C2 - news archive

This is an archive of news about C2. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

Fogle, Cracknell to ski 450 miles for BBC2
From Digital Spy. Posted July 5 2008, 6.34am
Ben Fogle and James Cracknell are to follow their Atlantic rowing adventure with a South Pole ski race challenge. (more)

BBC2 plans property series with Urban Splash
From Digital Spy. Posted July 4 2008, 9.18am
BBC Two will follow a group of amateur designers as they build homes "with a difference" in a street in Manchester. (more)

Andrew Anthony on television: When Tim is sent to commentary
From Media Guardian. Posted June 28 2008, 11.08pm
Andrew Anthony on television: Wimbledon BBC1, Euro 2008 semi-final, Top Gear BBC2, Gok's Fashion Fix C4, Upstairs Downstairs Love C4 (more)

Sky News new beta site
From Journalism.co.uk. Posted June 25 2008, 12.35pm
Sky News has launched a beta version of its new website, to run in parallel with its existing news site. It has adopted a top story carousel for the homepage that displays the latest breaking news in video and pictures. It has also added a story tracker in the right column, which lets you follow a story as it develops, and in the left column a See Your News personalisation feature. "What you are visiting is very much work in progress. We are testing and trialling new features and a very different design," Steve Bennedik, editor of Sky News Networked Media, wrote on his blog. "At the same time we are still offering our existing site. When we are ready, we will switch off the old site and this will be our public face." http://blogs.news.sky.com/editorsblog/Post:68413633-1b1b-46c3-a21a-e6e2db41a8c2 (more)

TV ratings - June 24: Murray victory draws Wimbledon viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted June 25 2008, 10.34am
Nearly 4 million viewers watched BBC2's coverage of Andy Murray winning his first round match at Wimbledon. By John Plunkett (more)

French designer to lead BBC2 reality show
From Digital Spy. Posted June 24 2008, 9.13pm
Budding designers will compete to impress a French style guru in an upcoming BBC Two series. (more)

Philippe Starck: French designer to front BBC2 reality series
From Media Guardian. Posted June 24 2008, 3.20pm
Philippe Starck is to front a new BBC2 series in which he will attempt to discover the next generation of British design talent. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

'Top Gear' return puts BBC2 in fast lane
From Digital Spy. Posted June 23 2008, 2.33pm
The return of Top Gear draws a strong audience for BBC Two despite tough competition. (more)

Kathryn Flett on television: Surrogate mothers and secret fathers
From Media Guardian. Posted June 21 2008, 11.10pm
Kathryn Flett on television: Tribal Wives BBC2, The Father, the Son and the Housekeeper BBC4, My Child Won't Eat ITV1 (more)

TV ratings - June 18: Tribal Wives beaten by River Cottage
From Media Guardian. Posted June 19 2008, 1.40pm
BBC2's Tribal Wives debuted with 2.3 million viewers, but Channel 4's River Cottage Spring pulled in 2.6 million in the same slot. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

Uma Thurman to star in BBC2 Hare adaptation
From The Stage. Posted June 19 2008, 12.10pm
(more)

Uma Thurman to star in a BBC2 drama scripted by playwright David Hare
From Media Guardian. Posted June 19 2008, 9.09am
Hollywood star Uma Thurman is to feature in a BBC2 drama scripted by playwright David Hare. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

My media: Giles Coren, co-presenter of The Supersizers Go ... on BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted June 15 2008, 11.03pm
Giles Coren, co-presenter of The Supersizers Go ... on BBC2 (more)

Sam Wollaston on Liverpool and Peep Show
From Media Guardian. Posted June 6 2008, 11.07pm
Sam Wollaston on Alexei Sayle's Liverpool (BBC2) and Peep Show (Channel 4) (more)

Lucy Mangan: Taggart is now in its 852nd year. And guess what - this week they're hunting a murrrderrerrr
From Media Guardian. Posted June 5 2008, 11.11pm
Lucy Mangan on Taggart (ITV1), House (Five) and Heroes (BBC2) (more)

TV ratings - June 3: Culture Show audience hit by switch to later slot
From Media Guardian. Posted June 4 2008, 1.03pm
BBC2's The Culture Show's new slot has dented its ratings slightly, with 800,000 viewers tuning. By Tara Conlan (more)

'Springwatch' audience tops 'Holby Blue'
From Digital Spy. Posted May 30 2008, 2.56pm
Cop drama Holby Blue was beaten by BBC Two's Springwatch in the ratings last night. (more)

Decent crowd tune in for 'Filth'
From Digital Spy. Posted May 30 2008, 2.48pm
A BBC Two drama about Mary Whitehouse draws 2.8m viewers despite strong competition. (more)

TV ratings: 2.8m viewers watch Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story
From Media Guardian. Posted May 29 2008, 10.20am
Julie Walters' portrayal of the late Mary Whitehouse brought almost 3 million viewers to BBC2's drama about the redoubtable TV standards campaigner. By Stephen Brook (more)

Grammer in remake of BBC show
From Media Guardian. Posted May 27 2008, 11.04pm
Frasier star Kelsey Grammer in American version of BBC2 comedy Roman's Empire (more)

Frasier star Kelsey Grammer to appear in remake of BBC2 sitcom
From Media Guardian. Posted May 27 2008, 12.06pm
Frasier star Kelsey Grammer is to star in the US version of BBC2 comedy Roman's Empire. ByBen Dowell (more)

Du Beke to front BBC2 cooking series
From Digital Spy. Posted May 23 2008, 12.36pm
Strictly Come Dancing's Anton Du Beke is to front a new cooking competition series for BBC Two. (more)

Culture Show to Relocate Partly to Glasgow
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted May 22 2008, 7.01am
One of the most popular programmes on BBC Two is soon to be partly presented from Scotland. The Culture Show is to be half-presented from BBC Scotland’s Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow, and half in London - its current full-time home. BBC Scotland has provided production... (more)

