ITV

Tag: BBC

  • BBC launches College of Comedy

    BBC launches College of Comedy

    MUMBAI: Britain’s comedy writers are backing a new “BBC College of Comedy.” The scheme, which launches today (12 March), will take six writers and train them over a year by attaching them to sitcoms and sketch shows, giving each a mentor for original work, and running a series of masterclasses in all aspects of comedy writing.

    Among those endorsing the scheme are Dick Clement and Ian la Frenais, Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, Bill Dare, Jeremy Dyson, Andy Hamilton, Armando Iannucci, Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, Paul Mayhew-Archer, David Mitchell and Robert Webb, Susan Nickson, Simon Nye, Ian Brown, James Hendrie and Ian Pattison.

    The scheme, which has financial support from BBC Worldwide, is designed for people who have already begun their careers, and can demonstrate some achievement, such as broadcast material, a script commission or performance of their work.

    Applicants are being invited to submit the first ten pages of a half-hour script, or six sketches by the closing date of 14 April. Twelve writers will be interviewed, and the successful six announced on 16 May. They will then be matched with productions, and guaranteed a script commission.

    They will also be given a mentor for original work, which will be showcased when the scheme ends in March 2009. There will be two residential workshops during the year, with sessions from leading writers, producers and directors.

    The scheme is being run by Micheál Jacob, formerly the BBC’s creative head of mainstream comedy and executive producer of My Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and The Smoking Room. He will combine running the college with developing and executive producing programmes.

    Jacob says, “We hope to find people who are going to make our team-written shows better, and also writers with original voices who can develop their own shows. We also hope that people will like the BBC enough to bring us their work in the future.”

    The scheme is the brainchild of BBC’s head of comedy, Mark Freeland.

    He added, “I’m really excited about the launch of the scheme. I hope that we can find creative writing talent from many places, unearthing origin and diverse comedy voices.”

  • BBC, NFTS work to put new documentary talent on TV

    BBC, NFTS work to put new documentary talent on TV

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC is awarding development deals to three National Film and Television School (NFTS) documentary filmmakers.

    The BBC and NFTS established the development deal to bring the inspiring new visions of young filmmakers to the screen. Now in its fourth year, it sees the brightest new documentary talent from the NFTS being fostered by the experience and expertise of the BBC.

    The new documentary filmmakers to benefit are Leon Dean, Luke Sewell and Ilian Metev. Their work impressed selection panelists Richard Klein, Krishan Arora (independents executive for BBC Vision), Charlotte Moore and Kate Beetham (executive producers, documentaries).

    The development deal provides funding for the graduates to work with independent production companies and BBC Factual executives to develop their ideas further.

    NFTS director Nik Powell said, “In the last few weeks, there have been three authored documentaries written, directed and often also produced and crewed by recent graduates of the NFTS in major BBC strands – Storyville and Wonderland. This demonstrates to us and the BBC just how successful this arrangement is.”

    The BBC‘s Krishan Arora says, “These deals will allow NFTS graduates to learn from experienced TV executives about developing documentaries for television, and to get a chance to put their ideas to the acid test of BBC commissioning. It‘s a highly competitive field but this ‘on-the-job‘ training will hopefully equip the students well for their future filmmaking careers.”

    NFTS head of the documentary division Dick Fontaine says, “These BBC deals are great for us, of course, but even more valuable is the weight the BBC is putting behind the series Wonderland, not only supporting new authored films but leading the audience to them.”

    Leon Dean says, “Being awarded a BBC development deal is a tremendous opportunity to build my skills as a filmmaker and work with the company responsible for some of the greatest documentaries. Thank you BBC!”

    Luke Sewell said, “I‘m over the moon to have been awarded a BBC Development Deal. It‘s such a fantastic opportunity for a graduate of the NFTS. I can‘t wait to get started with my project.”

    Ilian Metev was equally excited and had this to say about his award, “I am very grateful for the BBC‘s faith in my project and truly inspired to embark on this new journey.”

    Previous recipients include 2005 graduate Daniel Vernon whose film, The Man Who Loved Sherlock Holmes, was made under the deal and was broadcast by the BBC on Boxing Day in 2005.

    Daniel has continued to make ratings winning programmes for the BBC – most recently The Man Who Eats Badgers and Other Strange Tales from Bodmin Moor and The 92-Year-Old Danger Junkie, both shown earlier this year as part of BBC Two‘s Wonderland strand.

