ITV

Tag: BBC ONE

  • BBC One to broadcast Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations

    BBC One to broadcast Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations

    MUMBAI: This June, BBC One will broadcast a long weekend of live events to mark Her Majesty The Queen’s official 90th birthday on Saturday, 11 June.

     

    The weekend of birthday celebrations for the landmark anniversary begins on 10 June with a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the traditional display of pageantry of the Queen’s Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) will be held on 11 June on Horse Guards Parade, culminating with the Royal Family making their annual appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

     

    BBC One will also broadcast a special celebration on The Mall in St James’s Park taking place on 12 June to close the weekend of birthday celebrations. The iconic stretch will be transformed for its largest ever street party with 10,000 people gathered to celebrate The Queen’s patronage of over 600 charities and organisations on the occasion of her 90th birthday for The Patron’s Lunch.

     

    The one-off spectacle will be a classic British ‘street party’ where guests will enjoy a hamper-style lunch at tables positioned along the full length of The Mall, with entertainment and Union flags aplenty. The Queen will be joined by other members of the Royal Family to celebrate the occasion. The Duke of Cambridge and Prince Harry are Joint Presidents of The Patron’s Lunch.

     

    BBC One head of events production Phil Dolling says, “We are thrilled to be broadcasting three days of events in June to mark Her Majesty’s 90th Birthday. It promises to be a fantastic weekend, climaxing with a huge street party in the Mall on the Sunday. It is a very significant birthday for the Queen and BBC One will be right at the heart of the celebrations.”

  • BBC One orders new series of BAFTA nominated ‘Count Arthur Strong’

    BBC One orders new series of BAFTA nominated ‘Count Arthur Strong’

    MUMBAI: BBC One has commissioned a third series of comedy Count Arthur Strong.
     
    The BAFTA nominated series launched on BBC Two in 2013. Series two heralded a move to its new home on BBC One where it broadcast at the beginning of this year.
     
    The 7*30 min series is produced by Retort (part of FremantleMedia UK), Komedia Entertainment and Delightful Industries and written by Graham Linehan and the central character’s creator, Steve Delaney.
     
    Executive producers are Jon Rolph for Retort, Richard Daws for Komedia and Gregor Sharp for the BBC, and the series is produced by Richard Boden.
     
    In series three, Arthur still pursues his dreams of stardom no matter how much chaos he causes along the way, with Michael (played by Rory Kinnear) doing his best to limit the damage to the world around them and his own sanity.
     
    Linehan said, ”Very happy to hear that Arthur, Michael and the gang will have more adventures. And we’ve got some crackers lined up for this series.”
     
    Delaney added, ”I’m thrilled, delighted and humbled that BBC One have requested another series of Count Arthur Strong. Where do I sign? Quick, before they change their minds!”
     
    BBC controller, comedy commission Shane Allen said, ”How could we resist bringing back this character comedy masterclass, which blends the joyfully daft with skilfully inventive plotting. Series two really hit its stride and the move to BBC One has brought the audience response we were hoping for. It’s a privilege to be working with these writing and performing talents at the top of their game.”
     
    Retort managing director and executive producer Jon Rolph said, ”It’s a joy and a privilege to be irresistibly drawn into Arthur’s world, and we’re delighted that the BBC One audience think so too.”

    Executive producer Richard Daws from Komedia added, ”It appears Count Arthur is edging ever closer to becoming the national treasure he has always imagined he was.”
    Production and transmission of the show will be in 2016.

  • BBC One commissions ‘The A Word’

    BBC One commissions ‘The A Word’

    MUMBAI: Ben Stephenson, BBC Controller: Drama Commissioning has announced the commission of The A Word, a six part drama series to be co-produced by Fifty Fathoms Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions and Keshet UK.

    The A Word is based on the Keshet International and July August Productions’ series and drama format which was written and created by Keren Margalit. The A Word has been developed and written for BBC1 by Peter Bowker (Marvellous, Occupation, Blackpool).

    The A Word is the story of the Scott family who work and love and fight like every other family. Then their youngest son is diagnosed with autism and they don’t feel like every other family anymore. They realise that if their son is ever going to communicate, they are going to have to learn how to communicate themselves.  It’s a funny and thought-provoking series about parenthood and childhood and what it is like to have a child who fails to fit the mould.