'Out of the Blue' drops to 100,000 viewers
From Digital Spy. Posted May 21 2008, 4.59pm
New Aussie soap Out of the Blue picks up audiences of just 100,000 on its first two days on BBC Two. (more)

BBC2 documentary wins Premier Prize at Sandford St Martin Trust religious radio and TV awards
From Media Guardian. Posted May 21 2008, 12.20pm
BBC2 documentary The Boys from Baghdad High has won the Premier Prize at the Sandford St Martin Trust religious radio and TV awards. By Ben Dowell (more)

Video: The Culture Show returns
From Media Guardian. Posted May 19 2008, 3.16pm
Watch a trail for the return of BBC2's The Culture Show, featuring Boris Johnson and Karl Pilkington (more)

Public inquiry: Charlotte Ashton, 25, TV presenter
From Media Guardian. Posted May 9 2008, 11.12pm
The presenter of new BBC2 TV programme Revealed, former SocietyGuardian.co.uk columnist Charlotte Ashton, tells Mary O'Hara about the myths surrounding teenagers (more)

James Nesbitt and Liam Neeson set for Ulster drama
From Media Guardian. Posted May 8 2008, 6.18am
BBC2 has commissioned a major drama about the Troubles in Northern Ireland that will feature James Nesbitt, with Liam Neeson also lined up for a starring role. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

BBC Two commissions more 'Lead Balloon'
From Digital Spy. Posted May 7 2008, 4.54pm
BBC Two commissions a third series of Jack Dee comedy Lead Balloon. (more)

Daytime soap Out of the Blue switched to BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted May 7 2008, 3.11pm
Neighbours replacement Out of the Blue is being switched from BBC1 to BBC2 less than a month after it premiered. By Tara Conlan (more)

BBC Vision celebrates 100% subtitling
From BBC Press Ofice. Posted May 7 2008, 10.30am
BBC Vision has confirmed that it has reached its target of subtitling 100 of programmes on its main channelsBBC One BBC Two BBC Three BBC Four CBeebies CBBC and BBC News. (more)

Meera Syal to star in new BBC2 comedy
From Digital Spy. Posted May 2 2008, 2.30pm
A new sitcom starring Meera Syal and Olivia Colman is in production for BBC Two. (more)

Zattoo adds BBC One, BBC Two, ITV
From Digital Spy. Posted April 28 2008, 2.41pm
Linear internet television application Zattoo begins carrying BBC One, BBC Two and ITV. (more)

'Heroes' wins sky-high audience for BBC Two
From Digital Spy. Posted April 25 2008, 9.06pm
The return of Heroes to UK TV won a strong audience for BBC Two last night, viewing figures show. (more)

Dave Gorman's Radio 4 show Genius is to be made for BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted April 25 2008, 4.37pm
Dave Gorman's Radio 4 entertainment show Genius is to transfer to BBC2 as a six-part series. By Ben Dowell (more)

Heroes pulls in 3.7 million viewers on BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted April 25 2008, 9.53am
The return of the US sci-fi drama import Heroes pulled in 3.7 million viewers to BBC2. By Ben Dowell (more)

Andrew Marr Scoops BAFTA TV Award
From allmediascotland - Spike. Posted April 21 2008, 8.10am
Scottish-born journalist and broadcaster, Andrew Marr, was among the winners at the BAFTA Television Awards in London last night for his ‘History of Modern Britain’ series on BBC Two. The award was in the Best Specialist Factual Programme category. The top Current Affairs... (more)

Graham Norton chats to 1.7m
From Digital Spy. Posted April 18 2008, 4.16pm
Graham Norton's chatshow - returning to BBC Two last night - attracts a decent audience of 1.7m. (more)

BBC2's 'Outnumbered' gets second series
From Digital Spy. Posted April 18 2008, 11.39am
A second series of part-improvised comedy series Outnumbered is on the way to BBC Two. (more)

TV ratings - April 17: Norton holds his own with chatshow return
From Media Guardian. Posted April 18 2008, 10.22am
The Graham Norton Show returned to BBC2 in a 9pm slot with 1.7 million viewers. By Ben Dowell (more)

Mitchell and Webb to film sitcom pilot
From Digital Spy. Posted April 16 2008, 11.36am
Peep Show's David Mitchell and Robert Webb are working on a new sitcom for BBC Two. (more)

TV ratings - April 15: The Age of Terror captures 1m viewers
From Media Guardian. Posted April 16 2008, 10.35am
The opening episode of BBC2's new Peter Taylor documentary series was watched by 1.1 million viewers in the 9pm hour. By Ben Dowell (more)

Lindsay Duncan cast as Margaret Thatcher
From Digital Spy. Posted April 9 2008, 4.13pm
Lindsay Duncan is cast as Margaret Thatcher in a BBC Two drama about the former prime minister. (more)

Duncan to star as Thatcher in BBC2 drama
From The Stage. Posted April 8 2008, 7.30pm
(more)

Lebanese Al Manar TV launches on Indonesian Palapa C2 satellite
From Media Network Weblog. Posted April 8 2008, 10.57am
The Hezbollah-owned Lebanese television channel Al Manar has started broadcasts via the Palapa C2 satellite, the Helsingborg-based Lyngsat Satellite website reported on 8 April. The TV channel is available at the following parameters for viewers in the Asia-Pacific region: Satellite: Palapa C2 at 113 degrees east Frequency: 4080 MHz horizontal polarity Symbol rate: 28125 FEC 3/4 The Palapa satellite is owned [...] (more)

BBC2 drama to paint dark portrait of Margaret Thatcher
From Media Guardian. Posted April 8 2008, 8.54am
Lindsay Duncan has been confirmed to play Margaret Thatcher in a BBC2 drama about the former prime minister's final days in office. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Reality show will seek top young speaker
From Digital Spy. Posted March 27 2008, 2.11pm
BBC Two plans a primetime reality competition show to find Britain's best young public speaker. (more)

