A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output last week.
Pyeongchang 2018 Olympic Winter Games on the BBC
BBC Sport is carrying the Olympic torch to Pyeongchang this February, bringing fans the very best moments of the 2018 Winter Games.
The Royal Collection Season on the BBC
The Royal Collection Season, a major partnership between Royal Collection Trust and the BBC, brings both masterpieces and lesser-known works of art from the Royal Collection to audiences across Britain.
BBC Music Sound Of 2018
Norwegian pop singer Sigrid has been named 2018’s winner of the coveted BBC Music Sound Of, as chosen by a panel of more than 170 influential music experts including former winners and longlist nominees.
BBC Radio 2 schedule changes Spring 2018
BBC Radio 2 presents a range of schedule changes, with new programmes and series, as well as a refresh of its specialist music programming.
Announcements and blogs
Drama
BBC One confirmed that Jenna Coleman (Victoria, Doctor Who) and Ewen Leslie (Safe Harbour, Top of the Lake) will star in The Cry, a four-part thrilling, psychological drama written by Jacquelin Perske, adapted from the novel by Helen FitzGerald.
In addition, the network revealed that the cast of Andrew Davies’ six-part drama adaptation of Victor Hugo's 19th century classic Les Misérables will be led by Dominic West and David Oyelowo.
Finally for BBC One drama this week Idris Elba began filming in London on multi-award-winning series Luther.
Elsewhere this week, BBC Drama, supported by BBC Studios and Directors UK, announced part two of the 2017/18 Continuing Drama Directors’ Scheme.
Factual
The Media Pack for BC One's Big Cats was published. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning Natural History and Specialist Factual, announced a wide range of new natural history commissions.
Elsewhere details of Asian Adventure: The Road To Saigon on BBC Two was revealed.
iPlayer
Christmas box-sets have helped BBC iPlayer achieve its best week on record. Viewers spent more time and streamed more programmes on BBC iPlayer than in any previous week.
Meanwhile, Peaky Blinders series four has been revealed as BBC Two’s biggest drama series of 2017 with a series average of 3.3 million, consolidated figures reveal, with a peak episode volume of 3.6 million for the series finale, the biggest audience for an episode ever.
Regional
BBC National Chorus of Wales confirmed they are to perform with Orchestre Symphonique de Bretagn for the first time, in the newly opened concert hall Couvent des Jacobins in Brittany, France (10-11 January 2018).
Meanwhile, English Regions factual programme Inside Out reported some Boots pharmacists claim they are at 'breaking point'.
Blogs
Reporting from Banham Zoo for BBC Look East, Alex Dunlop's encounter with lemurs goes from 'good idea at the time' to viral video; in addition, Head of Radio 2, Lewis Carnie introduces programming schedule changes for the new year and explains why the station is making a return to late night live programming. James Purnell introduced BBC Ideas - short films for curious minds and we also published the weekly BBC iPlayer Highlights 13-19 January.
Broadcast Highlights
Agyness Deyn as DI Elaine Renko and Jim Sturgess as DCI Charlie Hicks in Hard Sun
- Hard Sun Saturday 6 January, BBC ONE
- Michael Palin: A Life On Screen Sunday 7 January, BBC TWO
- Into the Forest from Sunday 7 January, BBC THREE
- The Infinite Monkey Cage Monday 8 January, BBC RADIO 4
- The Museum Of Curiosity Monday 8 January, BBC RADIO 4
- Silent Witness Monday & Tuesday 8 & 9 January, BBC ONE
- Fighting For Air Wednesday 10 January, BBC TWO
- Big Cats Thursday 11 January, BBC ONE