    The A Word will be Executive Produced for Fifty Fathoms and Tiger Aspect by Patrick Spence and Peter Bowker. Executive Producers for Keshet are Sara Johnson, Avi Nir and Keren Margalit. Lucy Richer will Executive Produce for BBC One.

    Peter Bowker said, “I loved the original series and wanted to honour its spirit while writing something new.  We have the opportunity here to make something funny, tough, realistic and inventive about contemporary family life and autism. In a society where imperfection increasingly comes with blame attached it seems timely to look at how autism is regarded both within a family and the wider community – and to give some insight into how that experience might be for the child on the autistic spectrum.  It’s a drama full of ideas – about parenthood, about disability, about communication, about community – and will emphatically engage an audience whatever their experience of the subject”.

    Sara Johnson, Head of Drama and Co-productions at Keshet UK, added, “The A Word is so close to our hearts at Keshet, Keren Margalit’s original version is a beautiful series and a story which we are so proud and excited to share with the world. We couldn’t be happier to have found the ideal partners to do this in the brilliant Peter Bowker, along with Fifty Fathoms under the capable lead of Patrick Spence, and the perfect home on the BBC1 platform.”

    Filming will commence in summer 2015.  Further production and cast credits will follow.  A TX in early 2016 is currently anticipated.

     

  • RTS crowns CNN International news channel of the year

    RTS crowns CNN International news channel of the year

    MUMBAI: Last night at the Royal Television Society (RTS) Awards, CNN International was crowned News Channel of the Year for the second year running beating Sky News and the BBC News Channel, plus won the coveted Best News Coverage – International category for its outstanding reporting of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines beating ITN and BBC One.

    The network’s coverage of news events such as the Westgate Mall siege in Nairobi, the struggle for power in Egypt, the devastation of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines, the on-going crisis in Syria, and the rise of extremism in the former Soviet republic of Dagestan, won over the RTS jury.

    Tony Maddox, Executive Vice President of CNN International, said: “To win News Channel of the Year for the second year running, against some strong submissions from our peers, is a very special honour. Our profession is being tested today more than ever before, but the bravery, determination, skill and fortitude of my colleagues around the world has been unwavering.

    “Our coverage of Typhoon Haiyan was exemplary from start to finish. Our crews showed enormous bravery as well as great sensitivity on what was both a physically gruelling, emotionally draining, and very important assignment. I’m delighted that their efforts have been recognised here, and I couldn’t be more proud of their work.”

    These two awards are the latest recognition of CNN International’s editorial strength. The channel was recently named Cable & Satellite Channel of the Year at the Asian Television Awards, and had a strong showing in the Emmys, FPA Awards, Peabody Awards and the Overseas Press Awards. CNN is also the number one international TV news channel according to all major media surveys across Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Asia Pacific region and Latin America.

     

  • Attenborough concludes his look at life on earth on BBC One with cold-blooded animals

    MUMBAI: Sir David Attenborough concludes his epic overview of life on earth with new perceptions of cold-blooded animals in the show Life In Cold Blood. The show is a co-production between BBC and Animal Planet and will air in the UK on BBC One.

    Attenborough says, “Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of as slow, dim-witted and primitive. In fact, they can be lethally fast, spectacularly beautiful, surprisingly affectionate and extremely sophisticated.”

    He first brought viewers Life on Earth, then The Private Life Of Plants, followed by The Life Of Birds, The Life Of Mammals and Life In The Undergrowth.

    Now, using the latest in filming technology from the BBC’s Natural History Unit – including ultra-high-speed, thermal, miniature and on-board cameras – Attenborough reveals the surprising and intimate lives of the cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians, discovering the secret of their survival. After all, they have ruled the earth for nearly 200 million years and, today, there are well over 14,000 species.

    From the largest and most dangerous reptiles on earth demonstrating tender and sensual courtship, to tortoises and horned chameleons jousting dramatically, flashing anolis lizards and waving jacky dragons, the Life In Cold Blood team capture previously unseen behaviour bringing their unknown lives to the screen as never before.

