Scoop is a dramatized feature about the BBC’s Newsnight team scoring a sensationally revealing 2019 interview with Prince Andrew about his relationship with millionaire sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. For a film about a journalistic exclusive, it has the most generic title possible. There are already at least four other movies out there called Scoop, including a rubbishy 2006 Woody Allen film and a 1987 adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s peerless 1938 satirical novel, a twofer satire of both the press and the British aristocracy.
Sadly, this latest Scoop has none of Waugh’s acid wit or alkaline intelligence. Although serviceable as a retread of the events that led up to the royal interview conducted by Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis (impersonated here by Gillian Anderson), an interview recreated for big chunks of the running time, it doesn’t significantly deepen or enrich our understanding of the personalities involved — let alone journalism, privilege, sexual exploitation or the price of fish.
Sadly, this latest Scoop has none of Waugh’s acid wit or alkaline intelligence. Although serviceable as a retread of the events that led up to the royal interview conducted by Newsnight anchor Emily Maitlis (impersonated here by Gillian Anderson), an interview recreated for big chunks of the running time, it doesn’t significantly deepen or enrich our understanding of the personalities involved — let alone journalism, privilege, sexual exploitation or the price of fish.
- 4/4/2024
- by Leslie Felperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A new Prime Video series will tackle the royal family drama that The Crown won’t touch. The streamer’s upcoming limited series A Very Royal Scandal focuses on Prince Andrew’s infamous 2019 interview with the BBC, which drew fresh attention to the sexual assault allegations against the prince and his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Michael Sheen will play Prince Andrew Michael Sheen | Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
Who will step into the Andrew role in A Very Royal Scandal? Michael Sheen will take play the prince, according to Variety. Ruth Wilson will play Emily Maitlis, the BBC interviewer who grilled the Duke of York about Virginia Giuffre’s claims that he’d assaulted her when she was a teen, as well as his ties to Epstein. The blowback from the interview eventually forced the prince to step away from his royal duties.
A Very Royal Scandal is in production in the U.
Michael Sheen will play Prince Andrew Michael Sheen | Dominik Bindl/Getty Images
Who will step into the Andrew role in A Very Royal Scandal? Michael Sheen will take play the prince, according to Variety. Ruth Wilson will play Emily Maitlis, the BBC interviewer who grilled the Duke of York about Virginia Giuffre’s claims that he’d assaulted her when she was a teen, as well as his ties to Epstein. The blowback from the interview eventually forced the prince to step away from his royal duties.
A Very Royal Scandal is in production in the U.
- 11/26/2023
- by Megan Elliott
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: Netflix’s movie about the BBC’s bombshell 2019 interview with Prince Andrew has rounded out its cast after going into production last month.
Rufus Sewell plays the shamed royal in Scoop, while Gillian Anderson has been cast as his interrogator: the former Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis.
They have been joined by Sex Education star Connor Swindells, who will play Jae Donnelly, the photographer who snapped Prince Andrew walking in Central Park with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Romola Garai, who has starred in The Hour and Atonement, will play Esme Wren, the editor of Newsnight at the time of the interview. Wren is now the editor of Channel 4 News.
Charity Wakefield has been cast as Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew. Wakefield has previously featured in Wolf Hall.
Lia Williams (The Capture) is set as Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s former director of news. Amanda Redman (Sexy Beast...
Rufus Sewell plays the shamed royal in Scoop, while Gillian Anderson has been cast as his interrogator: the former Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis.
They have been joined by Sex Education star Connor Swindells, who will play Jae Donnelly, the photographer who snapped Prince Andrew walking in Central Park with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Romola Garai, who has starred in The Hour and Atonement, will play Esme Wren, the editor of Newsnight at the time of the interview. Wren is now the editor of Channel 4 News.
Charity Wakefield has been cast as Princess Beatrice, the daughter of Prince Andrew. Wakefield has previously featured in Wolf Hall.
Lia Williams (The Capture) is set as Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s former director of news. Amanda Redman (Sexy Beast...
- 3/14/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC has appointed ITN chief executive Deborah Turness as its CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs.