Five steams past BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted March 19 2008, 2.56pm
Channel Five's Monster Moves saw the channel triumph over BBC across the peaktime period and the entire day. By John Plunkett (more)

BBC unveils chefs' specials
From Media Guardian. Posted March 17 2008, 4.48pm
BBC2 hopes to whet appetites with two food programmes showcasing autumnal ingredients and how to cook Chinese takeaway dishes. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

BBC2 lines up Chinese, autumn food shows
From Digital Spy. Posted March 17 2008, 12.52pm
BBC Two lines up a new primetime food series about autumnal and Chinese cooking. (more)

Media Diary: Oliver Duff
From The Independent. Posted March 17 2008, 12.00am
Having dumped her vestments outside the charity clothes shop and renounced plans to sit a theology degree, Julie Burchill is returning to journalism. She is also working on her own television films, following 2005's lesbian teen drama Sugar Rush. Burchill says she has completed a TV script, Scars and Stripes, to be made by BBC2. "She seems to know much more about this than we do," claims a BBC drama publicist. "It's not anything we've heard of. Nothing has been commissioned and no one in commissioning has heard of it." It's obviously at an early, pre-publicity stage. So I leave a polite voicemail on Friday morning for the queen of spleen, asking for more details, if appropriate, and wishing her a pleasant weekend. Ten minutes later the mobile rings: "I'm Sara Lawrence. I've just had a cross phone call from my writing partner Julie Burchill. She sounded very angry. What are you leaving her a message for? Why are you asking? Don't you believe her? Why do you want to know? It's part of a massive project called "Decades", alright, 30 films covering 1970 to 2005, each one covers a year. Catherine Tate's doing one, Hanif Kureishi, Ian Hislop. Ours is a love story. Maybe you should do a bit of research. Perhaps you should email Julie to apologise." Two hours on, and I am given an exclusive extract of Ms Lawrence's writing, in the shape of an unprompted email. The missive informs me I am "an absolute prick" and "an asshole" for enquiring about the Scars and Stripes project. She continues: "Why don't you fuck off and get an ACTUAL story. Moron." Dear Sara! Slow down, don't gabble. (more)

BBC2's working class heroes draw 1.7m
From Media Guardian. Posted March 10 2008, 1.31pm
The launch of BBC2's controversial season about the white working class averaged 1.7 million viewers on Friday. By Ben Dowell (more)

It's not a job I've ever aspired to
From Media Guardian. Posted March 10 2008, 12.02am
The BBC2 controller tells Owen Gibson that he was never interested in running the flagship channel, why the trailer for the White season 'absolutely' isn't racist - and that Top Gear will be staying put (more)

Reckitt faces inquiries over 'plan' to maintain Gaviscon's dominance
From The Times. Posted March 7 2008, 11.40pm
Reckitt Benckiser faces a series of investigations by competition and health regulators over an alleged secret plan to maintain a monopoly in the supply of Gaviscon, the lucrative heartburn medicine. Internal documents show that executives at Reckitt, the Hull-based drug and cleaning products company, plotted under the codename “Project Eric” to block rivals from selling cheaper generic copies of Gaviscon. One former senior executive said Reckitt had “cheated the NHS”. It is thought that a cheaper, generic version of Gaviscon could have saved the health service £40 million a year. E-mails between executives discuss how to “drag out as long as possible” the process of other companies being allowed to manufacture generic versions, and their intention to create “a further barrier to competitors” and “restrict entry for new competitors”. The company announced an internal investigation into the allegations, made by BBC2’s Newsnight, insisting that it was “a responsible company in the way it conducts its business”. A spokesman for the Office of Fair Trading said: “We are aware of the story and are considering whether there may be a competition case to answer.” The NHS Counter Fraud Service is also considering whether an inquiry falls within its remit, and the House of Commons Health Select Committee may also investigate. Kevin Barron, MP, chair of the committee, said he was “disturbed” by the e-mails. “I will be taking it back to the committee to look at,” he said. However, it is not clear whether any laws have been broken. One regulatory source said: “Members of the public might not find it particularly wholesome. It might be sharp practice and they may be sailing close to the wind, but that doesn’t mean it’s illegal.” Before a rival company can create a generic drug, the British National Formulary must give it an official title. Reckitt tried to claim Gaviscon was unique and such a title could not be issued. It objected in 2000, 2003, 2005 and 2006. The drug company also successfully lobbied the British Pharmacopoeia Commission (BPC), part of the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, that for health and safety reasons, a detailed quality specification known as a monograph was needed. One Reckitt executive wrote: “Should we not drag it out as long as possible . . . £9 million of business is at stake”. The e-mails talk of “a clever idea” - to make a near-identical product with a different name. “There must be something we can dig out of the cupboard!” one executive wrote. Reckitt also tried to persuade doctors to prescribe the new Gaviscon Advance. In 2005 the industry’s watchdog found it guilty of unethical behaviour. The news comes shortly after the European Commission began an inquiry into whether pharmaceutical companies were employing illegal tactics to delay generic versions. In January, it raided the offices of some of the world’s largest drug companies, including Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Astrazeneca, Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co and Sanofi-Aventis. In 2005 AstraZeneca, the Anglo-Swedish drug manufacturer, was fined €60 million for trying to delay rival versions of its ulcer drug, Losec, thereby keeping prices artificially high. A spokesman for Reckitt said: “We are shocked by the allegations . . . and by the inappropriate sentiment expressed in some of the internal correspondence of 2003.” A spokesman for the BPC said it was “aware that the company would want to protect its market”. He added: “When Reckitt sought to protect the monograph being published with a legal challenge, the BPC rejected this request and proceeded with its publication.” (more)