    Says Daniel, “The development deal was a really good start for me after graduating from the NFTS – it gave me a chance and the space to continue pursuing my own ideas.

    “Most importantly, it helped put me in touch with commissioning editors where I was able to directly pitch ideas. Following the two films for the Wonderland strand, we are now planning future projects.”

  • Ben Wilson is BBC deputy head of press

    Ben Wilson is BBC deputy head of press

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has appointed Ben Wilson to the new role of deputy head of press in the BBC Press Office.

    Reporting to head of press Donald Steel, Wilson will be a senior spokesman for the pubcaster, working across the BBC’s corporate and other communications activities.

    Wilson is currently the head of news at the department for communities and local government, and will take up his new post later in the Spring. He succeeds Sarah Williams, who left at the end of last year to take up a senior role in BBC Worldwide.

    Steel said, “I am delighted to have someone of Ben’s calibre join the BBC Press Office team. He has wide experience and an outstanding track record and will bring much to one of the busiest press offices in the country.”

    Wilson said, “I am delighted to be joining the BBC – a broadcaster valued by the British public and a leader in innovation both at home and abroad. These are exciting and challenging times for the BBC and I look forward to playing a part in its future.”

  • BBC to launch news channel for Arabic region

    BBC to launch news channel for Arabic region

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC will strengthen its multimedia news services for the Arab world by launching a TV news channel alongside its existing radio and online offer next week.

    BBC Arabic Television – the BBC’s news and information channel in the Arabic language – launches on 11 March 2008. Initially broadcast for 12 hours a day, the television channel is part of the BBC’s integrated multimedia news service for the Arab world. It will move to 24/7 in the summer and is the BBC’s first publicly-funded international television service.

    BBC Arabic is already available on air and on-demand 24 hours a day, seven days a week on radio, on the internet through bbcarabic.com, on mobiles and on handheld computers – in whatever way best suits the audience.

    BBC Arabic Television will be freely available to everyone with a satellite or cable connection in the region, whether they are in North Africa, the Middle East or the Gulf. BBC Arabic Television will be distributed on the Arabsat, Eutelsat and Nilesat satellite systems.

    The TV channel’s schedule includes news headlines every 15 minutes and a full news summary every 30 minutes. On-the-spot news coverage will be delivered by 250 correspondents reporting from 72 bureaux around the world – the biggest newsgathering team in the world. Additional regional expertise comes from an extensive network of local reporters and correspondents.

    The channel also features news and current affairs programmes such as the twice-daily Newshour, which highlights news, analysis, key interviews and debate on the top events making the news in the region and around the world that day.

    It also features the pioneering live multimedia interactive debating forum Nuqtat Hewar, already popular on radio and online, three days a week. A showcase of the best BBC documentaries and specially produced in-depth reports from the Arab world will reinforce the TV schedule. Its presenters will include Rania Al Alattar; Fida Bassil; Tony El-Khoury; Dalia Mohamed; Osman Ayfarah; Hasan Muawad; Lina Musharbash; and Dina Waqqaf.

    BBC World Service director Nigel Chapman says, “BBC Arabic is renowned for broadcasting impartial and accurate news and information which is strong on analysis and expertise. This enhanced multimedia service meets the needs of an audience with a very strong appetite for news and debate. We will be contemporary in style and independent and incisive in our journalism.”

    The TV channel launch will be accompanied by a major relaunch of bbcarabic.com to include embedded video and a new media player. The radio schedule has been extensively refreshed to reflect the new multimedia approach.

    More than 13 million people currently listen to BBC Arabic every day, while its website bbcarabic.com receives more than 21 million page impressions and has over one million unique users each month. Chapman adds, “We are encouraged that independent research consistently shows an appetite for a BBC Arabic Television channel. The main reason people give is quite simple – it is because they believe the BBC will provide an independent news service they could trust.”

    Independent research over recent years consistently shows that existing Arab audiences to the BBC regard it as the most trusted, impartial and objective international radio news provider in the Arab world, with an established reputation for quality. BBC Arabic’s award-winning 24/7 online news and information service also enjoys high levels of trust in its content.

    BBC Arabic head Hosam El Sokkari says, “BBC Arabic is already renowned for reporting more than just conflict and politics. BBC Arabic aims to continue to broaden the news agenda for audiences in the region. It will reflect the breadth of the Arab audience’s interests.

    “The BBC is the largest newsgathering organisation in the world. Only it can make the unique offer to Arab audiences. It can be their ears and eyes – not just in the countries where people live, but throughout the region and around the rest of the world.

