A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs. Plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

BBC Four announces new programmes that celebrate British diversity

BBC Four has announced a season of new programmes that celebrate British diversity and explores the secret tribes and communities that have helped shape modern British history.

New era for England: BBC announces major changes to services across the country

The BBC will “reinvent and refresh” its offer in England - including BBC local radio and regional TV news - to ensure it is providing the best possible services to all audiences across the country.

Radio

BBC Asian Network has revealed the line-up for Asian Network Live 2019, the station’s flagship live music event. This year’s event will take place on Saturday 2 March at Arena Birmingham.

BBC Northern Ireland will broadcast the final of the Country Antrim Shield live online and on BBC Radio Ulster on Tuesday 5 February.

Factual

On Who Do You Think You Are? Danny Dyer discovered he was descended from King Edward III - but in new two-part series, Danny Dyer’s Right Royal Family, Danny uncovers an ever bigger family tree with even more royal, aristocratic and saintly ancestors.

Childrens

Giovanna Fletcher and Nigel Clarke are set to present The Baby Club, a new series for BBC pre-school channel CBeebies, aiming to help families engage with and share precious time with their babies and toddlers.3

Wales

BBC and National Theatre Wales begin search for first ever Wales Writer in Residence. The new award is a partnership between BBC Cymru Wales and National Theatre Wales, along with BBC Writersroom Wales, with the intention of supporting new writing talent.

Gavin and Stacey stars Larry Lamb and Melanie Walters return to Wales for new family drama, Pitching In, on BBC One Wales and BBC One Daytime.

Northern Ireland

The Search, a new series for BBC One Northern Ireland explores the impact on families when a loved one goes missing, and meets the Community Rescue Service volunteers who drop everything to find them.

Corporate

Anne Bulford, the BBC’s Deputy Director-General, has decided to leave the BBC in the spring of 2019  to pursue a portfolio of non-executive roles.

Broadcast Highlights

• Call The Midwife, Sunday 13 January, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• Is This Sexual Harassment?, Sunday 13 January, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
• Almost Never, Tuesday 15 January, CBBC and BBC iPlayer
• Cuckoo, Friday 18 January, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• Riot Girls: Riot Days, Saturday 12 January, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
• The First Time with Ronnie Wood, Sunday 13 January, BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Sounds
• Free Thinking - Icons, Thursday 17 January, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
• The Forum: Goya, Thursday 17 January, BBC World Service and BBC Sounds

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs. Plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

Superstar takeover of BBC Radio 1 on Christmas Day

Little Mix, BTS, The 1975, Charli XCX, HRVY and a Hollywood All-Star line-up including Hailee Steinfeld, John Cena, Emma Stone and Benedict Cumberbatch are set to host their own hour long shows on BBC Radio 1 this Christmas Day with festivities starting from 10am.

Holby City celebrates its 20th anniversary

2019 is set to be a major year at Holby City Hospital, as the long-running drama series will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a host of guest appearances from previous Holby classic characters and fan favourites across the anniversary year.

Baddiel & Skinner to reunite with the Lightning Seeds at BBC Sports Personality Of The Year

Twenty two years after the ultimate football anthem Three Lions was released, Frank Skinner and David Baddiel will reunite with the Lightning Seeds  at BBC Sports Personality Of The Year 2018 for an unmissable performance.

Radio

BBC Music Sound Of 2019 revealed its longlist of artists who are tipped for success next year. The longlist has been chosen by a panel of industry experts including Stormzy, BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac, Emily Eavis and Olly Alexander.

Factual

BBC Two has commissioned a social history series from 72 Films exploring the extraordinary reach of the Murdoch empire across the British press.

Entertainment

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year trophy has finally spoken out about his wonderful 65 year career living with some of the world’s greatest sporting stars.

Northern Ireland

BBC Northern Ireland have launched their Christmas Appeal, Playing Our Part: Everybody Needs Somebody. It aims to raise awareness of the effects of loneliness and to offer advice, guidance and ideas on how everybody can do something - big or small - to someone in need.

Corporate

The BBC has made the 1940s issues of the Radio Times magazine publicly available online for the first time. The release, covers World War Two, the immediate post-war years and key landmark events in British history such as the Royal Wedding in 1947 and the 1948 London Olympics.

Broadcast Highlights

• Care, Sunday 9 December, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• Mrs Wilson, Tuesday 11 December, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• Vic & Bob's Big Night Out, Wednesday 12 December, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer
• Nadiya's Party Feasts, Friday 14 December, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
• Inside Music With Matthew Barley, Saturday 8 December, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
• Jim Morrison’s Will To Be Weird, Saturday 8 December, BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Sounds
• The Documentary: When You Tire of Tech, Tuesday 11 December, BBC World Service and BBC Sounds
• Shaun Keaveny Breakfast Show, Friday 14 December, BBC Radio 6 and BBC Sounds

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs. Plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is coming to BBC Three

BBC Three and World of Wonder announced that a UK version of the award-winning global hit RuPaul’s Drag Race is coming to the channel in 2019.

BBC One launches Christmas film about cherishing time with loved ones

BBC One has launched its Christmas 2018 film, Wonderland, which will run throughout the Christmas period on the channel.
The short film illustrates families rediscovering the joy of spending time together at Christmas.

Best Christmas ever with over 100 BBC iPlayer box sets

BBC iPlayer has presents for everyone this Christmas, with a cracking selection of new shows and more than 100 box sets available at the click of a button.

Drama

Sheridan Smith, Alison Steadman and Sinead Keenan star in Care, a new 90-minute drama, Care. The drama is inspired on co-writer Gillian Juckes' real life experiences.

Killian Scott and Sarah Greene are detectives Rob Reilly and Cassie Maddox in Dublin Murders, a new psychological crime thriller for BBC One.

Sophie Cookson, James Norton, Emilia Fox and Ben Miles lead stellar cast in Amanda Coe’s six-part drama for BBC One.

Comedy

Stephen Merchant and Asim Chaudhry star as two mismatched neighbours driving across the country to pick up the one toy that will make a little girl’s Christmas dreams come true in one-off comedy, Click & Collect.

Entertainment

Top of the Pops announced the line-up for the two Christmas Day and New Year’s specials hitting BBC One screens this festive period, hosted by Fearne Cotton and BBC Radio 1’s Clara Amfo.

The five Greatest Sporting Moment of The Year nominations have been revealed ahead of BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

Children's

Tess Daly is to swap the Strictly dance floor for The Spotlight, a TV talent competition which sees a brand new boy band pitted against an all-girl group. The Spotlight is a fictional talent competition featured in new CBBC comedy drama, Almost Never.

Northern Ireland

BBC Northern Ireland is continuing its tradition of BBC Christmas Preview Screenings in Belfast, and this year there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Scotland

BBC Scotland has announced the three new personalities that will be the voice of its new channel for Scotland. Jennie Cook, George Taylor and Dominic Main were the successful candidates following a competitive interview process.

BBC Scotland is treating its audiences to a selection box of television and radio goodies which includes the return of a comedy favourite for a Hogmanay special.

World Service

BBC World Questions went to São Paulo on 4 December to host a debate on the country’s political, social and economic future - and to find out what Brazilians themselves have to say about world events.

Corporate

Directors of the British Broadcasting Corporation, ABC (Australia), Deutsche Welle, France Médias Monde, NHK (Japan) and United States Agency for Global Media today said public service broadcasting faces ‘increasing threats’ and expressed concern about ‘troubling attacks‘ on journalists around the world.

Broadcast highlights

Dynasties, Sunday 2 December, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Secrets Of British Animation, Sunday 2 December, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer
Sports Personality 2018: A Great Sporting Year, Tuesday 4 December, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
Escape From Dubai: The Mystery Of The Missing Princess, Thursday 5 December, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
Hear and Now: Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival, Saturday 1 December, BBC Radio 3 and BBC Sounds
Music Extra: Black Fire, Friday 7 December, BBC World Service and BBC Sounds
Mary Anne Hobbs, Sunday 2 December, BBC Radio 6 and BBC Sounds
In The Child's Best Interests, Tuesday 4 December BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs. Plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

A fresh new sound to BBC Radio London’s evening shows

BBC Radio London’s evening shows have six new presenters from across London’s cultural, music, comedy and spoken word worlds from Monday 26 November 8-10pm.

BBC 100 Women 2018: Who is on the list?

The names of the trailblazing women in this year’s 100 Women List have been announced. The list celebrates inspirational women across the globe - from high profile names to unsung heroes.

Winterwatch heads to the Cairngorms for 2019

Winterwatch will return to BBC Two next year, broadcasting live from a new location in the wildest landscape of the UK - the Cairngorms National Park - which is to be the new, year-round home for The Watches.

Radio

BBC Radio 4 has announced the world premier of Alexander Mackendrick’s Mary Queen of Scots, featuring Glenda Jackson. The screenplay follows the tragic life of 16th century monarch, Mary Stuart, from exile to reign, to demise, and was developed with Jay Presson-Allen.

BBC Radio has announced its on-air highlights for the festive period including, Take That sharing memories of 30 years in the band on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 6 Music is welcoming Diane Morgan, Courtney Barnett and Zawe Ashton as the three Wise Women to the airwaves this Christmas and much more.

Drama

Based on Eugene McCabe’s modern Irish classic, Death and Nightingales - a riveting story of love, betrayal and revenge - is a three part adaptation for BBC Two hitting screens on 28 November.

Katherine Kelly and Sofie Gråbøl have joined the cast of Sally Wainwright’s forthcoming eight-part drama Gentleman Jack. Katherine plays Elizabeth Sutherland, the sister of Anne Lister’s intended wife, Ann Walker. Sofie will appear towards the end of the series as Queen Marie of Denmark.

Comedy

Iconic BBC comedy Still Game will premiere its ninth - and final - series on the new BBC Scotland channel when it launches on Sunday 24 February 2019.

Factual

Rachel Johnson and her father Stanley, singer-turned-farmer JB Gill, broadcaster Stuart Maconie and actress Shobna Gulati are among the famous faces lacing up their walking boots to explore England’s most scenic riverbanks in new one-off documentary, River Walks.

Adventurer Leon McCarron dreamed about going to the Arctic since he was a child. Now he has the chance to retrace the epic 1856 voyage of one of his great heroes, and international celebrity, Lord Dufferin, in new show Groundbreakers: Dufferin - Adventures In High Latitudes.

Entertainment

Playlisters, a brand new music quiz hosted by Rochelle and Marvin Humes, is coming to BBC One in 2019. Each week, three couples will compete for a chance to win £10,000 and all they have to do is name the song and the artist.

The final batch of tickets for BBC Sports Personality of the Year go on sale today as the BBC confirms George Ezra, Paloma Faith, The Lightning Seeds and Freya Ridings are to perform at the prestigious awards.

Children's

New Bedtime Stories are now available on the BBC Kids skill on Amazon smart speakers. Little ones can now listen to a collection of new Bedtime Stories from the likes of George Ezra and Tom Hardy on the BBC Kids skill on Amazon smart speakers.

Corporate

The BBC has launched a consultation on licence fees for older people. Currently all households with people over 75 are entitled to a free TV licence. That Government-funded scheme - which is expected to cost £745m by 2021/22 - comes to an end in June 2020.

Broadcast Highlights

• Driven: The Billy Monger Story, Sunday 18 November, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
• School, Tuesday 20 November, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
• Inside The Foreign Office, Thursday 22 November, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
• David Cassidy: The Last Session, Friday 23 November, BBC Four and BBC iPlayer
• The Patch, Saturday 17 November, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
• Becoming, Monday 19 November, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
• Panjabi MC: 20 Years On…, Wednesday 21 November, BBC Asian Network and BBC Sounds
• CrowdScience: Why Can’t We All Smell The Same Things?, Friday 23 November, BBC World Service and BBC Sounds

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs. Plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

CBeebies Bedtime Stories airs its first-ever signed episode

Comedian, actor and writer Rob Delaney read a CBeebies Bedtime Story, Ten In The Bed by Penny Dale, which he also signs in Makaton - a first for the much loved show. Missed the bedtime story? Don't forget to watch it on iPlayer.

New BBC research shows nationalism is driving spread of fake news

Extensive BBC research project carried out in India, Kenya, and Nigeria shows nationalism is driving the spread of fake news.

Kurupt FM kidnap viewers in BBC’s first-ever comedy VR short

The cast of hit comedy series People Just Do Nothing kidnap viewers in the BBC’s first-ever comedy virtual reality film.

Announcements and blogs

Radio

BBC Radio 4 has announced an extensive line up of new comedy commissions, with programmes from new talent as well as well-known names such as Suggs, Bridget Christie, Twayna Mayne, Joe Lycett, Tom Allen, Rowan Atkinson, Geoff Norcott and Joanna Lumley.

BBC Radio Wales also celebrated their 40th Birthday this week. To celebrate, they went on a week-long tour of Wales, visiting Aberdare, Barmouth, Connah’s Quay and Llandrindod Wells where the station’s presenters broadcast special editions of their shows.

Drama

Mrs Wilson, a new original three-part drama for BBC One, led by award-winning actress, Ruth Wilson. The original three-part drama is also based on the life of Ruth Wilson's grandmother, Alison.

The cast of Holby City will be joined by two new actors. Former EastEnders heartthrob Jack Ryder and Olivier Award nominee Amy Lennox are due to join the cast of the long-running medical drama Holby City next year.

Factual

In December, BBC One will be taking viewers inside The Recording Studio, for a new two-part series that captures the laughter, tears and nervous anticipation as ordinary people step into a world-class studio and record a song with great meaning for them.

Comedy

Michael McIntyre's Big Show is returning to BBC One for series four, which is set to be the biggest to date.

BBC Wales has recommissioned the popular comedy series Tourist Trap. The series stars Sally Phillips as Elaine Gibbons, the hapless boss of a fictional Welsh tourism board.

World Service

The BBC World Service went to Dehli as part of its series of debates across the world led entirely by questions from the audience. BBC World Questions is an international series of English language events, allowing the public to question politicians, leaders and opinion-formers directly, face-to-face.

Corporate

The BBC has cut out more than half a million items of single-use plastic cutlery since April 2018, is purchasing renewable electricity for all major sites and piloting one of the world’s first electric broadcast vehicles, all as part of its drive to be more environmentally-friendly.

BBC Young Reporter invites young people between 11 and 18 years old across the country to take part in competition as part of new initiative aiming to give young people a voice.

Broadcast highlights

• Clique, Saturday 10 November, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer
• Dynasties, Sunday 11 November, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• They Shall Not Grow Old, Sunday 11 November, BBC Two and BBC iPlayer (until Sunday 18 November)
• Children in Need 2018, Friday 16 November, BBC One and BBC iPlayer
• The Ballads of the Great War, Saturday 10 November, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds
• The Documentary: From Truman to Trump, Tuesday 13 November, BBC World Service and BBC Sounds
• Prisoner Soul, Wednesday 14 November, BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Sounds
• BBC Radio 2 in Concert: Ed Sheeran, Thursday 15 November, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds

Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special

Six of the most-loved Strictly contestants from previous series are returning for an all-star Christmas Day special: Anita Rani (series 13), Ann Widdecombe (series 8) and Caroline Flack (series 12).

Children In Need

The new all-star lineup of presenters, Tess Daly, Graham Norton, Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan, Rochelle and Marvin Humes, and Rob Beckett, were interviewed; while it was announced that Boyzone and stars from Strictly Come Dancing will compete to win the Pudsey Glitterball Trophy 2018. Music stars including Rita Ora, Nile Rodgers and Sir Rod Stewart will also perform covers from a show on 7 November and not previously broadcast.

New Saturday show for BBC Radio 2

Rylan Clark-Neal will replace Zoe Ball to present a new Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, starting in January 2019.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

A trailer for BBC Two drama Death And Nightingales, starring Jamie Dornan and Matthew Rhys, has been released; the second series of university-set psychological thriller Clique airs weekly from 10 November on BBC Three; and stand alone drama Ups And Downs, starring Susan Lynch as the mother of a 22-year-old son with Down’s syndrome played by newcomer James Martin, is currently being filmed in and around Belfast as part of BBC Northern Ireland’s pilot New Perspectives initiative. 

Casting was also announced for the BBC One adaptation of Malorie Blackman's award-winning young adult book series Noughts + Crosses.

Factual

The producers of Dynasties, the forthcoming new David Attenborough series, introduce the show, which will be showcased in Ultra HD on the BBC iPlayer; while BBC Four announced a live 90-minute edition of the iconic science and technology programme Tomorrow’s World. BBC commissions dominated the Grierson Awards for documentaries, winning eight of 14 categories.

Four new documentaries have been commissioned for BBC One and BBC Two, including The Real Marigold Hotel On Tour; A Very Modern Grand Hotel (w/t); The Case Of Sally Challen (w/t); The Brigade (w/t), which follows a Michelin-starred chef guiding ten others on a journey across Europe.

Six celebrities (Jane Seymour; George Shelley; Phil Tufnell; Amber Le Bon; Josie D’Arby and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen) will compete to be crowned champion of BBC One’s Celebrity Painting Challenge, to air in 2019. 

Children's

An animated adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s children’s book The Snail And The Whale is in production and set to premiere on BBC One for Christmas 2019.

BBC News

Faisal Islam was appointed as the new Economics Editor; and the BBC officially opened its largest news bureau outside the UK, in Nairobi, Kenya, with the new investment part of the largest expansion of the BBC World Service since the 1940s, funded by the UK government. 

The BBC's 100 Women season returns in November, with with three weeks of programmes, features, big-name interviews and digital content across the World Service English and World News. Stephen Nolan will co-present a cross-border Brexit special with RTÉ presenter Claire Byrne on BBC One Northern Ireland on 12 November.

Corporate

More action will be taken to help disabled staff succeed and progress at the BBC following a review, including increasing the BBC’s target for disability in its workforce from 8% in 2020 to 12% in 2022.

Radio

Book Week NI, a joint initiative between BBC Northern Ireland and Libraries NI, returns for another week-long celebration of books and reading culminating in a concert.

Broadcast highlights

• Doing Money, Monday 5 November, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• WWI: The Last Tommies, Monday 5 November, BBC FOUR and BBC iPlayer
• Prince, Son And Heir: Charles At 70, Thursday 8 November, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• Boy George And Culture Club: Radio 2 In Concert, Friday 9 November, BBC FOUR and BBC iPlayer
• Guy Garvey: Recording Dad, Sunday 4 November, BBC RADIO 4 and BBC SOUNDS
• In Extremis: The Life Of War Correspondent Marie Colvin, Monday 5 November, BBC RADIO 4 and BBC SOUNDS
• Late Junction - Music Of The East Coast, From New York To Miami, Wednesday 7 November, BBC RADIO 3 and BBC SOUNDS
• Free Thinking - Why Are We Silent When Conflict Is Loud?, Thursday 8 November, BBC RADIO 3 and BBC SOUNDS 

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

BBC Sounds: new podcasts, music mixes, classic comedy and drama now available

The BBC has launched BBC Sounds, bringing together 80,000 hours of unmissable music, radio and podcasts, available live and on-demand in a personalised single app and website.

Peter Jackson's They Shall Not Grow Old to premiere on BBC Two

The Lord Of The Rings director's highly anticipated First World War archive feature film They Shall Not Grow Old is to receive its broadcast premiere exclusively on BBC Two on Sunday 11 November at 9.30pm. The film forms part of the BBC’s commemorative coverage around the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day.

Jamie Cullum to release BBC Children In Need’s official single for 2018

Love Is In The Picture was released on 31 October, will receive its debut television performance live on the 2018 BBC Children in Need Appeal Show on 16 November, at 9.50pm on BBC One. A new Stacey Dooley documentary on homeless teenagers will also be broadcast for Children In Need.

Announcements and blogs

Radio

In the New Year, Sara Cox will present new weekday Drivetime show on Radio 2, while Trevor Nelson is to present a 10pm-midnight show. The winners of the BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers Of The Year 2018 have been announced, while Samhain Live saw BBC Gaeilge, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Foyle lure listeners and viewers into Londonderry’s underworld on 31 October for the climax of the city’s famous Hallowe’en carnival.

Drama

Doing Money is a one-off drama commission for BBC Two of a shocking true story about slavery in modern Britain, while Callum Turner and Holliday Grainger are to lead the cast of BBC One’s conspiracy thriller The Capture. The BBC and FX are also to expand content partnership, meaning rights to new FX original series such as Devs, from acclaimed UK writer/director Alex Garland.

Factual

Louis Theroux returns to BBC Two on Sunday 4 November with a new series, Louis Theroux's Altered States, exploring the unusual ways modern America deals with birth, love and death.

Corporate

The BBC commissioned Frontier Economics to explore longer-term funding options relating to the over-75s TV licence concession, and the report has been published ahead of a consultation. BBC Academy’s Digital Cities Belfast Week (#DigiBelfast) returns 6-16 November with a series of free events and workshops aimed at finding new talent, developing skills and bringing the creative sector together.

Blogs

This week's blogs included: Beyond Fake News: why the World Service is putting a spotlight on distortion and manipulation; and the weekly BBC iPlayer highlights. 

Broadcast highlights

• The Little Drummer Girl, Sunday 28 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• Inside No. 9 Live: Dead Line, Sunday 28 October, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• 100 Days To Victory, Thursday 1 November, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Diagnosis On Demand? The Computer Will See You Now, Thursday 1 November, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Opera On 3 - Wagner's Ring Cycle: Das Rheingold, Saturday 27 October, BBC RADIO 3 and BBC SOUNDS
• Young, Cool, And Kazakhstani, Saturday 27 October, BBC WORLD SERVICE
• Russell Crowe's Slow Sunday, Sunday 28 October, BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC and BBC SOUNDS
• Gilbert Without Sullivan, Tuesday 30 October, BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA  

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

Emma Thompson cast in Russell T Davies' BBC One drama Years and Years

The Oscar-winner joins Jessica Hynes, Rory Kinnear, Ruth Madeley, T’Nia Miller, Anne Reid and Russell Tovey as production for Years And Years begins in Manchester.

Bodyguard is UK’s most watched drama since current records began

The finale of BBC One’s Bodyguard was watched by an audience of 17.1 million people, the UK’s most watched episode of any drama across all channels since current records began in 2002, and biggest audience outside of sporting and national events since 2010. Bodyguard is the iPlayer’s most successful box set ever, with over 38million requests.

Paddy McGuinness and Freddie Flintoff join Top Gear

Lancashire lads Paddy McGuinness, the primetime entertainment host and comedian, and former Ashes-winning England cricketer and TV presenter Freddie Flintoff, will join motoring journalist and racing-driver Chris Harris following Matt LeBlanc's announcement of his departure from the show.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

Bafta-nominated Babou Ceesay (Damilola, Our Loved Boy, Best of Enemies) and Jill Halfpenny (Three Girls, In The Club) are to lead the cast of a new thought-provoking four-part drama, Dark Mon£y, for BBC One. The A List is a tense new coming of age drama, filmed in remote locations in Scotland, arriving soon as an iPlayer box set. The cast and crew of new crime drama The Mallorca Files was also announced. 

Radio

Listening to BBC radio digitally has reached its highest proportion to date, as digital stations BBC Radio 6 Music and Radio 5 live sports extra continue to grow and BBC podcast downloads reach a record high, according to the latest figures, while BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle remains the most listened to radio station in Northern Ireland. The winners of the first BBC Radio 4 Today programme Student Journalism Awards were revealed, while long-time Radio 2 presenter Simon Mayo announced his departure from the BBC.