BBC Two to look at 'British Style'
From Digital Spy. Posted March 6 2008, 12.50pm
A documentary series looking at British fashion is in the pipeline for BBC Two. (more)

Spartacus slayed by opposition
From Media Guardian. Posted March 3 2008, 1.24pm
A new adaptation of the Spartacus tale failed to set the ratings alight for BBC2 on Friday night. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Viewers' compliments to MasterChef
From Media Guardian. Posted February 29 2008, 12.24pm
MasterChef cooked up a ratings treat for BBC2, peaking at 5.7 million and wiping the floor with its rivals. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Viewers savour MasterChef run-in
From Media Guardian. Posted February 26 2008, 11.29am
The start of the final week of BBC2's MasterChef saw the cooking show hit its highest ratings of the series so far with 4.3 million viewers. By Leigh Holmwood (more)

Whicker returns to the small screen
From Media Guardian. Posted February 25 2008, 9.18am
BBC2 has commissioned the pioneer of the personality-led documentary, Alan Whicker, for a four-part series. By Maggie Brown (more)

Meera Syal: Why TV makes me depressed
From The Independent. Posted February 25 2008, 12.00am
Later this year, Meera Syal will return to our screens in a new comedy – but viewers should not expect a sitcom involving an Asian character. Syal's part in the BBC2 show was originally written for a white woman. (more)

Muted return for Mitchell and Webb
From Media Guardian. Posted February 22 2008, 1.42pm
The second series of That Mitchell and Webb Look opened with a disappointing 1.4 million viewers on BBC2. By Chris Tryhorn (more)

John Torode and Gregg Wallace
From Media Guardian. Posted February 21 2008, 12.06am
The presenters of BBC2's Masterchef, know their stuff when it comes to food. But do they ever stop shouting? (more)

My Mentor: Dan Snow on Peter Snow
From The Independent. Posted February 18 2008, 12.00am
People say to me: "Oh, it's really unfair. Your dad got you into television." Yes, he did. But not by ringing up (former BBC2 controller) Jane Root and saying he wanted to do a programme with his son; he would have been laughed at. (more)

ABC-Australia launches new look, programmes
From Media Network Weblog. Posted February 11 2008, 1.08pm
Australia’s ABC TV has launched its new look for 2008, promising viewers more choice with two channels. The main channel will be known as ABC1 and the public broadcaster’s digital channel, ABC2, will be given a new look. ABC Director of Television, Kim Dalton, said both channels will air distinctly different Australian content, reports ABC Online. [...] (more)

Simon Reeve: My Life in Media
From The Independent. Posted February 4 2008, 12.00am
Simon Reeve, 35, is an author and broadcaster. Presenting BBC2's Equator, part-travelogue and part-current affairs programme, earned him comparisons to Michael Palin. He returns to our screens on Sunday with Tropic of Capricorn, a journey from Namibia to Australia and on to Argentina and Brazil. Reeve's first book, The New Jackals, predicted the rise of al-Qa'ida and became a New York Times bestseller. He grew up in Acton, west London, and lives with his wife Anya in north London. (more)

The Restaurant to serve second course
From Media Guardian. Posted January 28 2008, 7.03am
BBC2 is bringing back Raymond Blanc's culinary hit The Restaurant, but with some changes to the format. By Tara Conlan (more)

BBC boss unveils strategy
From Rapid TV News. Posted January 26 2008, 3.47pm
Roly Keating, the BBC's controller responsible for BBC1 and BBC2 has revealed the latest thoughts from within Television centre. He talks candidly about the fall-out over the Peter Fincham (the previous BBC1 controller) and the now notorious Queengate affair, and confidence within the BBC and the public perception of what the BBC is doing. Listen to a complete audio recording of his comments, given at a lunch for the Broadcasting Press Guild. {mgmediabot2}path=images/sto ... (more)

Three BBC comedies get another series
From Media Guardian. Posted January 24 2008, 5.37pm
BBC1 and BBC2 have recomissioned comedies Lead Balloon, Armstrong and Miller and The Omid Djalili Show. By Tara Conlan (more)

The Super Bowl on BBC TV for the First Time
From Merry Media. Posted January 24 2008, 4.40pm
Super Bowl will be broadcast live on BBC TV for the first time on Sunday 3 February on BBC Two. Coverage of Super Bowl XLII will be live from Arizona and will be introduced by Jake Humphrey with experts Mike Carlson and Rod Woodson. . (more)

Corden to star in monastery comedy
From Digital Spy. Posted January 24 2008, 3.24pm
James Corden lands the lead role in a new ecclesiastical sitcom on BBC Two. (more)

Fry breaks arm while filming for show
From Digital Spy. Posted January 19 2008, 3.02pm
Stephen Fry breaks his arm while filming a new BBC Two series in Brazil. (more)

Weakest Link to replace Neighbours
From Media Guardian. Posted January 17 2008, 4.00pm
The BBC has confirmed that it will shunt its BBC1 children's programmes to an earlier slot so BBC2 quizshow The Weakest Link can replace Neighbours. By Leigh Holmwood and Tara Conlan (more)

Sher and Graves to star in BBC2 Auschwitz drama
From The Stage. Posted January 17 2008, 1.55pm
(more)

Review: Who knew post-modern telly could be such fun?
From The Independent. Posted January 13 2008, 1.00am
It's all about the involuntary exclamations. Your critical response to a TV programme never gets more honest than the noise you make while watching. This week it was a high whine of disbelief when Jamie Oliver gassed the fluffy chicks on Channel 4. It was a small hiss at Geraldine James's evil stepmother in Rapunzel (BBC2), a fun show that felt like a made-for-TV panto. And a snort of pleasure at ITV1's Moving Wallpaper/Echo Beach. They matter, those little sighs and expectorations, particularly when TV is getting all slippery and self-conscious, putting distance between its actions and its intentions like a ship drifting from its moorings. Moving Wallpaper/Echo Beach are twin programmes: a soap about the making of a soap, followed by the soap itself. Faced with this clever-clogs chimera, all you can do is trust your gut. (more)