    “The BBC is uniquely experienced in bringing the key stories of the region and the world to Arab audiences. Because BBC World Service has a genuinely international perspective, it is also best placed to take the views, key issues and real lives of our Arab audiences to a wider global audience. No-one else has our multimedia strength on television, on radio, online and on any multimedia device people want their news delivered.

    “We will offer comprehensive multimedia news reporting and analysis to audiences and, in turn, involve Arab audiences in an authentic dialogue on the issues that reflect their lives.”

  • BBC celebrates 70 years of broadcasting in Brazil

    BBC celebrates 70 years of broadcasting in Brazil

    MUMBAI: BBC Brasil celebrates its 70th anniversary by hosting four special debates in the cities of Brasília and São Paulo, starting 12 March 2008.

    BBC Brasil head Rogério Simões says, “BBC Brasil is 70, and I am very proud of how far we have come since 1938. Our aim has always been to help our audience understand the relevant issues behind the news and their consequences.

    “In turn, our audiences keep telling us that they see us as fresh, innovative and reliable broadcasters, connected to the world and with these debates we aim to prove these credentials once again. Our online operations go from strength to strength, and in January 2008, we received 4.2 million visitors to bbcbrasil.com and from content on our Brazilian partner websites.

    “We are also reaching new audiences with video on Bandeirantes TV and our radio output has a loyal listenership. We invite all our radio, online and TV audiences to engage with the debates.”

    The BBC Brasil debates will discuss “The Giant Neighbour: Brazil and South America,” “Journalism in the 21st Century: Objectivity and Subjectivity,” “Freedom of Speech: Limits of Journalism in the 21st Century” and “The New Journalism: Convergence and Interactivity.”

  • Helen Normoyle appointed BBC’s head of audiences

    Helen Normoyle appointed BBC’s head of audiences

    MUMBAI: Helen Normoyle, currently Ofcom’s director of media literacy and convergent media and previously its director of market research, is joining the BBC as head of audiences.

    Normoyle was brought in as Ofcom’s director of market research in 2003, and established and led its market research team. More recently, she led the team which developed the statutory requirement for the promotion of media literacy into one of Ofcom’s priorities for the coming year.

    She will join the BBC in May, taking over from Chris Mundy in leading the audiences team.

    BBC director of marketing, communications and audiences Tim Davie said, “Helen brings a wealth of experience with her, and we are delighted that she will be joining us.”

    Helen said, “I’ll be very sad to leave Ofcom. I have thoroughly enjoyed working here with a great team over the last few years, but I’m now really looking forward to joining one of the world’s most respected broadcasters. It’s very clear that audiences are right at the heart of the BBC and that’s what makes this such an exciting prospect and challenge for me.”

  • BBC celebrates Easter with ‘Passion’

    BBC celebrates Easter with ‘Passion’

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster the BBC will celebrate Easter with a series, The Passion.

    The setting is Passover week, Jerusalem, 33AD. As thousands of pilgrims pour into the city, tensions between the Jewish religious authorities and the occupying Romans are already running high.

    When news arrives that a preacher from Galilee is about to enter the city’s East Gate on a donkey’s colt, thereby fulfilling ancient prophecies about the coming of a Messiah to free the Jews from oppression, the mood becomes even more incendiary.

    The tumultuous events of the next seven days will resonate through the next 2,000 years of human history. Written by Frank Deasy, directed by Michael Offer and produced by Nigel Stafford-Clark, The Passion is a retelling of the story of Jesus’s final days on earth and will air in the UK on BBC One.

    Inspired by both the Gospels and other contemporary historical sources, the three-hour drama, for the first time, tells the story from the perspective of all the main figures involved – Jesus and his disciples, the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate and the High Priest, Caiaphas.

    Stafford-Clark explains, “It puts it all into context, digs deeper into the characters and their actions. Why did Pilate agree to have Jesus crucified? Why did Caiaphas want him condemned to death? Why was there such excitement when Jesus entered Jerusalem on Palm Sunday?”

    The pubcaster adds that The Passion allows the audience to feel as if they were members of the crowds moving through the chaotic streets of Jerusalem 2,000 years ago.

    Michael Offer, who shot The Passion in Morocco, says, “I wanted to project the experience of what it would have been like to have been living in that place at that moment in time.”

    The series stars Joseph Mawle as Jesus, James Nesbitt as Pilate and Ben Daniels as Caiaphas.