Turness, who effectively takes on one of the most high-profile news roles in the U.K., takes over from Fran Unsworth following what the BBC has described as a “competitive” recruitment process. The latter 40-year BBC veteran revealed in September that she would be stepping down at the end of January.
A trailblazer in the world of news, Turness served as the first president of NBC News International, the global arm of the U.S. broadcaster’s news division, where she was responsible for overseeing its operations including editorial, production and commercial. She joined NBC News in 2013, becoming the first woman in the U.S. to be president of a network news division, leading a team of over 3,000 journalists and technicians.
At NBC News, she oversaw all editorial content and commercial revenues,...
Turness, who effectively takes on one of the most high-profile news roles in the U.K., takes over from Fran Unsworth following what the BBC has described as a “competitive” recruitment process. The latter 40-year BBC veteran revealed in September that she would be stepping down at the end of January.
A trailblazer in the world of news, Turness served as the first president of NBC News International, the global arm of the U.S. broadcaster’s news division, where she was responsible for overseeing its operations including editorial, production and commercial. She joined NBC News in 2013, becoming the first woman in the U.S. to be president of a network news division, leading a team of over 3,000 journalists and technicians.
At NBC News, she oversaw all editorial content and commercial revenues,...
- 1/6/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
ITN CEO Deborah Turness, a former NBC News President, has been appointed CEO of BBC News and Current Affairs, replacing Fran Unsworth.
Turness, who will be paid £400,000 per year, will be responsible for a team of 6,000 journalists that is shifting to digital, moving out of London and losing hundreds of staff as part of a multimillion-pound savings drive. Her salary will be an increase on Unsworth’s by £60,000.
BBC Director General Tim Davie said she “brings a wealth of experience, insight, first-class editorial judgement, and a strong track record of delivery.”
“She is a passionate advocate for the power of impartial journalism and a great believer in the BBC and the role we play, in the UK and globally,” he added.
Turness said: “In the UK and around the world there has never been a greater need for the BBC’s powerful brand of impartial, trusted journalism. It is a...
Turness, who will be paid £400,000 per year, will be responsible for a team of 6,000 journalists that is shifting to digital, moving out of London and losing hundreds of staff as part of a multimillion-pound savings drive. Her salary will be an increase on Unsworth’s by £60,000.
BBC Director General Tim Davie said she “brings a wealth of experience, insight, first-class editorial judgement, and a strong track record of delivery.”
“She is a passionate advocate for the power of impartial journalism and a great believer in the BBC and the role we play, in the UK and globally,” he added.
Turness said: “In the UK and around the world there has never been a greater need for the BBC’s powerful brand of impartial, trusted journalism. It is a...
- 1/6/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
One of the BBC’s most prominent journalists, Laura Kuenssberg, will step down from her role as political editor in spring 2022, the broadcaster has confirmed.
Kuenssberg will stay with the Beeb, however, moving into a presenting and reporting role across TV, radio and online. She will stay within the news and current affairs beat.
The BBC will begin a “competitive recruitment process” to searching for her replacement.
Laura began her career as a political correspondent at the BBC in 2003 before moving to ITV News in 2011. She rejoined the BBC in 2015 as political editor, becoming the first woman in the post.
During her time in the role she has covered two elections, the 2016 Brexit referendum and the Covid-19 pandemic. As well as her regular reporting, she has also produced two documentaries about Brexit and a podcast about the government’s response to the pandemic, written for the BBC’s website and...
Kuenssberg will stay with the Beeb, however, moving into a presenting and reporting role across TV, radio and online. She will stay within the news and current affairs beat.
The BBC will begin a “competitive recruitment process” to searching for her replacement.
Laura began her career as a political correspondent at the BBC in 2003 before moving to ITV News in 2011. She rejoined the BBC in 2015 as political editor, becoming the first woman in the post.
During her time in the role she has covered two elections, the 2016 Brexit referendum and the Covid-19 pandemic. As well as her regular reporting, she has also produced two documentaries about Brexit and a podcast about the government’s response to the pandemic, written for the BBC’s website and...