Children

BBC One Northern Ireland presenters for Children In Need were announced, while it was revealed that Orlando Bloom is the latest star to read a CBeebies Bedtime Story. A major new CBeebies app, Get Creative, children’s box sets on BBC iPlayer and CBeebies Bedtime Stories on smart speakers for the first time were also released in time for half term. 

Factual

BBC Two has commissioned a major new TV series documenting the huge number of archaeological discoveries being made along the length of the HS2 route, while a new four-part BBC Northern Ireland series, The Chronicles of Mourne, about an area of astounding natural beauty, begins on 29 October.  

Entertainment

The cast for new BBC One comedy series Mister Winner was announced, with stars Spencer Jones (Upstart Crow, Tim Vine Travels Through Time) in the lead role as the ironically named Leslie Winner, who, despite all his best intentions, is forever finding himself in disastrous situations. 

Sport

Kare Adenegan was crowned BBC Young Sports Personality Of The Year at the star-studded Radio 1 Teen Awards. The para-athlete this year became T34 100m WPA European champion, winning her first gold medal in senior competition, and taking silver in the T34 800m. 

Blogs

This week's blogs were: Four hundred stories for local newspapers, radio and TV: meet the BBC Shared Data Unit; The Voice of a Nation: Colin Paterson on BBC Radio Wales at 40; How our podcasts are doing; The world’s first blind war correspondent and football commentator? BBC News Arabic supporting journalists with disabilities; Behind the scenes broadcasting the Invictus Games; and the weekly BBC iPlayer highlights.

Broadcast highlights

• Doctor Who, Sunday 21 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• Invictus Games 2018, Sunday 21 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• The Lakes With Paul Rose, Monday 22 October, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Made In Great Britain, Friday 26 October, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Laura Barton’s American Road Trip, Saturday 20 October, BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA and BBC SOUNDS
• Melmoth, Monday 22 October, BBC RADIO FOUR and BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA
• The Shuffle: London’s New Jazz, Tuesday 23 October, BBC RADIO FOUR and BBC SOUNDS
• CrowdScience: Could Bionic Eyes Help Me See Again?, Friday 26 October, BBC WORLD SERVICE   

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

Children In Need star presenters for 2018

Rob Beckett is set to join Graham Norton, Tess Daly, Mel Giedroyc, Ade Adepitan, Rochelle and Marvin Humes live on 16 November. 

Highest new Doctor Who series launch ratings

The first episode of BBC One’s Doctor Who, with the new and Thirteenth Doctor played by Jodie Whittaker, attracted 10.9 million viewers. 

Future of free TV licences for over-75s

A discussion paper was published looking at inter-generational fairness and the media landscape since free TV licences for over-75s were introduced in 2000, ahead of a full report and consultation. 

Announcements and blogs

Drama

BBC One and Netflix are teaming up to co-produce Dracula from Sherlock producers Hartswood Films, and a live episode of Inside No. 9 will air for Halloween. Further images from a forthcoming production of Les Miserables have also been released.   

Radio

BBC Radio 1 named its three Teen Heroes of 2018, the young winners all proving dedication to helping others through selfless, brave and exceptional achievements. BBC Radio Wales is extending its FM coverage to an additional 400,000 people.

Corporate

New plans were unveiled to make the BBC a more inclusive workplace for staff from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Factual

More than 100 hours of television made outside of London will air during the next 12 months. A documentary series entitled Why Slavery? was announced with The Open University to coincide with International Anti-Slavery Day on 18 October, highlighting the plight of the estimated 40.3 million people living in slavery today.  

Blogs

This weeks' blogs were: The next major update for BBC Sounds; Changes to our HD portfolio and satellite transponders; Grassroots football on the BBC: why we're streaming FA Cup qualifying rounds; Transforming lives through media around the world; and the weekly BBC iPlayer highlights. 

Broadcast highlights

• Blue Peter, Tuesday 16 October, CBBC and BBC iPlayer
• Black Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us', Saturday 13 October, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Barneys, Books And Bust Ups: 50 Years Of The Booker Prize, Monday 15 October, BBC FOUR and BBC iPlayer
• Armchair Britain, Tuesday 16 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• 6 Music Celebrates The White Album With Martin Freeman, Sunday 14 October, BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC and BBC SOUNDS
• Heart And Soul: Christian Mother, Muslim Daughter, Sunday 14 October, BBC WORLD SERVICE and BBC SOUNDS
• Words And Music - Windrush: Some Kind Of Homecoming, Sunday 14 October, BBC RADIO THREE and BBC SOUNDS
• In The Studio: Johan Holstrom’s Lo-Fi Masterpiece, Tuesday 16 October, BBC WORLD SERVICE and BBC SOUNDS

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

New series of Killing Eve and Blue Planet 

The BBC has acquired the second series of the critically acclaimed female-led spy thriller Killing Eve, while across a week in March, 2019, Blue Planet Live will broadcast from the east coast of the USA, the Bahamas and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Birthday documentary on Prince Charles

Filmed during the past 12 months, Prince, Son And Heir: Charles At 70 will air in November to mark his 70th birthday and features those who know him best, including HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, and his sons, the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex.

BBC has delivered a third of £800 million savings target

An efficiency review finds the BBC has delivered a third of the £800 million of savings needed by 2021/22, but warns it has become increasingly difficult to make more savings without further impacting services.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

Academy award-winner Helen Hunt will lead a stellar cast in Peter Bowker’s epic Second World War drama World On Fire, for BBC One. Starting on 16 October, There She Goes is a BBC Four comedy-drama starring David Tennant as the father of about a severely learning disabled nine year-old girl, based on the real-life experience of writer Shaun Pye.

Entertainment

Sir Lenny Henry, Tracey Ullman and Kit Harington are also to star in an animated BBC One adaptation of much-loved children's story Zog, coming this Christmas. For Facts Sake, presented by Mrs Brown’s Boys creator and star Brendan O’Carroll, is a new celebrity quiz show coming soon for BBC One. Love in the Countryside, presented by Sara Cox, also returns to BBC Two for a second series. 

Comedy

Award-winning comedy hit Two Doors Down is on the up with a fourth series under way for transmission next year on BBC Two.

