A round-up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.
Happy Birthday Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 celebrates its big 5-0 with special programming, documentaries and concerts.
BBC launches nationwide search, training and showcase opportunity for disabled actors
The development programme, which is called Class Act: A Nationwide Search And Skill Factory, comes as part of the BBC’s ambition to support and raise the profile of disabled actors.
Appointments
It was confirmed that Radford Neville will join BBC Studios as Head of Production for drama series and serials.
Announcements and blogs
Comedy
The media pack for raucous medical comedy Quacks was published.
Entertainment
Strictly fever got underway this week with celebrity contestant announcements: on Monday, Mollie King was the first celebrity contestant confirmed; Tuesday revealed Davood Ghadami will be taking part, Wednesday saw Ruth Langsford join the fold; on Thursday it was Gemma Atkinson; and finally Friday saw Reverend Richard Coles added to the number.
Also this week, Paddy McGuinness was confirmed as the host BBC One's new show Even Better Than The Real Thing.
In addition, the Dragons' Den media pack for the new series, which starts on BBC Two on Sunday 20 August at 8pm, was published.
Arts
On Wednesday it was announced that Radio 4 arts show Front Row will be aired as a new series on BBC Two in the autumn.
Sport
On Friday details of 2017/18 football coverage - including the return of MOTD was announced.
Digital
It was announced that BBC will live-stream performances from the Edinburgh Festivals in the latest experiment from its Research & Development team. The trial will be available to watch on BBC Taster from Wednesday 9 August and will feature shows from the BBC’s Blue Tent.
Children's
On Thursday CBBC announced the presenting line up for its new live kids TV show Saturday Mash-Up! which smashes onto screens in September.
Blogs
Jacqui Hodgson, Editor, Factual Programmes, North East and Cumbria blogged about Operation Sanctuary: An Inside Out North East and Cumbria special; Kieran Clifton outlined Changes to some BBC local radio medium wave services; we published the new weekly BBC iPlayer Highlights 12-18 August; and Director of BBC North Alice Webb blogged about the Impact of the BBC’s move to Greater Manchester.
Broadcast Highlights
- Secrets Of Silicon Valley, Sunday 6 August, BBC TWO
- Stacey Dooley Investigates: The Billion Pound Party, Monday 7 August, BBC THREE
- Trust Me, Tuesday 8 August, BBC ONE
- Utopia: In Search Of The Dream, Tuesday 8 August, BBC FOUR
- My Family, Partition And Me: India 1947, Wednesday 9 August, BBC ONE
- Radio 3 at Edinburgh International Festival, Saturday 5 August, BBC RADIO 3
- Gay Britannia: Happy That Way, Thursday 10 August, BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA
