A round-up of BBC announcements and press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output this week.
Dame Janet Smith Report
The BBC Trust published the full report by Dame Janet Smith DBE of her inquiry into the BBC’s culture and practices during the Jimmy Savile and Stuart Hall years.
The Review was established in October 2012 to conduct an impartial, thorough and independent review of the culture and practices of the BBC during the years that Jimmy Savile worked there. A further investigation, into the conduct of Stuart Hall, was undertaken by Dame Linda Dobbs DBE, and is published as part of the report.
Dane Janet Smith DBE introduced the report in a press conference on Thursday morning. Director General Tony Hall responded at the press conference. We published his statement on the Media Centre website.
Showcase
BBC Showcase, took place in Liverpool from 22-24 February. The event showcases the best of British television to the world’s top TV executives from every corner of the globe. Turns out Chris Evans and Matt Le Blanc who attended were rather nervous, you can find out more about the event in Paul Dempsey’s blog.
Announcements & Blogs
On Monday, Dan McGolpin, Controller of BBC Daytime and Early-Peak, announced some new commissions for BBC One, later in the week it was also revealed that The Coroner, Father Brown and Doctors have all been recommissioned for BBC One Daytime.
Eurovision news also bookended the week; on Monday the Eurovision you decide acts were published, and by the end of the week we knew that the public had chosen Joe and Jake to represent the United Kingdom at Eurovision 2016..
On Monday 22 February BBC Three announced a partnership with Sports Brand UFC to offer Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) coverage.
In Comedy news a one-off special of Are You Being Served caught people’s attentions. Part of celebrations to mark the 60 year anniversary of the much-loved sitcom it will appear on BBC One later in the year.
Planet Earth II
In other BBC One announcements it was revealed Sir David Attenborough will present a brand new landmark natural history series for the network, Planet Earth II.
In Radio, a BBC Radio 5 live study uncovered people’s views on council tax spending and was highlighted in a BBC News story “Social care 'at breaking point' despite council tax rises”.
Meanwhile, Eddie Izzard started the first of 27 marathons in 27 days in South Africa for Sport Relief, and Sir Steve Redgrave and Freddie Flintoff revealed their first team-mates for Sport Relief: Clash Of The Titans. In other Sport news it was confirmed a second series of BBC One’s Class Of 92: Out Of Their League has been commissioned.
There were some coming and goings announced this week too: Chef James Martin will leave Saturday Kitchen, while new cast members were revealed for Casualty in this its 30th year.
BBC Two also shared news of a new series that is the culmination of a two-year research project by BBC Documentaries, Secret History of My Family. A four-part documentary series for BBC Two it starts on Thursday 10 March.
Broadcast Highlights
Bill Turnbull
Key events this week included Bill Turnbull’s departure from BBC Breakfast. Also Blue Peter presenter Lindsey Russell’s Sport Relief attempt.
Tom Hiddleston in The Night Manager
Spy thriller The Night Manager - adapted from the John Le Carre novel and starring Tom Hiddleston started on BBC One this week. There were reviews in: the Guardian, Express, Daily Mail, List and Arts Desk amongst others.
A Bafta-winning BBC Two drama returns next week with three new films: Murder by Robert Jones and Kath Mattock starts on Thursday with Murder: The Third Voice.