysandStrictly Come Dancing, and although 'Bake Off' didn't win an award, the Berry effect has been welcomed by manufacturers of lemon curd. New Head of Business Development for BBC Birmingham, Tommy Nagra gave an insight into his first week in the role.
On Thursday the BBC Sport's Winter Olympics site went live and news came through that the BBC Radio 1 YouTube channel had accrued 1million subscribers. It was announced that CBBC's first online comedy-drama Dixi will be available exclusively across mobile, tablet and desktop platforms from 24 February. Also, confirmation that Lambing Live is to return to BBC Two in March, and news of expansion in Walford as the Eastenders set in Elstree is to be extended.
COMING UP
Looking ahead, this Sunday the BBC Audio Drama Awards take place at the Radio Theatre, hosted by Lenny Henry and Director-General Tony Hall. Monday sees the final two episodes of the bilingual detective drama Hinterland, and the first programme in the BBC's World War 1 centenary season, Britain's Great War.
Round-ups are published weekly on Fridays.
