Sherlock: The Abominable Bride was the most watched programme between 21 December and 1 January 2016.
A round-up of BBC announcements and press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output this week. This week, announcements for BBC One, Two and CBBC, Stargazing Live returns, we say goodbye to some treasured performers, plus a look forward to an BBC iPlayer exclusive.
Viewing figures, awards and nominations
Sherlock: The Abominable Bride was the most watched programme between 21 December and 1 January 2016. 11.6 million viewers tuned in to see Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes and Martin Freeman as John Watson solve the case of The Abominable Bride, according to consolidated viewing data issued today.
At the Golden Globe Awards hosted by Ricky Gervais, Wolf Hall picked up the Best Limited Series or TV Movie award. Director Peter Kosminsky thanked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, "for doing us this incredible honour."
On Thursday, Brooklynwas nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Adapted Screenplay and Leading Actress categories. Christine Langan from BBC Films said in response to the nominations announcement, "The Academy's recognition for Saoirse Ronan's heartbreaking performance, Nick Hornby's brilliant adaptation of Colm Toibin's novel and for the feat of producing this truly independent film on the part of Finola Dwyer and Amanda Posey is thrilling and very gratifying for the BBC Films team. John Crowley, the director, also deserves much praise for steering the project with such grace and flawless instinct."
Announcements this week
Television
Also on Monday, we announced a Dragon's Den retrospective, fronted by Richard Osman.
BBC One announced that Emily Watson and Ben Chaplin will lead the TV adaptation of Amanda Coe's thriller Apple Tree Yard.
Also on BBC One, David Attenborough will tell the story of the discovery of the largest known dinosaur on Sunday 24 January. The programme will explain the fossil discovery and reconstruction in Argentina of the largest known dinosaur, a new species of titanosaur. Measuring 37m long - close to four London buses put end to end - and weighing 70 metric tons, latest calculations show that this new giant titanosaur is the biggest animal ever to walk the earth.
Dr Chris and Xand van Tulleken explore medical challenges of migrant crisis for on BBC One in March 2016 in The Migrants And Medics.
Michael McIntyre's Big Showfeaturing guests, comedy and music filmed at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane will return to BBC One later this year.
On Wednesday BBC Two announced how they'll exclusively reveal full-scale recreations of Palmyra's ancient temple of Baal Shamin and the Temple of Bel's entrance arch in the heart of central London during a special programme following the work of the Institute of Digital Archaeology (IDA).
Also on BBC Two, the story behind one of the most famous court cases of all time is at the heart of a new 10 part drama in The People v. O.J. Simpson starting next month.
And another big announcement for BBC Two this week was the return of Robot Wars.
And for budding young entrepreneurs across the UK there's an opportunity to pitch their business ideas in a brand CBBC new series, Pocket Money Pitch presented by BBC Breakfast Business Presenter Steph McGovern. The programme airs in February.
On Friday we announced our plans for broadcasting the Queen's 90th birthday celebrations in June.
Radio
BBC Radio 1Xtra announced the 15 acts from the world of black music and underground sounds that they tip for big things in 2016, in the station’s annual Hot For list.
Building on the 6 Music Festival in Bristol later this year plans made public in December last year, 6 Music also announced plans for its first fringe festival. Our press release detailed how the station, BBC England and BBC Introducing In The West are working closely with venues, promoters, organisations and artists across Bristol to put the event together.
And today, BBC Radio 4 it was announced that Bill Gates would be a castaway on Desert Island Discs.
Corporate
On Wednesday, we announced that Anna Mallett, Director and Project Lead for the BBC Production Proposals, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer (COO), BBC Studios, the BBC’s production arm
Snooker balls and a mouse in space
Television
The Voice UK started up on Saturday on BBC One, while on BBC Two Four professional bakers bake their way through the Victorian era, setting up shop in 1837 and getting to grips with centuries-old methods of breadmaking in Victorian Bakers.
A new series of Stargazing Live started earlier this week, featuring an update from Tim Peake on how he's coping with life on the International Space Station. We also discovered this week that Tim has taken a little friend with him into space too. Tim's first spacewalk is broadcast in tonight's Stargazing Live. You can follow it live from NASA via BBC News Online. Follow @BBCStargazingLive for updates.
Starting tonight on BBC Four, two re-runs of the classic BBC entertainment series from 1983, The Good Old Days.
A preview of BBC iPlayer's exclusive comedy film The Rack Pack - an affectionate look at a transformational period in the history of British snooker - has been available all this week. The film is available to watch exclusive on BBC iPlayer from 9pm on Sunday 17 January 2016.
Online
Our highlight from online this week is Adam Cadwell's brilliant cartoon illustration of the Hatton Garden Jewellry Heist.
Goodbyes
Alan Rickman
We were sad to learn of actor Alan Rickman's death yesterday. Alan had appeared in a number of BBC productions on screen and on radio throughout this career. Christine Langan from BBC Films said, "He meant a lot to us at the BBC – a man of great versatility, great wit and a true artist. He will be sorely missed from our firmament of stars."
We've collated a picture blog of Alan's BBC appearances which we'll be updating with obituarys, tweets and write-ups in the next few days.
David Bowie
The most-talked about news of the week was the death of music legend David Bowie on Monday. It was reported that Bowie had been suffering from cancer for 18 months. BBC Music paid tribute to the Ziggy Stadust creator and Jeff Smith, Head of Music, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio 6 Music, blogged his own tribute to the star for About the BBC (including links to all of BBC Music's special programming). A tribute programme was aired on BBC One on Monday evening.
Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart
On Saturday it was announced that former Radio 1 and Radio 2 DJ Ed 'Stewpot' Stewart had died following a stroke. He was 74.
Huffington Post features quotes and tweets from former colleauges; the Telegraph has a collection of archive pictures of Stewart; the Telegraph's obituary details the DJ's career. Ed presented a special edition of Junior Choice on Radio 2 over Christmas.