Sport

BBC One will bring audiences coverage of this year’s Invictus Games taking place in Sydney.

Factual

A second series of Family Cooking Showdown will be broadcast on BBC Two, while a one-off special of Autumnwatch will be live from the heart of one of the greatest autumnal spectacles on earth, the American Fall, in the heart of New England: Squam Lake in New Hampshire.

Music

A new landmark film, David Bowie: The First Five Years, is coming to BBC Two in 2019 and BBC Four will broadcast David Bowie at Glastonbury 2000 in October 2018. Our Classical Century celebrates the past hundred years of classical music, 1918-2018, across BBC channels starting starting next month and continuing until the Proms next year, while BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year is set to return in 2019.

Radio

BBC Radio 2 will reveal the UK's biggest-selling albums of all time on National Album Day (13 October), with other features on Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 3, Radio 4, 6 Music and BBC Four including a special on The Beatles’ The White Album presented by Martin Freeman and a Radio 4 Mastertapes episode with Elvis Costello.

The 1975, Rita Ora, Twenty One Pilots and Mumford & Sons among the 2018 line-up for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge Month.

BBC media mentoring 

Get In To Media is a new scheme is for young people in Years 12 and 13 (sixth form) to improve opportunities for sixth form students from diverse backgrounds interested in the BBC and media industry.

Blogs

This weeks' blogs were: Why we broadcast what Jamal Khashoggi told us three days before he disappeared; App around the world with BBC Learning English; BBC Films at BFI London Film Festival 2018; and the BBC iPlayer Highlights (13-19 October 2018).

Broadcast highlights

• Doctor Who, Sunday 7 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• Mediterranean with Simon Reeve, Sunday 7 October, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• This Country: The Aftermath, Wednesday 10 October, BBC THREE and BBC iPlayer
• Armchair Britain, Monday 8 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• The Republicans, Saturday 6 October, BBC RADIO 4 and BBC iPlayer Radio
• Spike Lee's 6 Music Playlist, Sunday 6 October, BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC and BBC iPlayer Radio
• Heart And Soul: Journey To Ashkenaz, Sunday 7 October, BBC WORLD SERVICE and BBC iPlayer Radio
• Top Brass, Tuesday 9 October, BBC RADIO 2 and BBC iPlayer Radio

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

Zoe Ball new host for BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show

She will start in January 2019, following Chris Evans’ announcement last month that he is leaving the UK's most listened to radio programme in December, after eight years hosting the Radio 2 Breakfast Show and 13 years on the station.

Line Of Duty: Stephen Graham as Balaclava Man for series five

The Taboo and This Is England actor will play John Corbett alongside Rochenda Sandall (Girlfriends, Broken) as Lisa McQueen - two pivotal figures in a deadly organised crime group known to have links with corrupt police officers.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

Hit drama Keeping Faith / Un Bore Mercher has been commissioned for a second series is and in production. Tom Burke and Holliday Grainger are set to return for a brand new four-part drama in the Strike series, the hit BBC One shows based on J.K. Rowling’s best-selling crime novels written under the pseudonym Robert Galbraith. New drama, as well as comedy and documentary, commissions have been announced by BBC Northern Ireland. 

Entertainment

Take That will celebrate their 30th anniversary with a BBC One programme later this year, while a host of new BBC One Daytime series presented by Nick Knowles, Catherine Fulvio, Paul Ainsworth and Matt Allwright and others have been announced for the winter. Fearne Cotton will also present a new BBC Two interior design competition series, titled Project Interiors. 

Sport

In its 65th year, BBC Sports Personality Of The Year will introduce a range of new and exciting changes to voting and categories, including that contenders for the main award being revealed on the night, and the public to decide the Greatest Sporting Moment of the Year. Tickets go on sale on 12 October. 

Radio

Charlie Sloth is stepping down from BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra after nearly a decade as a presenter, while Jonathan Sumption was unveiled as the 2019 Reith Lecturer for BBC Radio 4.

World Service

The She Word, a new BBC TV discussion programme for Africa, launched on 29 September, to explore the life experiences of women. The show is being hosted by contributors from across the continent, and is broadcast on partner stations in Kenya; Liberia; Malawi; Namibia; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Uganda and Zambia. Talk It Out is another weekly TV discussion programme for Africa, focusing on health, food and lifestyle issues, which started this week. 

Blogs

This weeks' blogs were: 1 year anniversary for Indian languages; Working with babies, Noah and Oliver; plus the weekly BBC iPlayer Highlights 6-12 October 2018.

Broadcast highlights

• Drowning In Plastic, Monday 1 October, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• The Cry, Sunday 30 September, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• George Shelley: Learning To Grieve, Sunday 30 September, BBC THREE and BBC iPlayer
• The Cod Wars Revisited, Tuesday 2 October, BBC RADIO 4 and iPLAYER RADIO
• The Weekend Documentary: The Children Of Belsen, Wednesday 3 October, BBC WORLD SERVICE and iPLAYER RADIO
• Friday Night Is Music Night, Friday 5 October, BBC RADIO TWO and iPLAYER RADIO
• Slow Radio - A European Industrial Landscape, Friday 5 October, BBC RADIO THREE and iPLAYER RADIO

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

The Apprentice is back

Lord Sugar returns for a 14th series of The Apprentice, on BBC One at 9pm and airing weekly on Wednesdays from 3 October 2018, also available live and on-demand on BBC iPlayer.

BBC Music Day 2018 

The fourth annual celebration of the power of music took place yesterday (Friday 28 September), with Kylie Minogue and many others featuring across BBC television and radio. 

Announcements and blogs

Drama

Eva Green and Eve Howson were announced as stars in a new six-part BBC Two drama, The Luminaries, adapted from the 2013 Man Booker Prize-winning novel of the same name by Eleanor Catton.

Interviews with the leads of The Cry, a four-part BBC One drama with Jenna Coleman, were announced, meanwhile BBC One’s Bodyguard ended with its highest overnight audience of the series, with a peak of 11m viewers making it the biggest drama of any channel since 2011. 

