Round-up week 31 (30 July - 5 August)

A round-up of BBC announcements and press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.

Rajars

On Thursday 4 August the latest RAJAR figures were released and BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Asian Network had recorded their highest ever weekly audiences. 

Olympics

BBC Sport 360 launched this week for Rio 2016 Olympics. An experimental service BBC Sport 360 brings Rio 2016 live and on-demand to UK audiences in 360 degree video for the first time.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

It was announced that Jonathan Creek will return to BBC One for a new 90-minute special. In addition James Norton has been cast in a lead role for new BBC One drama series McMafia, while Sean Bean will star in Jimmy McGovern’s new primetime drama series Broken for the network. Elsewhere, Josh reunites with Charlie and Duffy for Casualty's 30th anniversary special.

Meanwhile, a Media pack was published for One Of Us, a gripping four-part thriller for BBC One.

Comedy

TV favourites, Ronni Ancona and Kevin Whately will guest star in the much-anticipated new series of BBC One comedy Still Game. 

Factual

Jeremy Vine and Tina Daheley will front BBC One’s Crimewatch when it returns to the channel this autumn with a brand new look and refreshed format.

Music

Tony Hadley has been announced to perform at BBC Proms in the Park in Colwyn Bay. Elsewhere, the five orchestras showcasing their talents in All Together Now: The Great Orchestra Challengehave been revealed.

Meanwhile BBC Music has annouced its 2016 Mercury Prize ‘Albums of the Year’ Programming.

BBC Scotland has appointed Dominic Parker to the role od Director of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. In addition, a mini version of Bizet’s famous opera Carmen has been released as part of the Get Playing music making campaign.

CBBC

It has been announced that Amanda Holden will join the cast of CBBC’s The Worst Witch, and filming has started on CBBC’s Hank Zipzer special starring Henry Winkler.

Radio

BBC Radio 1Xtra announced that the station’s annual flagship event 1Xtra Live will be coming to Liverpool on Saturday 8 Octoberc.

Digital

The BBC iPlayer Radio app is now available globally as the BBC has delivered the last stage of its international roll out.

Regional

BBC Scotland opened public voting to determine Scotland’s favourite novels, while BBC Local Radio stations are encouraging their listeners to get reading as part of a major new partnership with the country’s public libraries. In Wales BBC Radio Cymru’s pop-up station, BBC Radio Cymru Mwy will take to the digital airwaves and from Monday 19 September.

The RAJARs revealed BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle remains the most listened to radio station in Northern Ireland. 

International

On the day of the Rio 2016 opening ceremony on Friday 5 August, BBC Brasil started piloting its new daily Facebook Live, #BBCporaí (BBC in your area), which will bring unique stories from the Olympic city.

Blogs

Jennifer Richardson, Senior Product Manager in BBC Design & Engineering blogged aboutRio 2016 Olympics ready, set, press red.

Broadcast Highlights

• Versus: The Life And Films Of Ken Loach, Saturday 30 July, BBC Two
• Cycling: Ride London 2016, Sunday 31 July, BBC One
• BBC Proms 2016: Berlioz's Romeo & Juliet, Sunday 31 July, BBC Four
• Countryfile Summer Diaries, Monday 1 to Friday 5 August, BBC One
• The Girl From Ipanema: Brazil, Bossa Nova And The Beach, Monday 1 August, BBC Four
• Imagine…Rod Stewart: Can’t Stop Me Now, Tuesday 2 August, BBC Two
• World Cup '66 - Minute By Minute, Saturday 30 July, BBC Radio 2
• BBC Music on the World Service: The Caribbean Musical Melting Pot, Saturday 30 July, BBC World Service
• The Age Of Bowie, Monday 1 August, BBC Radio 4