factual

The new shows are part of a deliberate drive by the channel to offer distinctive content, in a bid to beat competition from streaming services and other broadcasters.

At the launch of the new slate, Ian Katz, the channel’s Director of Programming, said he wants to focus on “entertaining, mischievous and innovative shows about the big issues and arguments in Britain today.”

He added: “Many of the shows [launching in 2019] are not ones that the global digital giants, even as they plough billions into new content, would be remotely interested in making.”

The BBC Two documentary will be joined by a host of specialist programmes that range from the artistry of dance to new series The Novels That Shaped Our World (w/t), which will mark the 300th anniversary of Robinson Crusoe and the origins behind the British novel.

“This year we’ll be giving you a front-row seat to the best in arts and culture from celebrating the novel and the art of poetry with landmark programing, to encouraging participation in the arts with the return of Get Creative,” said Jonty Claypole, Director of Arts at BBC.

World’s Most Extraordinary Christmas Dinners will look at the lengths people go to make Christmas Day special.

The one-off programme follows people from very different backgrounds, including astronauts in space and a submarine crew, as they prepare Christmas dinner. 

The channel has also promised seasonal episodes of familiar shows.

First Dates Christmas will not only see new blind dates, but will also feature the return of some of the show's previous happy couples.

One of the panel, Lizzie Kempton, was the assistant producer on the Grierson Award-winning BBC Two film, How to Die: Simon’s Choice, which tells the story of a man with an aggressive form of motor neurone disease who chooses to end his life.

The Eastenders actor will reenact the lives of his ancestors in history series Danny Dyer's Right Royal Family.

The ITV factual controller was in discussion with Stephen McQuillan, head of factual at Bristol indie Icon Films, at an RTS West of England event in September.

Her message to producers in the room was clear – it’s the 9pm slot that is important given there are few pre-watershed slots available. Clinton-Davis said: “I’m looking for very direct, simple propositions, which will appeal to a broad audience.”

Other commissions include the deeply personal David Harewood: Psychosis and Me, and innovative new formats such as Murder, in which a crime is seen through the eyes of the professionals who investigate it. It was also announced that successful existing series including Hospital, A House Through Time and Surgeons: At The Edge Of Life have been recommissioned. 

British Asians are the biggest ethnic group in the UK, numbering over 3 million. Of this group the majority are young people, with around 60% of Pakistani and Bangladeshi Brits and just over 40% of Indians being under 30. The BBC is looking to represent the diverse culture of young British Asians in particular, dispelling the notion that they are a homogenous group and celebrating both the multiple countries of origin and distinct religions of the populations.

Dunnett was able to draw on her vast experience of developing and making programmes for all terrestrial channels. She joined Channel 4 from Scottish indie Raise the Roof in 2016 where her credits included BBC One’s Holiday of My Lifetime with Len Goodman.

The masterclass helped students understand how different types of programmes fit into the schedules by unpicking popular programmes to show the simple rules of formatted factual.

The RTS Midlands event was held at the National Motorcycle Museum on Solihull on the same day as the Centre’s Programme Awards.

Andrew Billen wonders if BBC head of factual Alison Kirkham can fly higher still and compete against the US giants