Cheesed off with the world? Charlie Vandergaw was, so he went to live with some bears
From Media Guardian. Posted January 4 2008, 7.00am
Sam Wollaston on The Man Who Lives With Bears (Five) | Cold Blood (ITV1) | Lead Balloon (BBC2) (more)

North Pole charge warms BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted December 31 2007, 1.17pm
A repeat of Top Gear's controversial polar expedition gave BBC2 a healthy ratings boost. By Jemima Kiss (more)

Dragon James Caan eyes troubled Erinaceous
From Daily Telegraph. Posted December 20 2007, 12.01am
James Caan, the entrepreneur who sits on the panel of BBC2's Dragons' Den, is studying the possibility of making an offer for some or all of embattled property services company Erinaceous. (more)

Right-wing research group threatens to sue 'Newsnight'
From The Independent. Posted December 15 2007, 12.40am
A right-wing think-tank whose research came under fire on BBC2's Newsnight has threatened legal action against the current affairs programme. (more)

BBC2's royal line ends on 2.2m
From Media Guardian. Posted December 10 2007, 11.54am
BBC2's historical romp The Tudors, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Henry VIII, finished its 10-part run with 2.2m viewers. By John Plunkett (more)

Heroes finishes with a flourish
From Media Guardian. Posted December 6 2007, 1.24pm
The series finale of US drama Heroes attracted 3.3 million viewers to BBC2. By Chris Tryhorn (more)

TV ratings - December 2: Hamilton drives up Top Gear ratings
From Media Guardian. Posted December 3 2007, 12.54pm
Lewis Hamilton's appearance on Top Gear accelerated the BBC2 show's audience up to a series high of nearly 8 million viewers. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

Root linked to BBC1 post
From The Independent. Posted November 30 2007, 12.45am
Jane Root, the former controller of BBC Two, has quit her job running the Discovery Channel in the US, sparking speculation that she could be in the running to lead BBC One. (more)

TV ratings, November 22: Arrange Me a Marriage attracts 1.8m
From Media Guardian. Posted November 23 2007, 12.21pm
BBC2 wedding show Arrange Me a Marriage was watched by 1.8 million viewers, according to unofficial overnight ratings. By Tara Conlan (more)

Lucy Mangan: Wouldn't it be fun to own a zoo? That's what Ben thought. So he bought one, just like that
From Media Guardian. Posted November 22 2007, 12.47am
Lucy Mangan on Ben's Zoo (BBC2), Coronation Street (ITV1) and Ugly Betty (E4) (more)

TV ratings: November 20
From Media Guardian. Posted November 21 2007, 1.35pm
BBC2's natural history series Earth - the Power of the Planet debuted with a healthy 2.8 million viewers. By Ben Dowell (more)

'Marginalised working class' a focus for BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted November 20 2007, 11.39pm
White working-class life in modern Britain is to be the focus of an "unflinching and provocative" BBC2 season (more)

Maxwell Martin to star in BBC2 winter/spring line-up
From The Stage. Posted November 20 2007, 6.40pm
(more)

BBC2 season to examine white working class
From Media Guardian. Posted November 20 2007, 12.58pm
BBC2's winter and spring lineup will include a season focusing on the white working class in modern Britain. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons (more)

The cliché and the genius
From Financial Times. Posted November 17 2007, 2.00am
Stephen Poliakoff, the TV dramatist - or film-maker, according to your view - had a large swathe of his work showcased this week on BBC2. This occasioned an outpouring... (more)

Horizon rapped over biased episode
From Media Guardian. Posted November 16 2007, 6.22pm
BBC2 science strand Horizon has been censured by the BBC Trust over impartiality. By Tara Conlan (more)

TV ratings: November 10
From Media Guardian. Posted November 12 2007, 1.54pm
BBC2's Stephen Poliakoff night proved no match for Strictly Come Dancing and The X Factor. By Caitlin Fitzsimmons. (more)

My Mentor: Will Wyatt on Brian Wenham
From The Independent. Posted November 9 2007, 6.05pm
I met Brian Wenham when he was the BBC's head of current affairs and I was a producer. He didn't give me a job there, but he did when he became the controller of BBC2. (more)

Weakest Link is tipped to replace Neighbours
From Media Guardian. Posted November 8 2007, 4.53pm
BBC2 quiz The Weakest Link has been tipped to replace Neighbours when the soap leaves BBC1 next year. By Tara Conlan. (more)

Horizon is Back Early 2008
From Merry Media. Posted November 8 2007, 12.50pm
The science documentary series Horizon is returning to BBC Two in early 2008 with highlights including Michael Portillo investigating the most human method of execution.. (more)

Hamilton to appear on 'Top Gear'
From Digital Spy. Posted November 2 2007, 2.44pm
Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton is to appear on BBC Two's Top Gear. (more)

Top Gear stays on BBC2, says Jeremy Clarkson
From Media Guardian. Posted November 1 2007, 11.33am
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has scotched speculation that BBC2's top-rating show could move to BBC1. By John Plunkett. (more)

STAR TV India gets new CEO
From Biz Asia. Posted October 28 2007, 10.59am
STAR TV India has promoted its chief operating officer to take control as the company's new CEO. Uday Shankar, who joined Star India as COO in May, assumes the role of CEO with immediate effect, while senior VP of finance Jadgish Kumar is upped to take on his old role. The announcement was made by STAR CEO Paul Aiello, who has until now been serving as CEO of STAR India. As STAR India CEO, Shankar will be responsible for STAR's overall business, reporting to Aiello. Kumar will report to Shankar and work closely with him in driving the company's growth agenda. Aiello commented: "Uday's promotion is a recognition of the important contributions he has made to the growth and strategic development of Star India since he joined the company. His leadership, business acumen and vision will serve as invaluable assets as Star India strengthens its core operations and expands its services with a number of new initiatives." He added that Kumar will be "counted upon heavily as we grow our business in India." Prior to joining STAR India, Shankar served as CEO of STAR joint venture MCCS for three years. Before that, Shankar was editor and news director at India Today, launching channels Aaj Tak and Headlines Today. He was also responsible for launching the news division of Sahara TV. Article from C21 Media Related link: Uday Shankar appointed STAR India COO (more)

