Forum for former BBC staff

Forum for former BBC staff
http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> News and Comment >> Big cuts at World Service English http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1285266741 Message started by Administrator on Sep 23^rd, 2010, 6:33pm

Title: Big cuts at World Service English
Post by Administrator on Sep 23^rd, 2010, 6:33pm

The head of BBC World Service in English, Craig Oliver, has announced that he's ditching regular drama, as well as dedicated coverage of the Proms and Wimbledon. The announcement is in advance of wider cuts expected in the World Service budget. This is the text of Craig Oliver's email to staff:

Subject: Changes to drama, music and sport output on World Service English from April 2011
From Craig Oliver, Controller English, Global News

Over the past few months, I have been working with my senior editorial team to respond to the challenges of an increasingly tough financial climate. I have had to make some difficult decisions, which will come into effect from next April.

Drama
Sadly, BBC World Service will no longer schedule regular drama output. This means that the current contract with Audio & Music to provide around 14 plays per year will end on 31 March 2011.

I would like to pay tribute to those production teams, actors and writers who have provided our listeners with exceptional radio drama for more than 75 years. Marion Nancarrow, the current executive responsible for drama, deserves particular praise for her record in showcasing established playwrights and actors alongside new writers, directors and performers.

I am pleased to say that the biannual International Playwright Competition, which we have run in conjunction with the British Council for 22 years, will continue on BBC World Service.

Music
BBC World Service will no longer broadcast its weekly, hour-long BBC Proms season programme. We have also decided not to recommission the World of Music series for 2011/12.

We will, however, continue to provide our audiences with the best coverage of the BBC Proms and world music, in addition to drama, performance and other arts in our arts programme The Strand and in other output.

My thanks go to all the production teams involved over the years, in particular senior producer of our BBC Proms programmes Radek Boschetty, to Oliver Jones and the World of Music production team, and to presenter Mark Coles.

Sport
The daily, hour-long programme dedicated to the Wimbledon tennis championships will cease from 2011. However, as with every Grand Slam tennis event, BBC World Service will continue to feature Wimbledon prominently in our regular sports programmes and bulletins. My thanks go to the sports teams and their dedication to delivering lively content each year from SW19.

Craig