- 12/20/2021
- by K.J. Yossman
- Variety Film + TV
One of the BBC’s veteran presenters, Andrew Marr, is leaving after more than 20 years amid a corporation-wide crackdown on impartiality.
The host of the “Andrew Marr Show” on BBC One, a mainstay political program on Sunday mornings, revealed on Friday that he is joining media org Global, where he will continue to present and write for various programs as well as newspapers.
“After 21 years, I have decided to move on from the BBC,” said Marr in a statement posted to Twitter. “l leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues. But from the New Year I am moving to Global to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers.
“I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade, and as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back. I have been doing the...
The host of the “Andrew Marr Show” on BBC One, a mainstay political program on Sunday mornings, revealed on Friday that he is joining media org Global, where he will continue to present and write for various programs as well as newspapers.
“After 21 years, I have decided to move on from the BBC,” said Marr in a statement posted to Twitter. “l leave behind many happy memories and wonderful colleagues. But from the New Year I am moving to Global to write and present political and cultural shows, and to write for newspapers.
“I think British politics and public life are going to go through an even more turbulent decade, and as I’ve said, I am keen to get my own voice back. I have been doing the...
- 11/19/2021
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Fran Unsworth, the lifelong BBC employee who currently occupies one of 12 board seats, is departing the broadcaster next year.
The exec has been at the organization for 40 years and has been running the BBC’s news and current affairs division since 2018. Her recent remits include steering Covid-19 and Brexit coverage. She also saw the org through numerous controversies over the years, including equal pay across gender lines, as well as the Cliff Richard incident – when the broadcaster filmed a police raid of his home – that saw the BBC ultimately apologize and pay the musician damages.
The move comes amidst an upheaval of the broadcaster’s news division, which is resulting in 250 job cuts.
This summer, Unsworth was part of a row over the appointment of former Newsnight deputy editor Jess Brammar to a senior role in BBC News. The Financial Times reported that fellow BBC board member Robbie Gibb contacted...
The exec has been at the organization for 40 years and has been running the BBC’s news and current affairs division since 2018. Her recent remits include steering Covid-19 and Brexit coverage. She also saw the org through numerous controversies over the years, including equal pay across gender lines, as well as the Cliff Richard incident – when the broadcaster filmed a police raid of his home – that saw the BBC ultimately apologize and pay the musician damages.
The move comes amidst an upheaval of the broadcaster’s news division, which is resulting in 250 job cuts.
This summer, Unsworth was part of a row over the appointment of former Newsnight deputy editor Jess Brammar to a senior role in BBC News. The Financial Times reported that fellow BBC board member Robbie Gibb contacted...
- 9/7/2021
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Fran Unsworth, BBC director of news and current affairs, will leave the BBC in Jan. 2022. Unsworth was in the role from Jan. 2018 and oversaw all of the BBC’s news and current affairs programming.
The process to appoint her successor will begin shortly, the BBC said.
Unsworth began her journalistic career in 1980 in BBC local radio, joining Radio 1’s Newsbeat. She had a stint as a network radio producer in Washington DC and later joined Radio 4’s The World At One and Pm. She was appointed the BBC’s home news Editor and, in 2001, head of political programs. In 2005 she became head of news gathering, running one of the world’s largest news gathering operations with bureaux across the world. Between Nov. 2012 and Aug. 2013 she was the BBC’s acting director of news and current affairs, and then deputy director of BBC News and current affairs. Unsworth became the first...
The process to appoint her successor will begin shortly, the BBC said.
Unsworth began her journalistic career in 1980 in BBC local radio, joining Radio 1’s Newsbeat. She had a stint as a network radio producer in Washington DC and later joined Radio 4’s The World At One and Pm. She was appointed the BBC’s home news Editor and, in 2001, head of political programs. In 2005 she became head of news gathering, running one of the world’s largest news gathering operations with bureaux across the world. Between Nov. 2012 and Aug. 2013 she was the BBC’s acting director of news and current affairs, and then deputy director of BBC News and current affairs. Unsworth became the first...