Whitehaven wakes up to digital switchover
From Media Guardian. Posted October 17 2007, 1.00am
12.30pm: Around 2,000 homes in Whitehaven can no longer watch BBC2 after the channel's analogue signal was switched off at 2am. By John Plunkett. (more)

Cumbrian Town Set for Digital Switchover
From Merry Media. Posted October 16 2007, 1.26pm
The first switchover from analogue to digital television in the UK will take place at around 2am tomorrow. The location for the first switchover is Whitehaven in Cumbria with BBC Two no longer being broadcast in analogue.. (more)

The final countdown: Cumbrian town gets set to lead TV revolution
From Media Guardian. Posted October 16 2007, 1.00am
In the early hours tomorrow, the BBC2 analogue signal will disappear in Whitehaven. By Martin Wainwright and Owen Gibson. (more)

Wisdom to feature in BBC2 documentary
From The Stage. Posted October 9 2007, 4.10pm
(more)

Roly Keating named acting BBC One chief
From Digital Spy. Posted October 5 2007, 3.23pm
BBC Two controller Roly Keating is named acting controller of BBC One. (more)

Timewatch safe, says BBC2 controller
From Media Guardian. Posted October 5 2007, 1.00am
Roly Keating, the controller of BBC2, has scotched rumours that history series Timewatch is to be axed. By Mark Sweney. (more)

Roly Keating name acting BBC1 controller
From Media Guardian. Posted October 5 2007, 1.00am
3.15pm update: BBC2 controller Roly Keating has been named as the acting controller of BBC1 until a successor to Peter Fincham is found. By Ben Dowell and Leigh Holmwood (more)

Roly Keating named acting BBC1 controller
From Media Guardian. Posted October 5 2007, 1.00am
BBC2 controller Roly Keating has been named as the acting controller of BBC1 until a successor to Peter Fincham is found. By Ben Dowell and Leigh Holmwood (more)

Fry and footie prove ratings winners
From Digital Spy. Posted October 4 2007, 9.21am
Manchester United game pulls in 6 million for ITV1, while a Stephen Fry HIV documentary does well for BBC Two. (more)

TV ratings: October 2
From Media Guardian. Posted October 3 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Stephen Fry's personal look at HIV and Aids attracted 2.5 million viewers to BBC2. By Leigh Holmwood. (more)

BBC Two and Four could suffer biggest cuts
From Digital Spy. Posted September 27 2007, 12.18pm
Reports suggest BBC Two and BBC Four will be the hardest hit in the forthcoming round of BBC budget cuts. (more)

BBC2 and BBC4 to stay separate
From Media Guardian. Posted September 21 2007, 1.00am
BBC Vision director Jana Bennett has insisted that BBC2 and BBC4 will not be merging. By Leigh Holmwood. (more)

Nigella pulls in 3.2m for BBC Two
From Digital Spy. Posted September 11 2007, 3.03pm
New Nigella Lawson cooking series is gaining fans, with 3.2 million and a 13.6% tuning in last night at 8.30pm. (more)

Roly Keating secures Heroes for BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted September 3 2007, 1.00am
3.45pm: BBC2 has secured exclusive rights to hit sci-fi show Heroes from series three onwards. By Ben Dowell. (more)

TV ratings: Supernanny and Silent Witness take lion's share
From Media Guardian. Posted August 30 2007, 1.00am
Supernanny returned to Channel 4 with an average of 2.9 million viewers, beating BBC2 reality contest The Restaurant. By Ben Dowell. (more)

Heroes "fills missing part" of BBC Two
From Digital Spy. Posted August 25 2007, 11.10am
BBC Two controller Roly Keating says that Heroes "fills a missing part" of the channel's brand. (more)

BBC's Keating worries on trust overreaction
From Digital Spy. Posted August 25 2007, 10.30am
BBC Two controller Roly Keating is worried that a cultural overreaction over the trust in TV issue may occur. (more)

TV ratings: August 1
From Media Guardian. Posted August 2 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: BBC2's US drama Heroes fell back to earth with a fall of 900,000 viewers compared with its debut. By Tara Conlan (more)

Strong start for 'Heroes' on BBC Two
From Digital Spy. Posted July 26 2007, 6.22pm
Over 4 million viewers tune in for the start of Heroes on BBC Two. (more)

Heroes triumph for BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted July 26 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: The BBC2 launch of US drama Heroes helped power the channel to an historic ratings win over BBC1. By Tara Conlan. (more)

New BBC Head of Comedy Announced
From Merry Media. Posted July 17 2007, 2.41pm
Mark Freeland has been appointed as the new Head of Comedy for the BBC, joining from Hartswood Films. He will take up the position in September, having worked at Planet 24, BBC Two and Sky One.. (more)

New series of Torchwood is set to light up BBC2
From The Stage. Posted July 16 2007, 7.05pm
(more)

Top Gear Show Damaging Wilderness
From Merry Media. Posted July 8 2007, 9.37am
BBC Two motoring programme Top Gear has been accused of damaging the Makgadikgadi salt pans in Botswana by driving cars across them which could leave tracks on the ground for decades.. (more)

BBC2 snaps up media satire Freezing
From Media Guardian. Posted July 6 2007, 1.00am
8am: BBC2 has picked up BBC4 media satire Freezing and is making two new episodes later this year. By Tara Conlan. (more)