    Tiny scarlet frogs engage in sumo wrestling, baby worm-like caecilians feast on their mother’s skin, mother salamanders viciously defend their broods against marauders and spectacled caiman are filmed taking care of crèches of up to 100 young.

    After each main programme, there is a 10-minute feature, “Under The Skin,” produced in collaboration with the Open University in the UK. It follows Attenborough as he examines the technology used by scientists that enable the team to bring this incredible animal behaviour to the small screen.

  • BBC to look at life of The Royal Family

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC has announced that its channel BBC One will go ahead with the planned series about the working lives of The Queen and other members of The Royal Family.

    The five- part series, Monarchy: The Royal Family At Work, gives a unique insight into the work of The Queen and other members of The Royal Family as they go about their duties at home and abroad.

    BBC Vision director Jana Bennett said, “I am delighted that we are going ahead with this series and bringing it to BBC One this year. There has never been any doubt about the integrity of the films themselves: they are a serious and important look at the way the monarchy works. With exceptional access, viewers will get a remarkable picture of the work of The Royal Family over the course of a year.”

    The series will be completed by a new project team, set up and supervised by the BBC and consisting of staff from the BBC, from RDF Television and from the television production freelance community and will transmit before Christmas.

    Denys Blakeway will head up the production team as an independent executive producer reporting to BBC commissioning executive Martin Davidson.

    All profits from the series will be given to charities nominated by The Royal Household and agreed by all parties.

  • BBC Entertainment to make documentary on Spice Girls

    MUMBAI: BBC Entertainment and Simon Fuller’s 19 have confirmed plans for a brand new Spice Girls documentary.

    Spice Girls: Giving You Everything, to be screened in the UK on BBC One, tells the story of the band from the very beginning to the present day.

    Despite the huge amount that has been spoken and written about them over the years, this will be the first time that the Spice Girls themselves would be telling the story of what it has been like inside the eye of the Girl Power storm.

    Fuller said, “This is the story of the greatest pop phenomenon since The Beatles, told in their own words. It will cover the highs and the lows, the laughter and the tears, from their pre-Spice Girls days and the forming of the group to the first taste of success, world domination and ultimately the break-up and the aftermath.”

    BBC Entertainment Commissioning controller Elaine Bedell said, “I am really pleased that the Spice Girls have chosen to celebrate their reunion on BBC One. This unique documentary will provide exclusive access – and we’re also delighted that they’re showing such great support for BBC Children in Need.”

    Girl Power will hit UK screens as early as 2 November when BBC One has the world exclusive screening of the Headlines (Friendship Never Ends) video. This single is one of two new songs that the Spice Girls have recorded for their Greatest Hits album and the five-piece will perform the official song for this year’s BBC Children in Need Appeal during the BBC One telethon on 16 November.

    Spice Girls: Giving You Everything is directed by Emmy award-winning Bob Smeaton, whose previous work includes The Beatles Anthology. It is produced by Martin Smith and was commissioned by Elaine Bedell, Controller of BBC Entertainment Commissioning. Bob Massie is the Executive Producer for 19 Television.

  • BBC announces a wedding themed reality show in the UK

    BBC announces a wedding themed reality show in the UK

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC One has commissioned a new primetime series in which engaged couples volunteer to put all the plans for their wedding day into the hands of their nearest and dearest – only getting to see the results, including the wedding dress, on the big day itself.

    Whose Wedding Is It Anyway? is a five-part series being made by Lion TV. It will give both sides of the family a unique opportunity to genuinely get to know each other.

    The relatives will be given a helping hand by a team of experts led by Nick Knowles, stylist Hannah Sandling and wedding expert James Love. The experts will be there to ensure that the big day runs smoothly, on time and on budget, and be better than the happy couple could have imagined in their wildest dreams.

    Knowles said, “It is supposed to be the happiest day of your life but very often the stresses and strains of organisation and family feuds can make it one of the most trying. We remove the bride and groom from this stress and ramp up all the pressure on the two families by forcing them to make all the decisions with all the consequences you would expect.”

    At the start of the week, Nick will meet the bride and groom to learn about their hobbies, favourite food and colours, personal preferences and outlook. This crucial meeting will be the happy couple’s only input into the elements chosen by our team. From then on, the couple’s own wedding budget will be handed over to their friends and family who will be responsible for making things happen.

