Round up week 34 (19-25 August)

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

Sir Bruce Forsyth

Veteran TV entertainment Sir Bruce Forsyth died on Friday 18 August. Director General of the BBC Tony Hall made a statement about the man he called "one of the greatest entertainers our country has ever known".

BBC at Edinburgh

Speaking on Thursday at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Director of BBC Content, Charlotte Moore talked about BBC One and detailed some new commissions for the network, in addition, Patrick Holland, Controller of BBC Two, announced a range of ambitious new titles for the network across factual, arts, comedy and drama.

World Service Language expansion

On Monday the BBC World Service launched the first new language service in its biggest expansion since the 1940s.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

This week BBC One announced The Cry and The Victim - two exciting new BBC One dramas set for Scotland. In addition, on Friday it was announced that Ben Whishaw will play Jeremy Thorpe MP's lover Norman Scott in BBC One's A Very English Scandal opposite Hugh Grant.

Comedy

On Thursday, Shane Allen, Controller, BBC Comedy confirmed that Alan Partridge will be back on both BBC One and BBC Two. IN a good week for comedy fans Friday brought an announcement of the return of Fleabag to BBC Three in 2019 and the Press Office revealed on Twitter that League of Gentlemen will also be returning to the BBC.

Entertainment

This week's celebrity contestant announcements for the forthcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing include: Holby City's Chizzy Akudolu; Paralympian Jonnie Peacock; former X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke; TV personality, presenter and the widow of magician Paul Daniels, Debbie McGee; and newsreader, journalist and Good Morning Britain anchor Charlotte Hawkins.

In addition, BBC One announced a new family game show The Button.

Factual

On Monday, Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two, announced a new three-part observational documentary series Army: Behind The New Frontlines with access to the British Army during one of the most testing moments in its history.

On Friday, BBC Four announced BBC Yorkshire documentary Through The Lens Of Larkinwhich will give unprecedented insight into Philip Larkin’s love of photography.

Children's

On Saturday BBC Creative, the BBC’s in-house creative team, will be launching a new campaign for CBBC called Find Your Tribe, which will showcase CBBC's content and demonstrate that it has something for every child - no matter what they’re into.

News

It was announced that Sarah Smith is to be the new presenter of Sunday Politics when it returns after its summer break on 17 September.

BBC Music

On Monday, BBC Music announced Harry Styles At The BBC - a world-exclusive hour-long entertainment show hosted by Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw - to be broadcast on BBC One this autumn.

iPlayer/Digital

Radio

BBC Radio 2 announced its All Star Party  - a spectacular soul, funk and disco party taking place on Saturday 30 September at the iconic Manchester Apollo, to celebrate the network's 50th birthday.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday BBC Radio 1’s Nick Grimshaw revealed that Liam Payne, Rita Ora, The Vamps, Camila Cabello and Dua Lipa form the line-up for Radio 1’s Teen Awards 2017 which will be held at The SSE Arena, Wembley on Sunday 22 October.

Regional

On Friday a partnership with the Scottish Government to launch a hub of the National Film and Television School (NFTS) at the BBC’s Studios in Pacific Quay, Glasgow, and Dumbarton was announced.

International

Following the success of the radio series, podcasts and book, 50 Things That Made The Modern Economy, the BBC World Service is now on the hunt for a ‘51st Thing’ for presenter Tim Harford to explore in two special podcasts.

Blogs

Bill Dunlop, President and CEO at Eurovision Americas, blogged about The European Broadcasting Union's Quality Journalism Initiative; we published BBC iPlayer Highlights 26 August - 1 September; and remembered Sir Bruce Forsyth in a picture blog.

Broadcast Highlights

• Welcome To Edinburgh, Saturday 19 August, BBC TWO
• Dragons' Den, Sunday 20 August, BBC TWO
• Ambulance, Thursday 24 August, BBC ONE
• The Ronnie Barker Comedy Lecture With Ben Elton, Friday 25 August, BBC ONE
• PJ Harvey: In Her Own Words, Sunday 20 August, BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC
• The Compass: Stargazing, Wednesday 23 August, BBC WORLD SERVICE
• TMS 60 - Test Match Special Anniversary Match, Thursday 24 August, BBC RADIO 5 LIVE SPORTS EXTRA