Entertainment

The longest running children’s TV show in the world - Blue Peter - celebrates 60 years on the BBC with a birthday extravaganza on Tuesday 16 October, featuring Ed Sheeran, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, classic presenters Valerie Singleton, Peter Purves, Anthea Turner, Konnie Huq and Tim Vincent and more, to be broadcast on CBBC and BBC Two. 

BBC Sports Personality of the Year will be put out for competitive tender as part of the Charter requirement to open up more of the corporation's TV programmes to competition.

Writing

BBC Writersroom has set up The Writers Access Group, a brand-new initiative to give talented disabled writers the chance to expand their writing skills and to be offered opportunities in TV and radio at the BBC.

International

On 8 October BBC World Questions comes to Vienna, to host a debate on the country’s political and economic future and to find out what Austrians themselves have to say about world events.

Blogs

This week's blogs were: North and South: a year of BBC News Korean; Tackling fake news all the year round: BBC School Report expands; Morecambe And Wise: undiscovered; Delivering a vibrant future for UK radio; Tearing up the running order: what it's like as a Radio 5 live producer; and: Explosive Bodyguard finale has everyone on the edge of their seats - best reactions; plus the weekly BBC iPlayer Highlights 29 September-5 October 2018.

Broadcast highlights

• The Mighty Redcar, Thursday 27 September, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Black Earth Rising, Monday 24 September, BBC TWO and BBC iPlayer
• Bargain Hunt (BBC Music Day), Friday 28 September, BBC ONE and BBC iPlayer
• The Conversation: Defiance, Monday 24 September, BBC WORLD SERVICE 
• Desert Island Discs Revisited - Comedy Writers: Victoria Wood, Sunday 23 September, BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA
• Late Junction - Suzanne Ciani And The London Contemporary Orchestra, Thursday 27 September, BBC RADIO 3

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

Doctor Who 

It was confirmed that the new series of Doctor Who is to land on Sunday 7 October 2018.

Strictly Come Dancing 2018

The media pack for the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing was published ahead of Saturday's first show.

Tributes to Rachael Bland

The family of Rachael Bland confirmed that she died on Wednesday morning. Rachael died peacefully at home, surrounded by her family.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

The media packs for Mike Bartlett's new drama on BBC One Press abnd Hugo Blick's Black Earth Rising were published this week. In addition, BBC Two acquired Trust, the star-studded new drama from executive producers Danny Boyle, Simon Beaufoy and Christian Colson, based on the notorious true-life kidnapping of the heir to billionaire John Paul Getty - one of the world’s wealthiest businessmen.

Meanwhile it was confirmed that BBC One’s Bodyguard is the biggest new drama on British television in over a decade
Episode one received a consolidated figure of 10.4 million viewers, with a 40.9% share.

Comedy

BBC Three announced on Wednesday a second series of the Guz Khan comedy Man Like Mobeen.

Factual

BBC Two confirmed that, following the success of Nadiya’s Family Favourites  on the network, Nadiya will return this winter for a one-off celebration special of the series.

Entertainment

Eating with My Ex, the Bafta-nominated BBC Three show which reunites former couples over dinner to pick over the bones of their failed relationships, is making the leap from a short-form series to a 10-episode long-form series.

Children's

This week BBC Bitesize celebrates its 20th birthday. In addition, BBC Kids Skill, our first voice experience for children was launched.

News

BBC News confirmed a week of special in-depth coverage to mark Brexit: Six Months to Go including access behind the scenes at Number 10 and an interview with the Prime Minister.

BBC Music

A new landmark series Our Classical Century will celebrate the greatest moments in classical music in the UK over the last 100 years.

iPlayer

This week it was confirmed that Louis Theroux and Stacey Dooley documentary box sets are to return to BBC iPlayer.

Meanwhile, sports fans helped BBC iPlayer get off to a flying start this summer. The second half of the FIFA World Cup and Wimbledon helped BBC iPlayer grow 19 per cent year-on-year in July, with requests reaching 281 million for the month.

Radio

BBC Radio 2 announced on Monday that Radio 2 Breakfast Show presenter Chris Evans will be leaving the network. Thirteen years after presenting his first show for the station, he will broadcast his last show in December 2018.

In addition, BBC Radio 3 confirmed the 'Late Junction' Festival for 2019 and on Thursday BBC Radio 3 Controller Alan Davey announced the Autumn/Winter programming for 2018.

Regional

BBC Proms in the Park in Northern Ireland has secured music legend Midge Ure, Broadway star Kim Criswell, classical guitar supremo Xuefei Yang and internationally acclaimed mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital for this year’s event in Belfast on Saturday 8 September.

Meanwhile, BBC Northern Ireland confirmed it will broadcast highlights of all Northern Ireland’s games - home and away - in the forthcoming UEFA Nations League and Euro qualifiers in the run-up to the UEFA Euro 2020 Championships.

International

Safiyya Jibril has won BBC Hausa’s women’s writing competition for 2018.

Blogs

Sinead Rocks, Director of Education blogged about BBC Bitesize at 20; and Adejuwon Soyinka, Editor, BBC News Pidgin wrote about the first year of a groundbreaking service for Africa. Director Nimer Rashed spilled the beans on what it is like Directing the 2nd Unit for BBC One's Press by Mike Bartlett and Dan Dewsbury penned Being working class is something to be proud of: filming The Mighty Redcar. In addition we had the weekly BBC iPlayer Highlights 8-14 September 2018.

Broadcast Highlights

• Mother's Day, Monday 3 September, BBC TWOWanderlust, Tuesday 4 September, BBC ONE
• The Joy Of AI, Tuesday 4 September, BBC FOUR
• Morality In The 21st Century, Monday 3 September, BBC RADIO 4
• The Conversation: Female Computer Pioneers, Monday 3 September, BBC WORLD SERVICE
• Music Planet - Highlights from the Euroradio Folk Festival in Moscow, Friday 7 September, BBC RADIO 3
  
  

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero 2018

The search for great volunteers returns as nominations for the 2018 BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award open.