    With only five full days to make all the arrangements, Nick Knowles will pull out all the stops and, where necessary, bring in additional expertise to work alongside the family members to make the wedding day special – from top florists, cake makers, DJs, public speakers, bands, artists, to entertainers and jewellers.

    The show will build to the day of the wedding where each of the elements will be revealed to the couple for the first time – along with the odd surprise for both viewers and couple.

    The series producer and director Martin Bisiker said, “A wedding always contains a heady mix of emotion, drama, humour and ceremony but, with the entire process taking just five days to organise, it’s not just the wedding day that becomes the big moment in the film.

    “It’s interesting to see how different families and friends react to a range of tasks throughout the course of the week when there’s just one objective – a perfect wedding.”

  • BBC sinks its teeth into Dracula

    BBC sinks its teeth into Dracula

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC has announced a new version of the classic Bram Stoker 1897 novel, Dracula. Filming begins this month on location in and around the West Country for transmission later in the year on BBC One.

    Marc Warren plays the title role. David Suchet who is best known for the television series Poirot plays vampire scholar and Dracula’s nemesis, Van Helsing.

    Returning to the original novel for his inspiration, Stewart Harcourt’s script draws both on elements of Bram Stoker’s own life and Victorian society to give this version of the vampire classic a new, modern sensibility.

    Executive producer Julie Gardner said, “Stewart Harcourt’s adaptation is a visceral, sexy and bold re-telling of Bram Stoker’s classic chiller which will blow the cobwebs off traditional period drama. And we’ve brought together a cast of thrilling young talent to bring it to life.”

  • Viewership of Fifa World Cup in Europe beats expectations

    Viewership of Fifa World Cup in Europe beats expectations

    MUMBAI: Since kicking off last Friday 9 June, the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Germany has received a strong response not just in terms of stadium attendance but also in terms of television viewership in Europe.

    Initial viewing figures have been provided by football governing body Fifa’s and Infront’s research agency Sponsorship Intelligence, from the first three days of play.

    In Germany, the ZDF coverage of the tournament’s opening game featuring the host nation was watched by 20.13 million, a market share of 76 per cent. It was the most viewed Fifa World Cup opening match in history of German television.

    England’s opening match against Paraguay reached 84 per cent market share in the UK. 12 million people tuning in BBC One’s coverage, which matched the average for England’s group stage games in 2002. This rating does not include the out-of-home viewing television audience, which is expected to be significant due to the air time of this match which was on Saturday 10 June at 2 pm.

    Even countries that were not playing in the time period when the ratings were taken have fared well on the television ratings front. A case in point is France. The first three games broadcast on TF1 have shown much improved ratings on average than all the games in 2002 not featuring France (12).

    Netherlands’s qualification for the 2006 event (the country failed to qualify in 2002) has helped boost the ratings in the country. Around 5.5 million fans watched the team beat Serbia-Montenegro on NL 2. The market share of 89.4 per cent, was well over half more than tuned into the 2002 final.

    In Poland, the audience for the game against Ecuador surpassed the 2002 top TVR which involved the final. Poland’s opening game got a TVR of 25.7 versus 25.3 for the 2002 Brazil versus Germany final. The match was covered by TVP 1.

    In Portugal the team’s efforts against Angola drew 2.9 million viewers (a market share of 81 per cent). This was over 30 per cent higher than the top rated audience four years ago. In Norway England’s game against Paraguay on TV 2 attracted a market share of 81 per cent .

    At the moment, the assessment of the viewing patterns is based on ‘overnights’ and audiences could be significantly higher once “out of home” viewing is added in to the total. This is likely to run at record levels for this World Cup, given the current public viewing trend and the effect of new media options.

    Infront Sports and Media will provide further summary highlights of television audience figures worldwide on a regular basis throughout the course of the tournament.

    The company is responsible for the worldwide marketing and sales of the broadcast rights to the 2006 Fifa World Cup. It has made the event more widely available than ever before. There are over 500 broadcasters covering the Fifa World Cup and coverage is being provided in virtually every country of the world.