BBC Blogs - About the BBC - Round-up week 47 (19-25 November)

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

Christmas 2016 on TV and Radio

BBC TV festive delights this Christmas include the nation’s favourite shows, alongside all-star names in brand new content especially for the Christmas season. BBC Radio also has much to offer this Yuletide.

BBC Children in Need

People from across the UK have come together once again to raise a phenomenal £46,624,259 for BBC Children in Need.

Awards

William Smith is the winner of the Wales Drama Award 2016, it was announced at a ceremony held this evening at Yr Hen Lyfrgell in Cardiff. He will receive £10,000 and the opportunity to develop his work with BBC Cymru Wales, BBC Writersroom and National Theatre Wales.

Meanwhile, after one of the greatest years in Welsh sporting history, the eight contenders for the prestigious BBC Wales Sports Personality Of The Year 2016 award have been revealed.

In addition, Nikki aged 12 from North London has won the coveted title of CBBC's Junior Bake Off 2016.

While Cwmbran coach Vicki Randall has been named BBC Wales Sport's Unsung Hero 2016.

Finally, the shortlist announced for BBC Music Awards 2016: BBC Radio 2 Album of the Year.

New appointments

Amol Rajan has been appointed as Media Editor, BBC News. Elsewhere, Colin Paterson has been appointed editor of BBC Radio Wales.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

Former Hollyoaks and EastEnders star Glen Wallace has joined the cast of BBC Scotland’s River City as the head of Shieldinch’s newest family, the Roths.

Meanwhile, Media Packs for a chilling three-part drama, Rillington Place based on the real-life multiple murders carried out by John Christie in Notting Hill in the 1940s and 50s; and To Walk Invisiblewhich takes a new look at the Brontë family have been published.

Elsewhere, Sarah Lancashire, Anne Reid, Derek Jacobi, and Nicola Walker return for a two-part Christmas Special of Last Tango in Halifax.

Three more series of multiple award-winning Call The Midwife have also been commissioned for BBC One.

Revolting Rhymes has also been announced for BBC One, based on the much-loved children’s book written by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.

Comedy

Filming has begun on a brand new 40-minute Outnumbered Christmas Specialfor BBC One, after nearly a three year gap.

Entertainment

Michael McIntyre’s Big Show is to return to BBC One next year. The Saturday night family entertainment programme has been commissioned for a third series of six episodes by the BBC.

In addition, the line-up for 2016’s Top of the Pops Christmas and New Year’s Eve specialshave been revealed.

Factual

It was announced that criminals’ prized possessions are to be auctioned off for good causes on new BBC One series Ill Gotten Gains.

Children's

Christmas is coming to the CBeebies Playtime Island app from Saturday 26 November. Winter will spread across the island and mark the arrival of a very special advent calendar, releasing a new mini-game every day in the build up to Christmas.

Music

Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Radio and Music, has announced changes to his senior team that will bring together all parts of BBC Music for the first time and establish new ways of working in Radio and Music.

Radio

The shortlist for the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2017 has been revealed with David Tennant, Romola Garai, Glenda Jackson and The Archers all nominated. Winners will be announced in a ceremony at the Radio Theatre on 29 January 2017, hosted by Sir Lenny Henry.

Elsewhere, Alan Davey, Controller BBC Radio 3 announced a major commitment to the city of Hull as part of UK City of Culture, with five distinctive broadcast moments in 2017 that will shine a light on the city.

Regional

In Wales, historian Dan Snow admits to having conflicting emotions about his great-great-grandfather, David Lloyd George, in a major new BBC Wales documentary to mark the centenary on December 7 of Lloyd George becoming the first - and so far only - Welsh Prime Minister.

BBC Northern Ireland has launched its Christmas Appeal, 'Playing Our Part'.

International

BBC World Service English has announced it is significantly enhancing its content, with investment in original journalism; a richer range of programmes on science, arts and global debate; new podcasts and unique content to reach audiences on digital and social platforms.

In addition, the BBC World Service is holding a series of debates across the world in a time of international change, one such is World Questions: Colombia and Peace.

Meanwhile BBC 100 Women 2016 has announced who is on the list of the most inspirational women across the world.

Blogs

A round up of winners at the Children's BAFTAs was posted in CBeebies named Channel of the Year at the Children's BAFTAs 2016; Jon Jacob was In Conversation With … Sheryl Garratt for BBC Music: My Generation; and Diane Messias, former BBC Comedy Producer and BBC Alumni member blogged about The highs and lows of comedy production.