A round-up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.
General Election Coverage
On Monday BBC News announced plans for General Election Special TV programmes in a series of broadcasts from across the country including London, Edinburgh, York, Cambridge, Bristol, Swansea, Belfast and Manchester. BBC Wales also revealed their plans for #GE2017 programmes.
BBC Music Day 2017
On Thursday BBC Music today announces details of events and activity for this year’s BBC Music Day on Thursday 15 June.
Peter Kay's Car Share
The full series of the BBC One comedy was released in full onBBC iPlayer on April 11 and has proved to be a hit for the platform with requests exceeding 10.6m making it the most-requested comedy of 2017 so far.
Announcements and blogs
Corporate
On Thursday it was announced that the BBC has signed a new contract for technology services: the new enterprise ICT contract completes a major BBC tech re-procurement project, saving hundreds of millions of pounds.
Entertainment
On Tuesday, BBC One confirmed a new Strictly judge. Ballroom and Latin dancer and international coach Shirley Ballas will join Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli on the panel when the show returns for its 15th series later in the year.
More judges were announced for a new Saturday night entertainment show on BBC One. Pitch Battle, which will see singing groups from across the land compete head-to-head over a series of choral challenges including Pitch Perfect inspired riff offs, a soloists challenge and an a capella round.
Drama
On Monday we published the media pack for Kat And Alfie: Redwatera new series following the Eastenders characters with an introduction by Dominic Treadwell-Collins.
In addition it was confirmed that BBC Films' Woman In Gold will premiere on BBC Two on Saturday 13 May at 8pm.
On Thursday, casting was announced for BBC Four’s Queers. Ben Whishaw, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Front, Russell Tovey, Gemma Whelan, Ian Gelder, Kadiff Kirwan and Fionn Whitehead will star in eight 15-minute monologues.
Meanwhile, BBC Two revealed the trailer for the second series of Jane Campion’s Top of the Lake: China Girl.
On Friday the media pack for Jimmy McGovern’s new landmark six-part drama for BBC One, Broken starring Sean Bean was published.
Comedy
On Monday BBC Three and BBC Comedy announced that they have commissioned a six part series of The Young Offenders. Originally a feature film, the characters will now make a move to television screens to bring viewers the continuing misadventures of Conor MacSweeney and Jock O’Keeffe, played by newcomers Alex Murphy and Chris Walley.
Factual
Arena: American Epic premieres on BBC Four and on PBS in the USA this month. The film series explores the pivotal recording journeys at the height of the Roaring Twenties.
Children's
It was announced on Thursday that kids should expect the unexpected as CBBC launches a live entertainment extravaganza every Saturday morning from the Autumn.
Music
The BBC Singers announced the appointment of Sofi Jeannin as their new Chief Conductor. She will take up the position in July 2018 succeeding David Hill, who has been Chief Conductor for 10 years.
On Friday, the BBC Proms announced that guitarist/vocalist Richard Hawley and vocalist Susanne Sundfør have been added to the line up to perform at The Songs of Scott Walker (1967-70) in a Late Night Prom at the Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday 25 July at 10.15pm.
Radio
This autumn, Radio 4 and the British Museum embark on their fourth public service partnership exploring the role and expression of beliefs in lives and communities through time and around the world in Living with the Gods.
Regional
On Wednesday BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales (BBC NOW) announced their 2017-2018 season, with a celebration of the Orchestra’s 90th anniversary in April.
International
In the run-up to the elections in Iran, BBC Persian is launching its digital-first TV programme. From Saturday, 13 May, #Shoma invites audiences across platforms to share their opinions and stories.
Blogs
Blogs this week included: BBC announces plans for General Election 2017 special programmes; a round-up of BBC successes at the Celtic Media Awards and details of the next stage of a more personal BBC for everyone.
Broadcast Highlights
Will Young joined Brett Westwood for Radio 4's all-nighter in search of the Dawn Chorus
- Usain Bolt: The Final Chapter, Saturday 6 May, BBC One
- Trump And Culture: Brave New World?, Saturday 6 May, BBC Two
- Dawn Chorus, Sunday 7 May, BBC Radio 4
- Mexico: Earth's Festival Of Life, Sunday 7 May, BBC Two
- Backstage Pass - Kasabian at the Forum 2017, from Monday 8 May, BBC iPlayer
- Eurovision 2017 Semi-Finals, Tuesday 9 & Thursday 11 May, BBC Four
- King Charles III. Wednesday 10 May, BBC Two
- George VI Coronation: 80 Years, Friday 12 May, BBC Parliament