BBC investigating Blair's speech cut-off
From Digital Spy. Posted June 29 2007, 5.10pm
BBC executives have investigated why BBC Two left live coverage of Tony Blair's farewell speech for Wimbledon. (more)

BBC looks into Blair speech gaffe
From Media Guardian. Posted June 29 2007, 1.00am
4.15pm: BBC executives have investigated why BBC2 left live coverage of Tony Blair's farewell speech to parliament on Wednesday. By Stephen Brook. (more)

TV ratings: June 27
From Media Guardian. Posted June 28 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: There were 700,000 viewers watching BBC2 yesterday lunchtime when the network cut short Tony Blair's emotional farewell at the despatch box. By Jason Deans. (more)

BBC director apologises for Blair cut-off
From Digital Spy. Posted June 27 2007, 9.21pm
BBC director of news Helen Boaden issues an apology for BBC Two's decision to switch from Tony Blair's final PMQs to tennis. (more)

'Tycoon' dips under 2m viewers
From Digital Spy. Posted June 27 2007, 1.20pm
ITV1's Tycoon barely beats BBC Two with 1.9m viewers and an 8.8% share in its timeslot. (more)

BBC2 cuts short Blair ovation
From Media Guardian. Posted June 27 2007, 1.00am
4.30pm: BBC2 cut short its live coverage of Tony Blair's last prime minister's questions today to show a promo for its drama series Rome. By Stephen Brook. (more)

BBC2 denies Blair standing ovation
From Media Guardian. Posted June 27 2007, 1.00am
4.30pm: BBC2 cut short its live coverage of Tony Blair's last prime minister's questions today to show a promo for its drama series Rome. By Stephen Brook. (more)

Terrestrial TV ratings: June 25
From Media Guardian. Posted June 26 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Tim Henman's epic first round match at Wimbledon helped BBC2 double its normal Monday 9pm audience. By John Plunkett. (more)

Stephen Fry joins BBC2 autumn lineup
From Media Guardian. Posted June 26 2007, 1.00am
10.30am: Stephen Fry is to follow up his documentary on manic depression with a personal look at HIV for BBC2. By Leigh Holmwood. (more)

TV ratings: June 5
From Media Guardian. Posted June 6 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Trinny and Susannah's return to ITV1 was overshadowed by BBC2's Springwatch. By Mark Sweney. (more)

TV ratings: June 4
From Media Guardian. Posted June 5 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Peter and Dan Snow's 20th Century Battlefields attracted 1.7m viewers to BBC2. By Ben Dowell. (more)

TV ratings - May 28
From Media Guardian. Posted May 29 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Springwatch returned to BBC2 with nearly 4m viewers in the 8pm hour. By Ben Dowell. (more)

TV ratings: May 22
From Media Guardian. Posted May 23 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Andrew Marr's BBC2 documentary series made a promising start. By Jason Deans. (more)

Tennant to star in Einstein drama for BBC2
From The Stage. Posted May 18 2007, 5.15pm
(more)

I'm out: Dragons' Den drops Richard Farleigh
From Media Guardian. Posted May 18 2007, 1.00am
12.15pm: Dragons' Den panellist Richard Farleigh has been dropped from the next series of the BBC2 show. By Ben Dowell. (more)

Long Way Round sequel to air on BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted May 15 2007, 1.00am
8am: BBC2 has snapped up the sequel to Sky One's motorcycle travelogue Long Way Round. By Ben Dowell. (more)

Snooker final peaks at 5.3m for BBC
From Digital Spy. Posted May 8 2007, 3.46pm
Championship final brings in an average 3.7m viewers last night on BBC Two. (more)

TV ratings: May 7
From Media Guardian. Posted May 8 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: BBC2's coverage of John Higgins' triumph in the World Snooker Championship attracted 3.9m viewers. By Ben Dowell. (more)

TV ratings: May 3
From Media Guardian. Posted May 4 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: BBC2 sitcom Roman's Empire drew fewer viewers than ITV2's Katie and Peter: the Next Chapter. By Ben Dowell. (more)

TV ratings: April 28
From Media Guardian. Posted April 30 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: One-off special The Return of 'Allo 'Allo! on BBC2 gave ITV1's Millionaire a run for its money. By Ben Dowell. (more)

New Head of Marketing for BBC Two & Factual
From Merry Media. Posted April 25 2007, 1.26pm
Lindsay Nuttall has been appointed as the new Head of Marketing for BBC Two and Factual.. (more)

BBC appoints new Head of Marketing for BBC Two and Factual
From BBC Press Ofice. Posted April 25 2007, 10.00am
Lindsay Nuttall has been appointed as the new Head of Marketing for BBC Two and Factual. (more)

David Suchet for Maxwell drama
From Digital Spy. Posted April 24 2007, 2.50pm
David Suchet will play corrupt media tycoon Robert Maxwell in a new BBC2 drama. (more)

Andrew Davies to adapt Speak for England for BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted April 20 2007, 1.00am
8am: Andrew Davies is to adapt satirical novel Speak for England for BBC2. By Ben Dowell. (more)

Actress Walters to play Whitehouse in BBC2 drama Filth
From The Stage. Posted April 18 2007, 2.30pm
(more)

BBC Two Commissions Mary Whitehouse Drama
From Merry Media. Posted April 18 2007, 12.18pm
BBC Two has commissioned an original drama about renowned taste and decency campaigner Mary Whitehouse – 40 years after her battle with the BBC Director-General over the Beatles' use of the word "knickers.". (more)

BBC confirms 'Mary Whitehouse' drama
From Digital Spy. Posted April 18 2007, 11.03am
Julie Walters will play the notorious 'taste and decency' campaigner in a new Wall to Wall production for BBC Two. (more)

US Henry VIII drama to air on BBC2
From Media Guardian. Posted April 16 2007, 1.00am
10.45am: BBC2 has won the rights to lavish American mini-series The Tudors. By Leigh Holmwood. (more)

