BBC Proms 2016
A round-up of BBC announcements and press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output this week.
Proms 2016
This week the BBC Proms has today announced the programme for its 122nd season featuring more than 90 concerts over eight weeks, including four Last Night celebrations around the UK. In addition details of the full coverage on radio, television and online was revealed.
Meanwhile David Pickard, Director, BBC Proms talked to us and introduced the season.
iPlayer Kids app
On Tuesday the iPlayer Kids app for mobile and tablet was launched, and About the BBC followed Furchester Hotel's Elmo and Pheobe as they tried to find their way to New Broadcasting House. Alice Webb, Director BBC Children's also blogged about why launching the BBC iPlayer Kids app is a really exciting moment for the team.
Shakespeare
More announcements were made this week regarding programming to mark 400 years since the death of William Shakespeare: BBC and Royal Shakespeare Company revealed more stellar performers for Shakespeare Live! From The RSC, while ShakespeareMe - an innovative digital interactive campaign to inspire the smartphone generation to tap into Shakespeare’s best-loved lines - launched on Monday.
Diversity
On Thursday the BBC’s record on reflecting the diversity of the UK was debated in Parliament. Ahead of the debate the BBC's Head of Diversity, Inclusion and Succession, Tunde Ogungbesan gave an overview of diversity at the BBC both on and off-screen.
Announcements
Drama
BBC One announced that Kerry Howard to play Young Hyacinth in a special prequel to Keeping Up Appearances, and that an all-Irish cast will join EastEnders’ Kat and Alfie for brand new BBC One drama series Redwater. It was also revealed that Marc Elliott, best known for his role as Syed Masood in EastEnders, will join the network's medical drama Holby City.
Entertainment
Also in BBC One news, finalists were announced for theSongs of Praise School Choir of the Year 2016. Meanwhile BBC Three will be sending Romesh Ranganathan on another international adventure - this time with his mum - for Asian Provocateur series two.
Sport
On Tuesday it was revealed that the BBC and BT Sport have retained the rights to The FA Cup until 2021, after an agreement was reached with the FA to extend the shared coverage of the competition for another three years.
Radio
This week Radio 5 live shared the results of a survey that suggests one in four young adults has experienced ageism. Meanwhile, Radio 2 shared plans to relive the World Cup 1966 final - 'Minute by Minute', on Saturday 30 July 2016 - exactly 50 years to the day since England won the cup.
Corporate
On Monday we published details of expenses, gifts and hospitality and declaration of personal interests for Q2 2015/2016 (July – September 2015) and Q3 2015/2016 (October – December 2015) for senior managers who earn over £150k and/or those who sit on the BBC’s main boards.
News
On Wednesday we announced that John Pienaar has been appointed Deputy Political Editor. In addition to this new role, he will continue to present his weekly Sunday morning programme, Pienaar's Politics, on BBC Radio 5 live.
Broadcast Highlights
- Chasing Dad (BBC Three) is BBC Three's original and compelling documentary depicting one father’s long-term struggle with heroin addiction, told through the uniquely intimate perspective of his own son.
- In Tune - Proms Launch Special(BBC Radio 3) Suzy Klein presents a special programme, with interviews and live performances from artists featured in the 2016 Proms.
- Europe: Them Or Us (BBC Two) As the UK gears up to decide its future in the June referendum, Nick Robinson explores the troubled history of the UK's relationship with Europe.
- Into the Wild with Gordon Buchanan (BBC Two) Gordon Buchanan takes some household names on a wildlife adventure. Gordon and Alastair head to the Western Isles of Scotland in search of otters and puffins.
- Normal for Norfolk (BBC Two)Documentary series following eccentric gentleman farmer Desmond MacCarthy as he struggles to keep his 17th-century manor home afloat, while holding on to the country traditions of his childhood.
- Five Star Babies: Inside the Portland HospitalHow the Portland Hospital's army of consultants, midwives, chefs and cleaners serve some of the UK's most pampered parents.
- BBC: The Secret Files 2 (BBC Four) Penelope Keith looks into the BBC's secret dealings with some of the 20th century's most intriguing figures, including Winston Churchill, Tony Hancock and Alec Guinness.
- People's History of Pop (BBC Four)Twiggy celebrates the 60s, meeting skiffle musicians, fans of the Shadows, Liverpudlians who frequented the Cavern Club at the height of Merseybeat, Beatles devotees, Ready Steady Go! dancers, mods, lovers of ska, bluebeat and Millie Small, and fans of the Rolling Stones.
- Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit (Radio 4) Adapted for radio by Jeanette Winterson from her acclaimed novel.