- 9/7/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
A new current affairs series for BBC Two will chart the relationship of couples Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, and Prince William and Kate Middleton with the media.
Presented by BBC media editor Amol Rajan for the BBC Two channel, the two-part series features over 50 hours of interviews, conducted over several months, and tracks the divergent paths taken by the two sets of younger Royals. Rajan meets the journalists who started covering the story, and then found themselves becoming a part of it. His reporting will explain what these events reveal about the pillars of modern Britain, the monarchy and the media, and the real story behind their fraught, complex and changing relationship.
The program will be accompanied by a Radio 4 podcast for BBC Sounds that will dive deeper into different aspects of the story.
BBC Two has also commissioned an interview series that sees Rajan conduct in-depth interviews with...
Presented by BBC media editor Amol Rajan for the BBC Two channel, the two-part series features over 50 hours of interviews, conducted over several months, and tracks the divergent paths taken by the two sets of younger Royals. Rajan meets the journalists who started covering the story, and then found themselves becoming a part of it. His reporting will explain what these events reveal about the pillars of modern Britain, the monarchy and the media, and the real story behind their fraught, complex and changing relationship.
The program will be accompanied by a Radio 4 podcast for BBC Sounds that will dive deeper into different aspects of the story.
BBC Two has also commissioned an interview series that sees Rajan conduct in-depth interviews with...
- 3/11/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
French In Motion Sets Up In LA
Exclusive: French In Motion, the non-profit that brings together French and American professionals from the film and TV industry is launching a chapter in Los Angeles, with Martine Melloul set to run the new office. Headquartered in New York with an existing chapter in Washington DC, the org supports international co-productions and collaborations between France and the United States through its partnership with the Gotham Film & Media Institute and has been doing so since 2016. The org is also creating an honorary board, composed of talent from the independent film and television industry whose work and influence span both sides of the Atlantic. U.S.-based French filmmakers Mathieu Demy and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire have both joined the board alongside French In Motion’s Founder Nathalie Perus.
Msr Hire
Production outfit Msr Media has appointed Nick Royak to the newly-created role of Vice President of Development.
Exclusive: French In Motion, the non-profit that brings together French and American professionals from the film and TV industry is launching a chapter in Los Angeles, with Martine Melloul set to run the new office. Headquartered in New York with an existing chapter in Washington DC, the org supports international co-productions and collaborations between France and the United States through its partnership with the Gotham Film & Media Institute and has been doing so since 2016. The org is also creating an honorary board, composed of talent from the independent film and television industry whose work and influence span both sides of the Atlantic. U.S.-based French filmmakers Mathieu Demy and Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire have both joined the board alongside French In Motion’s Founder Nathalie Perus.
Msr Hire
Production outfit Msr Media has appointed Nick Royak to the newly-created role of Vice President of Development.
- 2/10/2021
- by Tom Grater and Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
International powerhouse BBC Studios is leaning heavily into new and expanding SVOD partnerships with the likes of Discovery and its global-facing BritBox service as it looks to weather the Covid-19 era.
In an exclusive interview, Paul Dempsey, president of global distribution, tells Variety that BBC Studios’ landmark Discovery deal, through which the “Blue Planet II” and “Seven Worlds, One Planet” distributor is supplying around $393 million worth of natural history programming to Discovery’s forthcoming streamer, is a “good example of what you can expect to see from us over the next few years.”
“Over time, we’re moving from having a content sales business driven by relationships with 600-700 customers around the world and our own linear services, to a world that will be dominated by a group that’s more global in their outlook — large customers with whom we’ll have deeper relationships,” says Dempsey. Look no further than...
In an exclusive interview, Paul Dempsey, president of global distribution, tells Variety that BBC Studios’ landmark Discovery deal, through which the “Blue Planet II” and “Seven Worlds, One Planet” distributor is supplying around $393 million worth of natural history programming to Discovery’s forthcoming streamer, is a “good example of what you can expect to see from us over the next few years.”
