BBC1 to provide more family-focused programmes

Published Wednesday 25 April 2007 at 17:15 by Matthew Hemley

BBC1’s Saturday night schedule is to be reinvigorated with a slate of new drama and entertainment programmes aimed at families, according to the Corporation’s programming statement for 2007/8.

In the statement, outlining how it intends to meet its public service remit over the next year, the BBC said its aim was to provide more family-targeted programming which would “sustain its reputation” in this field.

It also vowed to invest in new “home-grown comedy that appeals to the mainstream”.

The BBC said a number of landmark dramas were planned for 2007/8, including Cranford Chronicles with Judi Dench, and also promised to reduce the amount of peak-time repeats it shows.

Elsewhere, the Corporation said it planned to focus on “innovation in comedy” on BBC2 by developing new sitcoms, comedy formats and sketch shows, while BBC3 would continue to invest in “new and emerging comedy content and performers”.

It said: “In an environment where US comedy is increasingly the norm, BBC3 is committed to developing home-grown comedy talent as a distinctive offer that appeals to younger viewers.”

On radio, the corporation promised to broadcast at least 730 hours of original drama and readings on BBC Radio 4 and ensure that 25% of the work aired in the Afternoon Plays section of the schedule are first or second commissions from new writers.

It said the station would broadcast 180 hours of original comedy.

Meanwhile, BBC Radio 2 will “support and develop” new comedy formats, working in partnership with BBC Television.

BBC director general Mark Thompson said: “We aim to create audience value through existing programmes and services and by developing new ones.”