A round-up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.
Charter
The BBC welcomes the Queen’s granting of a new, 11-year, Charter that will allow a BBC which is more open, more creative and more distinctive than ever.
Red Carpet cinema tour
The BBC is wrapping up some festive TV treats and hitting the road in the country’s only mobile cinema to bring a raft of red carpet premieres to towns and cities across the North of England over the Christmas holiday period.
Awards
The winners of the BBC Music Awards 2016 have been revealed at a live star-studded show in London. While Riyad Mahrez was voted BBC African Footballer of the Year 2016.
Swimmer Ellie Robinson has been announced as BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year 2016.
Appointments
Pat Connor, who is currently BBC England’s Head of Development and Events, is to extend her role to become the Director of BBC South West.
Announcements and blogs
Drama
The Witness for the Prosecution is the major new Agatha Christie adaptation by Sarah Phelps for BBC One. The two-part drama reunites the team behind last year’s critically acclaimed And Then There Were None.
Meanwhile, first look pictures of Nicole Kidman in the second series of Jane Campion’s critically acclaimed Top of the Lake were released.
Comedy
In advance of the new series airing, BBC One has announced that Not Going Out will return to the channel in 2017 for a further two series.
Entertainment
Christmas University Challenge is returning to BBC Two this year, with the 2016 line-up now confirmed. In addition, Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman are swap roles to mark the landmark occasion of 1000 Pointless shows, in the New Year on BBC One.
Factual
Sue Perkins is to explore the Ganges in new series for BBC One.
Children's
CBBC brings The Worst Witch to life for a new generation with a new series, and cast members Claire Higgins, Wendy Craig, and Bella Ramsey joined a host of North West stars including Wes and Leanne Brown and actress Angela Griffin at the premiere screening at Manchester Town Hall.
iPlayer
It was announced that hit documentary series Planet Earth II is 2016’s most requested show on BBC iPlayer. The series, tops the list of the most popular BBC iPlayer shows of the year so far, with the first episode Islands having been requested more than 3.8 million times.
Digital
A new BBC virtual reality (VR) film depicting a terrifying Christmas Day fire will be given its UK premiere today at the London Fire Brigade’s new pop-up museum in Lambeth.
Meanwhile, the BBC's first virtual reality (VR) production on the Oculus store was released. The film, We Wait, is a dramatised depiction of migrants making the perilous journey from Turkey to Greece on smugglers’ boats.
Radio
BBC Radio 1Xtra confirmed Stefflon Don, Dave, RAY BLK and MoStack are amongst the artists to appear on 1Xtra’s Hot For 2017 list.
Elsewhere, Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour Power List 2016 was revealed. In addition, the network's Just a Minute enters its 50th anniversary year, HRH The Prince of Wales has recorded a special message for the iconic show which will air on Christmas Day, as a festive treat for listeners.
Regional
The reshaped BBC Wales board has been completed with two latest appointments.
Blogs
Jon Jacob praised the unsung hero of Christmas music who started his BBC career in 1926 as a piano accompanist and finished as BBC Director of Music in Hely-Hutchinson: The BBC man who created the ultimate Christmas music. As the latest Disasters Emergency Committee Appeal launches, Sally Flatman explains how the BBC is involved with the charity in DEC Yemen Crisis Appeal.
As this season of Strictly - Len Goodman's last as a judge - came to an end we revisited some of his gems of wisdom in The world according to Len. And BBC 6 Music Early Breakfast Show presenter Chris Hawkins previewed a festive edition of his show in A Brief History of Christmas Songs on 6 Music.
Broadcast Highlights
CBeebies The Nutcracker
- Robert Rauschenberg: Pop Art Pioneer, Saturday 10 December, BBC TWO
- Operation People Power With Dave Myers, Monday 12 December to Friday 16 December, BBC ONE
- Christmas Kitchen, Monday 12 December to Friday 16 December, BBC ONE
- BBC Music Awards 2016, Monday 12 December, BBC ONE
- Muslims Like Us, Monday 12 December, BBC TWO
- Hank Zipzer's Christmas Catastrophe, Monday 12 December, CBBC
- Go Jetters North Pole Christmas Special, Wednesday 14 December, CBEEBIES
- CBeebies The Nutcracker, Friday 16 December, CBEEBIES
- BBC Music Awards 2016 - Greg James, Monday 12 December, BBC RADIO 1
- A Beginner's Guide To India, Thursday 15 December, BBC RADIO 4