“Over time, we’re moving from having a content sales business driven by relationships with 600-700 customers around the world and our own linear services, to a world that will be dominated by a group that’s more global in their outlook — large customers with whom we’ll have deeper relationships,” says Dempsey. Look no further than...
- 8/5/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
BBC Studios has appointed CFO Tom Fussell as interim CEO from September. The executive takes over from Tim Davie, who recently landed the top director general job at the BBC.
Fussell takes the reins as of Sept. 1. However, Variety understands he has informed staff that he doesn’t plan to apply for the permanent role. An open recruitment process for the next CEO is underway, with the role now advertised and an appointment anticipated by the distributor this fall.
It was thought that Paul Dempsey, president of global distribution for BBC Studios, would take on the job, which is believed to be among the most lucrative distribution gigs in the U.K. However, Variety understands that Dempsey has not put himself forward.
BBC Studios normally sets out its annual results in July, but this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, BBC Studios and the BBC’s accounts are being signed off later,...
Fussell takes the reins as of Sept. 1. However, Variety understands he has informed staff that he doesn’t plan to apply for the permanent role. An open recruitment process for the next CEO is underway, with the role now advertised and an appointment anticipated by the distributor this fall.
It was thought that Paul Dempsey, president of global distribution for BBC Studios, would take on the job, which is believed to be among the most lucrative distribution gigs in the U.K. However, Variety understands that Dempsey has not put himself forward.
BBC Studios normally sets out its annual results in July, but this year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, BBC Studios and the BBC’s accounts are being signed off later,...
- 7/28/2020
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC is planning to move ahead with a significant redundancy scheme in its news division after putting the savings plan on hold at the height of the coronavirus crisis.
The British broadcaster announced in January that it would cut 450 jobs in its newsroom, but the measures were then paused in March. The so-called “modernisation plan” is now being revisited, but the number of roles at risk has swelled to 520 as the corporation aims to find new Covid-related savings.
The BBC needs to save £125M ($158M), on top of previously identified cuts of £800M, by March 2022 as a result of its income being impacted by the pandemic in recent months. The news division is contributing more than £80M to this savings target.
The big change the BBC wants to make to its newsroom structure is pooling resources so journalists serve different programs and platforms, including TV, radio and online. The...
The British broadcaster announced in January that it would cut 450 jobs in its newsroom, but the measures were then paused in March. The so-called “modernisation plan” is now being revisited, but the number of roles at risk has swelled to 520 as the corporation aims to find new Covid-related savings.
The BBC needs to save £125M ($158M), on top of previously identified cuts of £800M, by March 2022 as a result of its income being impacted by the pandemic in recent months. The news division is contributing more than £80M to this savings target.
The big change the BBC wants to make to its newsroom structure is pooling resources so journalists serve different programs and platforms, including TV, radio and online. The...
- 7/15/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC will not receive a dividend from commercial arm BBC Studios this year due to the financial impact of the Covid-19 crisis.
Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s director of news and current affairs, has said there would be no dividend from BBC Studios due to “the collapse of production and advertising revenues.”
“The BBC’s financial position has gotten worse,” she explained in a webinar held by the Royal Television Society on Thursday.
Last year, BBC Studios profits more than doubled and the outfit returned a total of £243 million ($302 million) to the BBC, including £65 million ($81 million) in dividends. The division is led by Tim Davie, who was last week tapped to replace outgoing director general Tony Hall.
This year’s results, expected in July, will shed more light on the extent of the pandemic’s toll on earnings. However, the BBC’s Annual Plan last month suggested the health...
Fran Unsworth, the BBC’s director of news and current affairs, has said there would be no dividend from BBC Studios due to “the collapse of production and advertising revenues.”
“The BBC’s financial position has gotten worse,” she explained in a webinar held by the Royal Television Society on Thursday.
Last year, BBC Studios profits more than doubled and the outfit returned a total of £243 million ($302 million) to the BBC, including £65 million ($81 million) in dividends. The division is led by Tim Davie, who was last week tapped to replace outgoing director general Tony Hall.
This year’s results, expected in July, will shed more light on the extent of the pandemic’s toll on earnings. However, the BBC’s Annual Plan last month suggested the health...
