BBC One Controller resigns! 

5 October 2007 tbs.pm/57

Well, here we go again. In the wake of “Queengate”, the controller of BBC1 Peter Fincham has resigned with Roly Keating taking over on a temporary basis.

It wasn’t that long ago when Lorraine Heggessey left as BBC1 controller. About 2 years ago actually. Back then I wrote a piece about what I wanted to see BBC1 doing. It was my second In The Controller’s Chair piece. My first one had been for BBC Three.

In the two years since I wrote it, very little has changed. The only main change is that the news bulletins and Breakfast are mostly simulcasts on both BBC1 and BBC News 24. I’m inclined to end this practice as the requirements for BBC1 news and BBC News 24 are very different, but it will be a case of when it’s affordable to do it, it will be done.

I would also like to up the regional programming provision, in the face of ITV1 cutting back on their regional programming. Whilst Inside Out works as a magazine format on BBC1, there is room for other types of programming as well. There is a need for a strong, regional current affairs programme. There is also a need for regional sports, plus some regional features programming, which if successful might be aired on the network.

I know I do go on a bit sometimes about regionalism, but I do believe that the BBC should be encouraging more programming from outside London.

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Liverpool, Friday 29 March 2024