A round-up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.
Brian Matthew
The much loved Radio 2 presenter sadly passed away on Saturday 8 April. Director-General Tony Hall paid tribute to "that voice".
BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend
50,000 free tickets for BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Hull 2017 were snapped up in under 50 minutes, with 95 percent of them going to the local area.
BBC Studios Diversity Lead
Miranda Wayland has been appointed to drive the production arm’s diversity strategy and ensure that BBC Studios’ people and programmes continue to properly reflect and represent the UK.
BBC Young Dancer 2017
Full details of the BBC Young Dancer Grand Final were revealed, including names of the five finalists, presenters, judges, special guests and line-up for the night.
Announcements and blogs
Drama
Doctor Who returned for a tenth series, introducing new companion Bill (Pearl Mackie).
On Tuesday 11 April, the BAFTA Television Awards nominees for 2017 were announced, with BBC Drama gaining 19 nominations.
BBC Wales and S4C announced their latest co-commission. Filmed back-to-back in Welsh and English, Keeping Faith/Un Bore Mercherthe series tells the story of lawyer, wife and mother Faith (Eve Myles) as she fights to find the truth behind the sudden disappearance of her husband.
BBC Two announced that David Morrissey will play Inspector Tyador Borlú in the adaptation of China Miéville's novel The City And The City.
Radio
Radio 4 announced that from September 2017, its flagship arts and culture programme Front Row will launch a new Saturday edition as the show is extended to six days a week.
Comedy
Shane Allen, Controller, Comedy Commissioning and Charlotte Moore, Director, BBC Content have commissioned Edith, a comedy by Oscar-nominated writer Charles McKeown featuring a stellar cast, led by Alison Steadman, John Cleese and Jason Watkins.
BBC Three announced that Tom Davis’ award-winning improvised comedy format, Murder in Successville will return on Wednesday 19 April.
Factual
BBC Three announced a brand new series, Queer Britain, which aims to get under the skin of queer culture and shine a light on the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community.
Patrick Holland, Controller, BBC Two and Jamie Balment, Commissioning Editor, BBC Documentaries, have commissioned Flatpack: The World’s Biggest Furniture Store (working title) which will examine Ikea’s distinctive work-culture and philosophy, filming inside stores, factories and design studios around the globe.
BBC One announced Anthony Joshua: The Road To Klitschko, anexclusive documentary brings a rare insight into a young boxer.
Entertainment
Tennis icons Sue Barker, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski and Judy Murray are to guest judge on Great British Menu when it returns to BBC Two this spring to celebrate 140 years of the Wimbledon Championships.
Childrens
CBBC’s hit show, The Dengineers will be returning this autumn, with new presenter Joe Tracini joining Lauren Layfield and the team.
World Service
As part of its growing investment in Africa, the BBC is launching a TV news programme for its Somali-speaking audience on April 24.
BBC Minute, the dynamic 60-second global news round-up from the BBC World Service, is now available in parts of Cyprus following a broadcasting agreement with radio network, Rock FM. The deal marks the first time BBC Minute can be heard on a radio station in Europe.
Blogs
David Jennings, Head of Regional and Local Programmes, BBC West Midlands explained how Midlands Today returned to Stoke Heath to report on the inspiring stories of everyday local heroes discovered there in 1977.
Broadcast Highlights
Billy Bragg performing at th BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards 2017
- Folk Awards 2017: Highlights, Sunday 9 April, BBC Four
- Peter Kay's Car Share, Tuesday 11 April, BBC One
- Our Friend Victoria, Tuesday 11 April, BBC One
- I Shot My Parents, Tuesday 11 April, BBC Three
- Fern Britton's Holy Land Journey, Friday 14 April, BBC One
- Later... With Jools Holland, Friday 14 April, BBC Two