- 6/11/2020
- by Steve Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has appointed BBC Studios CEO and ex-marketing maven Tim Davie as the successor to Tony Hall.
Davie is an experienced BBC operator and is believed to have been interviewed formally in the last week for the role, alongside the other internal candidate, director of content Charlotte Moore.
Hall announced his decision to stand down in January and throughout the appointments process, Davie, briefly acting as director general in 2012, has been the front runner.
Davie — who is now responsible for the creative, editorial and operational leadership of the BBC within the U.K. and around the world — will officially take over the role from Sept. 1.
He becomes the 17th director general of the BBC, with an annual salary set at £525,000. The BBC has said the role’s remuneration has not risen since 2012 and that “this is the level the salary would have been had inflation been applied.”
Davie has...
Davie is an experienced BBC operator and is believed to have been interviewed formally in the last week for the role, alongside the other internal candidate, director of content Charlotte Moore.
Hall announced his decision to stand down in January and throughout the appointments process, Davie, briefly acting as director general in 2012, has been the front runner.
Davie — who is now responsible for the creative, editorial and operational leadership of the BBC within the U.K. and around the world — will officially take over the role from Sept. 1.
He becomes the 17th director general of the BBC, with an annual salary set at £525,000. The BBC has said the role’s remuneration has not risen since 2012 and that “this is the level the salary would have been had inflation been applied.”
Davie has...
- 6/5/2020
- by Steve Clarke and Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
U.K. broadcaster the BBC has temporarily put on hold a restructuring plan that would have axed 450 jobs in its news division and saved the corporation £80 million ($94 million) by 2022.
The restructuring plan was announced in January. On Wednesday, BBC director general Tony Hall informed staff that this has been paused for now. The corporation is now focusing on timely delivery of coronavirus news and related programming to its audience.
BBC programs affected by the plans include BBC Two’s “Newsnight,” “BBC Radio 5 Live” and the BBC World Service’s “World Update” program. “Politics Live” and “Victoria Derbyshire” are already off air.
Last week, the BBC put on hold plans to make some folks over the age of 75 pay for TV license fee, pushing the date back from June 1 to August. The corporation also announced a revamp of its programming schedule in order to keep audiences “informed, educated and entertained.”
“We...
The restructuring plan was announced in January. On Wednesday, BBC director general Tony Hall informed staff that this has been paused for now. The corporation is now focusing on timely delivery of coronavirus news and related programming to its audience.
BBC programs affected by the plans include BBC Two’s “Newsnight,” “BBC Radio 5 Live” and the BBC World Service’s “World Update” program. “Politics Live” and “Victoria Derbyshire” are already off air.
Last week, the BBC put on hold plans to make some folks over the age of 75 pay for TV license fee, pushing the date back from June 1 to August. The corporation also announced a revamp of its programming schedule in order to keep audiences “informed, educated and entertained.”
“We...
- 3/25/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has caused the BBC to suspend production of its long-running dramas “EastEnders,” “Casualty,” “Doctors” and “Holby City.”
“In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on all BBC Studios continuing dramas will be postponed until further notice,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
“The decision was made after the latest government update. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organization and public health organizations.”
“EastEnders” had been running every weeknight, except Wednesdays, since 2001. Broadcasts of taped episodes will now be reduced to Mondays and Tuesdays, effective immediately.
The BBC has also announced several changes to its news output. The “Politics Live” and “Victoria Derbyshire” programs have been temporarily rescheduled in order for the corporation to concentrate on core news service programs like “Breakfast,” “News at One,” “News at Six,” and “News at Ten.
“In light of the spread of Covid-19, after much consideration, it has been decided that filming on all BBC Studios continuing dramas will be postponed until further notice,” the broadcaster said in a statement.
“The decision was made after the latest government update. We will continue to follow the latest news and advice from the World Health Organization and public health organizations.”
“EastEnders” had been running every weeknight, except Wednesdays, since 2001. Broadcasts of taped episodes will now be reduced to Mondays and Tuesdays, effective immediately.
