BBC One Controller speaks about the year ahead

BBC One Controller Danny Cohen has spoken about the year ahead for BBC One in one of the most important years in living memory for the UK.


BBC One Controller Danny Cohen (pictured) has spoken about the year ahead for BBC One in one of the most important years in living memory for the UK. This year will see the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics take centre stage across the BBC.

“The Channel is often at its most powerful when it draws the nation together and delivers high-quality coverage of the Nation’s biggest moments. We will be working hard in the coming weeks and months to deliver this for audiences, whether it be outstanding Olympics’ coverage or the grand occasions of State during the Diamond Jubilee.” – Danny Cohen

As well as the big two events and sports, Cohen wants BBC One to have an “outstanding year” with a variety of key programming from different departments. He confirms that over 20 new drama commissions will air this year. Promos have been running for a few weeks promoting ‘Original British Drama’ on the BBC. One of those, Call The Midwife, attracting near 8 million viewers last Sunday.

“In Natural History, we will launch a major new innovative project – Planet Earth Live – that will tell the global story of animals around the world at a key moment in the breeding season. In History, Jeremy Paxman returns to BBC One with a major new landmark series – Paxman’s Empire, and we will tell the story of Bomber Command with the help of Ewan and Colin McGregor.” – Cohen on History commissions for BBC One.

There will be a season looking at Disability and one at Crime. In the Spring, the BBC launches The Voice, seen as a rival to Cowell’s X Factor. Cohen ends his statement by saying: “I hope you find plenty to enjoy on BBC One in the coming months. Our aim is to deliver something for everyone – and to make the good popular, and the popular good.”