In Local Radio, the simplified schedule introduced in March will be made permanent – meaning each station will have three daytime shows and these shows will have one presenter. VideoBees rescued after two years under shed, 'Interest in e-sports will only grow and grow'. "This decision is a strange way of demonstrating that commitment," he said, adding that it was "at odds" with a pledge to do more journalism outside the south-east. Paul Adams. The BBC is to cut 450 jobs in its English regional TV news and current affairs, local radio and online news. We'll take forward lessons from Covid-19 that will make us more agile and more in touch with communities while also ensuring we're as efficient as we can be. Launching a new investigative journalism programme on BBC One for audiences in the English regions. ", Michelle Stanistreet, general secretary of the National Union of Journalists, said: "These are huge cuts which will inevitably have an impact on the BBC's ability to sustain the breadth and depth of news coverage throughout England which truly reflects the diversity of the nation.". The BBC’s 39 local radio stations in England launched the Make A Difference campaign at the start of the lockdown to help communities respond. This work is already underway with BBC England part funding the recent BBC Three documentary series Angels Of The North about a hair salon in Gateshead. The announcement comes two weeks after dozens of broadcasters from Stephen Fry to Sir Lenny Henry signed a letter asking the BBC not to cut its English regional current affairs programmes. In total, more than a million people have called or messaged the stations since the start of the campaign. That has meant taking some difficult decisions. "I'm confident we can evolve our local and regional services while improving our impact and better serving our audiences. How much does it matter what we eat in the morning and when we eat it? Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the importance of our local and regional services. “But those services were created more than 50 years ago, have changed very little and need significant reinvention. Elsewhere changes introduced in March at the start of the COVID-19 restrictions will continue. A new weekly regional investigative journalism programme will launch on BBC One featuring long-form investigative journalism. The programmes will undergo editorial and creative changes to ensure they have more impact and reach a broader audience. Helen Thomas Director BBC England at BBC Manchester. Julian Knight MP, chairman of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee, drew attention to a recent BBC statement which said it was "strongly committed to local and regional journalism". London, England, United Kingdom ... BBC Newsnight Jun 2016 - Feb 2021 4 years 9 months. Continuing work already underway to explore what more the BBC can do in the North and the Midlands to better serve audiences in those regions. Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said the corporation's local and regional services were created more than 50 years ago, and "have … Will Smith is the new prince in town! https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2018/helen-thomas iPlayer. “Last year, Helen Thomas was appointed as Director, BBC England. Miles of new bus lanes and more services promised, Hospitality bosses threaten government with court. Helen Thomas, director of BBC England, said 'difficult decisions' had to be made on local and regional services 'created more than 50 years ago'. Any shows with two hosts will go down to one. In the BBC’s Annual Plan published earlier this year, a commitment was made to increase activity in places like Bradford, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Blackpool and Peterborough. The pandemic has added a further £125m to the BBC’s savings total due to a shortfall in revenue. Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. Helen Thomas Director BBC England at BBC. The new TV show to replace the magazine programme Inside Out will feature a single 30-minute investigation per episode, and will be made in London, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Norwich. The BBC is also working on plans to better serve audiences in the North and Midlands where it plans to refocus resources. Don't miss out.. What time should you really eat breakfast? His departure follows cutbacks to regional programming brought in by Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, … 'Shaming of the Met', and chief 'refuses to quit'1, Bank governor under fire for role in RBS scandal2, Miles of new bus lanes and more services promised3, Merkel's party slumps to defeat in regional polls4, Met Police chief will not resign over vigil scenes5, Hospitality bosses threaten government with court6, Psychedelic therapy could 'reset' depressed brain7, Early Grammys go to Beyoncé, Gaga and Billie Eilish8, Farewell to lockdown locks as hairdressers reopen10. Helen represents teams and audiences across England, supported by her new leadership team, who will be based at … We must adapt to better reflect how people live their lives, how they get their news and what content they want. "Never has in-depth investigative journalism, holding people to account and reflecting the regional diversity of England been more important," it said. Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the importance of our local and regional services. Regional TV and online news teams will be merged, and there will no longer be an online editorial hub in Birmingham. ALISON BRANDWOOD. Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said the corporation's local and regional services were created more than 50 years ago, and "have changed very little and need significant reinvention". Two digital political programmes would also be piloted in Yorkshire and the Midlands. The first ever Director of BBC England has been appointed by the corporation in a bid to better serve the UK’s regions. VideoA home regained, a home lost, Capturing 'flash rips' and the 'edge of the world' VideoCapturing 'flash rips' and the 'edge of the world'. “BBC management needs to answer these questions about the future of local radio news content.” Director of BBC England Helen Thomas said: “Providing local news and information is at the heart of what our local radio stations do and always will be. “We are in the age of the Facebook community group and the WhatsApp neighbourhood chat. Paul Adams Chief Executive at British American Tobacco London. Senior Director, Ticketing at National Football League (NFL) London, England Metropolitan Area. Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the early evening regional TV news slot on BBC One has consistently been the most watched news programme on British TV, regularly reaching a quarter of the population of England.