The BBC has also announced several changes to its news output. The “Politics Live” and “Victoria Derbyshire” programs have been temporarily rescheduled in order for the corporation to concentrate on core news service programs like “Breakfast,” “News at One,” “News at Six,” and “News at Ten.
- 3/18/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
After weeks of UK government press briefings dripping poison on the BBC’s funding model, Boris Johnson appears ready to push ahead with plans that could weaken the corporation’s ability to collect its licence fee revenue. It means one of the prime minister’s first domestic policies since winning a thumping majority in last year’s general election is effectively a declaration of war on the BBC.
According to a report in the Financial Times, the government will next week launch a consultation on decriminalizing licence fee evasion, meaning people would not face a jail sentence if they refused to pay the £154.50 annual fee to access the BBC’s services across TV, radio and online. The government is concerned that the current system is unfair and disproportionate.
It would mean revisiting an issue the government looked into only five years ago, when an independent review by David Perry QC...
According to a report in the Financial Times, the government will next week launch a consultation on decriminalizing licence fee evasion, meaning people would not face a jail sentence if they refused to pay the £154.50 annual fee to access the BBC’s services across TV, radio and online. The government is concerned that the current system is unfair and disproportionate.
It would mean revisiting an issue the government looked into only five years ago, when an independent review by David Perry QC...
- 1/31/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
The BBC is to cut 450 jobs in its news operation as part of a cost-cutting exercise.
The BBC, which remains the U.K.’s most widely consumed source of news, said it planned to reorganize its newsroom along a “story-led” model, focusing on news stories more than on programs or platforms.
This is designed to reduce duplication and to stop stories only appearing on one of the BBC’s many outlets or platforms.
The changes will also mean a reduction in the overall number of stories covered by the BBC.
The cuts are part of an attempt by BBC News to save £80 million by 2022, caused by funding pressures on the BBC, including the last license fee settlement.
BBC News has already saved about £40 million of this and said the changes announced today should complete the savings.
As part of the cuts there will be a reduction in the number of...
The BBC, which remains the U.K.’s most widely consumed source of news, said it planned to reorganize its newsroom along a “story-led” model, focusing on news stories more than on programs or platforms.
This is designed to reduce duplication and to stop stories only appearing on one of the BBC’s many outlets or platforms.
The changes will also mean a reduction in the overall number of stories covered by the BBC.
The cuts are part of an attempt by BBC News to save £80 million by 2022, caused by funding pressures on the BBC, including the last license fee settlement.
BBC News has already saved about £40 million of this and said the changes announced today should complete the savings.
As part of the cuts there will be a reduction in the number of...
- 1/29/2020
- by Tim Dams
- Variety Film + TV
The BBC has announced plans to layoff 450 employees in its news division, with a number of flagship shows and services being scaled back in a bid to save £80M ($104M) by March 2022.
The BBC has already acknowledged plans to axe BBC Two news brand The Victoria Derbyshire Show, but staff were today briefed on the full cost-saving proposals by Fran Unsworth, the head of news and current affairs. The 450 job cuts represent 7.5% of BBC News’ 6,000-strong workforce.
Under the plans, the BBC is going to pool its resources so journalists serve different programs and platforms, including TV, radio and online. The BBC said this was part of an effort to “reduce duplication,” but added that it will result in a reduction in the number of stories the corporation pursues.
It provided some early insight on how this will work in practice. BBC Two’s tentpole current affairs show Newsnight will...
The BBC has already acknowledged plans to axe BBC Two news brand The Victoria Derbyshire Show, but staff were today briefed on the full cost-saving proposals by Fran Unsworth, the head of news and current affairs. The 450 job cuts represent 7.5% of BBC News’ 6,000-strong workforce.
Under the plans, the BBC is going to pool its resources so journalists serve different programs and platforms, including TV, radio and online. The BBC said this was part of an effort to “reduce duplication,” but added that it will result in a reduction in the number of stories the corporation pursues.
It provided some early insight on how this will work in practice. BBC Two’s tentpole current affairs show Newsnight will...
- 1/29/2020
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
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