    Deasy says, “It is, I hope, a version that everyone, whatever their level of faith or scepticism, finds rewarding. By the end, I hope people feel they have been on a very deep journey with these characters, that they feel they have shared the most powerful week of their lives.”

    A special website bbc.co.uk/thepassion launches on 28 February to provide a lively and exciting multiplatform companion to the drama. Users can explore a wealth of extra material, ask questions and contribute their own opinions and programme reviews.

    Features include episode guides, video interviews with cast and crew, picture gallery and specially commissioned articles giving the background to the drama and the Passion itself.

  • BBC renews contract with RMS for cash schemes reprocurement

    BBC renews contract with RMS for cash schemes reprocurement

    MUMBAI: UK pubcaster BBC has completed a reprocurement exercise for the management of its TV licencing cash schemes and the TV licencing savings card.

    The contract has been awarded to the incumbent Revenues Management Services Ltd (RMS), an iQor group company.

    BBC’s head of revenue management Pipa Doubtfire said, “We are delighted to be continuing our partnership with RMS which is committed to the high standards of customer service that we demand for licence fee payers. The new contract offers excellent value for money for licence fee payers.”

    The new five-year contract will be rolled out from 1 April 2008.

    The BBC ran an Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) procurement during 2007 that sought the best organisation to deliver the required services, while offering the best value for money for the licence fee payer.

    This is the publication in which all contracts from the public sector which are valued above a certain threshold must be published.

    TV licensing is a trading name used by agents contracted by the BBC to administer the collection of television licence fees and the enforcement of the television licensing system.

    The majority of the administration of TV licencing is contracted to Capita Business Services Ltd, with the administration of cash easy payment schemes contracted to RMS, and marketing and public relations activities contracted to the AMV Consortium.

  • Zee News signs licencing, distribution deal with BBC Worldwide

    Zee News signs licencing, distribution deal with BBC Worldwide

    MUMBAI: Zee News has inked a marketing, licencing and distribution deal with BBC Worldwide. BBC Worldwide will market, licence and distribute Zee News’ archive clip footage worldwide on BBC Motion Gallery website.

    As per the deal, BBC will source news and current affairs content only from Zee News in India for its Motion Gallery website.

    Zee News CEO Barun Das said, “Worldwide, Zee News is viewed as a responsible and serious news channel. It’s little wonder that Zee News Limited is the only news and current affairs media company in India from whom BBC will source content for its prestigious Motion Gallery website.”

    Following this, Zee News will join the league of some of world’s leading broadcasters like BBC, CBS News, NHK Japan, CCTV China and ABC Australia in providing content to BBC Motion Gallery which houses video clips that have been selected from the archives of these broadcasters worldwide.

  • BBC uses big screens to push ‘Dr Who’ in UK

    BBC uses big screens to push ‘Dr Who’ in UK

    MUMBAI: A trailer of the new series of UK pubcaster BBC One’s Bafta award-winning drama Doctor Who is airing in cinemas across the UK. The show goes on air on the BBC later this year.

    The trailer is part of a BBC test with Carlton Screen Advertising to showcase BBC content.

    The deal, which covers 837 Odeon screens, 736 Cineworld screens and 142 Empire screens, will see a 90-second trailer of the new series shown before some of the most anticipated new releases including Cloverfield, Juno, John Rambo and There Will Be Blood.

    BBC Vision head of marketing Naomi Gibney said, “This is a great opportunity for the BBC to reach new audiences with an exciting preview of the new series of Doctor Who.”

    Actress Catherine Tate is reprising her role as Donna, the runaway bride, and will star as the doctor’s companion throughout the new series alongside David Tennant as the doctor.

    The first episode of the new series will witness Donna tracking down the doctor during an alien emergency in modern-day London.

    The couple are destined to experience a series of wonderful adventures throughout the series run including meeting one of Doctor Who’s popular aliens, the Ood, in a new episode, Planet of the Ood.

    Donna and the doctor will also be travelling through time for an encounter with the legendary murder mystery novelist Agatha Christie and taking a trip to Pompeii.

    Guest stars who have already been confirmed to appear in the new series include Sarah Lancashire, Felicity Kendal, Alex Kingston, Lesley Sharp, Georgia Moffett, Lindsey Coulson, Fenella Woolgar, Tim McInnerny, Peter Capaldi, Phil Davis and Tracey Childs.

    Freema Agyeman who has played Martha Jones, the doctor’s companion throughout the critically acclaimed third series, will also return to the show to join the doctor and Donna mid-series.