Official biggest hits of Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson revealed

At the weekend BBC Radio 2 were counting down the top hits of three musical legends - Madonna, Prince and Michael Jackson, to celebrate the year in which they all would’ve turned, or recently turned, 60 years old.

Announcements and blogs

Drama

The media pack for BBC One drama Wanderlust by Nick Payne and starring Toni Collette and Steven Mackintosh was published.

Meanwhile, first-look images have been released for MotherFatherSon, Tom Rob Smith’s forthcoming original drama series for BBC Two, made by BBC Studios Drama London.

BBC Two also announced the cast for Doing Money, a shocking true story about modern slavery in Britain

Factual

It was confirmed that BBC Two's Autumnwatch is moving location. In a one-off co-production with BBC Studios Natural History Unit and PBS, the series will be coming from New England in America.

BBC Music

BBC Music announced Ariana Grande At the BBC - a world-exclusive show coming to BBC One in the autumn, presented by Davina McCall.

Regional

This week, BBC Sport NI announced live coverage of Ulster Rugby.

International

One of the world’s most popular providers of English language teaching material, BBC Learning English, has launched its free app. The BBC Learning English App brings together all of the BBC’s most popular English teaching content in a simple-to-use package.

Elsewhere, BBC World Questions - an international series of English language events created with the British Council - is coming to Copenhagen.

Blogs

This week's blogs were The making of We Are British Jews by Series Producer and Director, Lucie Kon; and Why the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero award means so much by Graeme Chilvers.

In addition, David Conway of BBC Studioworks penned Avengers, ITV, Channel 4 and of course the BBC: the new Television Centre's first 12 months; and 1Xtra's Mark Strippel considered why the BBC has a responsibility to take Drill music seriously; plus the weekly BBC iPlayer Highlights 1-7 September 2018.

Broadcast Highlights

• Bodyguard, Sunday 26 August, BBC ONE
• The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2018, Monday 27 August, BBC ONE
• Drinkers Like Me - Adrian Chiles, Monday 27 August, BBC TWO
• Upstart Crow, Wednesday 29 August, BBC TWO
• Reel Stories: Kylie Minogue, Friday 31 August, BBC IPLAYER
• BBC Ouch!, Sunday 26 August, BBC RADIO 5 LIVE
• Heart And Soul: 40 years On: The Pope And A New Catholic Ireland, Sunday 26 August, BBC WORLD SERVICE
• BBC Proms 2018 Prom 65a - Youssou Ndour & Le Super Étoile de Dakar, Friday 31 August, BBC RADIO 3

A round up of BBC announcements, press releases and blogs, plus some highlights from our TV, radio and online output from the last week.

Bodyguard

The new six-part drama from writer Jed Mercurio (Line Of Duty) will broadcast on Sunday 26 August and on Monday 27 August. 

BBC Three's Fleabag series two cast announced 

Andrew Scott (Sherlock) joins the cast as filming commences for the award-winning show. 

Peaky Blinders to move to BBC One

The Bafta award-winning drama series will move to the nation’s favourite channel for its fifth series next year.

Doctor Who

New writers and directors for the forthcoming series. 

Announcements and blogs

Corporate

After 10 years behind the microphone Matthew Bannister has decided to step down from presenting Outlook - BBC World Service’s long-running programme which celebrates extraordinary personal stories of people from across the world.

Comedy

Speaking today at the Edinburgh TV Festival, Director of BBC Content Charlotte Moore announced Scarborough and 'king Gary.

Drama

BBC One heralded The Elephant Man, a two-part drama starring Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things) as Joseph Merrick, better known as The Elephant Man. BBC Three announced The Left Behind, a single drama charting one young man's increasing attraction to the far right as a way of explaining his problems. The trailer for Press, a drama set in the fast-paced world of newspapers, was also released. 

Factual

A range of new BBC Two commissions were announced, including on The Iraq war, Mary Beard on the nude in art, a topical studio-based news discussion programme with Romesh Ranganathan, the global travel and adventure series Race Against The World, and history series The Rise Of The Nazis. BBC One also commissioned Northumbria Police, a documentary series exploring the human stories behind modern policing.  

BBC Drama announced that Nicole Taylor will pen emotional thriller The Nest for BBC One; Michaela Coel, who gave the MacTaggart Lecture at Edinburgh TV Festival, is writing a landmark drama for BBC Two Jan 22nd (w/t); and Sally Rooney will be adapting her forthcoming novel Normal People for BBC Three.

BBC Two and Netflix also announced casting as filming began on new drama thriller Giri/Haji.

BBC Four

New BBC Four commissions include ghost story The Dead Room, written and directed by Mark Gatiss and starring Simon Callow, and a history series on the Yorkshire Ripper.  

Radio

This autumn BBC Radio 4 will broadcast three new programmes examining sexuality and consent in the modern age. 

Regional

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra take up a week-long residency in and around Campbeltown (29 September-4 October). 

Blogs

The heatwave, climate change and its implications for whisky distilleries in Scotland and vineyards in southern England are discussed in a Weather World post; two World Service trainees in BBC News Arabic and in BBC News Swahili write of their experiences and how to get involved; a BBC TV news service for Gujaratis is launched; and writer and activist Eugene Grant discusses representations of dwarfism in art, related to documentary Dwarfs In Art: A New Perspective which was broadcast on 20 August.  

Broadcast Highlights

The Lenny Henry Birthday Show, Wednesday 22 August, BBC ONE
Athletics: Birmingham Grand Prix, Saturday 18 August, BBC ONE
Dwarfs In Art: A New Perspective, Monday 20 August, BBC FOUR
Go Jetters, 20-24 August, CBEEBIES
My Asian Family - The Musical, Wednesday 22 August, BBC FOUR
The Women Of NASA, Sunday 19 August, BBC RADIO 5 LIVE
Global Beats: Heavy Metal In Finland, Sunday 19 August, BBC WORLD SERVICE
BBC Proms 2018 Prom 50 - Mozart's Clarinet Concerto and Mahler's Fifth Symphony, Saturday 18 August, BBC RADIO 3
Book Of The Week: The Freedom Papers, Monday 20 August, BBC RADIO 4