More Badminton on the BBC
From Merry Media. Posted April 14 2007, 1.08am
With live coverage on BBC Two and BBCi, the 2007 Badminton Horse Trials will have more dedicated TV airtime than any year since it was first televised in 1956.. (more)

2 New Entertainment Shows Commissioned for the BBC
From Merry Media. Posted April 13 2007, 2.12pm
Jay Hunt, Controller, BBC Daytime and Early Peak, has commissioned two brand new entertainment shows bringing some springtime sparkle to daytime on BBC One and BBC Two.. (more)

BBC Sport Will Cover Flora London Marathon
From Merry Media. Posted April 12 2007, 4.26pm
On Sunday 22 April 2007, BBC Sport will provide comprehensive live coverage of the 27th Flora London Marathon (BBC One, 8.30am-2pm and BBCi 8am-4pm), plus an evening highlights programme (BBC Two, 6.10pm-7pm).. (more)

Fiona Bruce Modelled for Jackie Magazine
From Merry Media. Posted April 9 2007, 2.24pm
BBC newsreader Fiona Bruce has revealed in a BBC Two documentary she used to be a model for the love stories in the Jackie magazine.. (more)

Terrestrial TV ratings: April 1
From Media Guardian. Posted April 2 2007, 1.00am
TV overnights: Louis Theroux's latest foray into crackpot America proved a ratings hit for BBC2, attracting 4.3m viewers. By Chris Tryhorn. (more)

Alastair Campbell Diaries on BBC Two
From Merry Media. Posted March 23 2007, 12.00am
BBC Two is to screen a three-part series to coincide with the publication of Alastair Campbell's forthcoming book The Blair Years which is based on the diaries he kept during his years working for the Prime Minister.. (more)

Queen of Shopping Comes to BBC Two
From Merry Media. Posted March 22 2007, 11.30am
BBC Two has commissioned a new primetime series in which retail guru Mary Portas helps independent fashion shop owners – the fleet-footed Davids of the retail world – fight back against the all-consuming high street Goliaths.. (more)

New Political Editor of Newsnight
From Merry Media. Posted March 22 2007, 10.57am
Michael Crick has been appointed as Political Editor on BBC Two's Newsnight.. (more)

BBC2 to air Alistair Campbell diaries series
From Media Guardian. Posted March 22 2007, 12.00am
3.45pm: BBC2 is to show a factual series on the diaries of former government spin-doctor Alastair Campbell. By Tara Conlan. (more)

BBC2 show to help independent shops
From Media Guardian. Posted March 22 2007, 12.00am
8am: BBC2 is to lend a hand to independent boutiques in a show starring retail expert Mary Portas. By Chris Tryhorn. (more)

BBC Two Extends Jools Holland and New TOTP Themes
From Merry Media. Posted March 21 2007, 4.19pm
BBC Two has extended Later…with Jools Holland to 20 weeks a year and commissioned six themed editions of Top Of The Pops 2.. (more)

Newsnight appoints Crick as new political editor
From Press Gazette. Posted March 21 2007, 3.21pm
Michael Crick has been appointed political editor of BBC2's Newsnight, it was announced today. (more)

Louis Walsh Tells Graham Norton About X Factor Boot
From Merry Media. Posted March 15 2007, 11.46am
Louis Walsh talks about his shock departure from X Factor when he meets Graham Norton tonight on BBC Two.. (more)

Analogue switch-off set for October
From Media Guardian. Posted March 15 2007, 12.00am
10am update: The BBC2 analogue signal will be switched off in Whitehaven on October 17 in the first stage of the UK's digital switchover. By Jason Deans (more)

TV ratings: March 13
From Media Guardian. Posted March 13 2007, 12.00am
TV overnights: Panorama's new weekday outing on BBC1 couldn't get past BBC2's MasterChef Goes Large. By John Plunkett. (more)

Graham Norton Chats to Joan Rivers
From Merry Media. Posted March 8 2007, 1.39pm
Graham Norton continues the first season of his new prime-time series tonight on BBC Two when he discusses surgery secrets of the stars with legendary Emmy award-winning actress Joan Rivers and actor Julian McMahon.. (more)

TV ratings: March 4
From Media Guardian. Posted March 5 2007, 12.00am
TV overnights: BBC2's Top Gear ended its current run in style on Sunday. By Chris Tryhorn. (more)

Money Programme Survey on People Having Children
From Merry Media. Posted March 2 2007, 1.19pm
A survey for BBC Two's The Money Programme suggests that nearly half of all people who plan to have children are delaying starting a family because of the expense.. (more)

Graham Norton Behind The Scenes at the Oscars
From Merry Media. Posted March 1 2007, 4.44pm
Graham Norton continues the first season of his new prime-time series tonight on BBC Two when he gets the lowdown on the film world from two of the UK's most successful and provocative young acting talents - Orlando Bloom and Samantha Morton.. (more)

TV ratings: February 22
From Media Guardian. Posted February 23 2007, 12.00am
TV overnights: Graham Norton's new chatshow debuted modestly last night on BBC2. By Stephen Brook. (more)

Graham Norton Chats to Kim Cattrall & Elijah Wood
From Merry Media. Posted February 22 2007, 2.25pm
Graham Norton kicks off the first 13-week run of his brand-new prime-time series tonight on BBC Two when he trades quips with guests, Sex and the City's Kim Cattrall and The Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood.. (more)

The Graham Norton Show Returns Tomorrow
From Merry Media. Posted February 21 2007, 12.40pm
Multi-award winning comedy talk show host Graham Norton presents the first edition in a 13-week run of his brand-new BBC Two series The Graham Norton Show.. (more)

My Fave Ident...Sophie Raworth
From Merry Media. Posted February 21 2007, 12.00am
BBC Two launched their new idents on Sunday. Merry Media has been running the BBC Two New Ident Weekend - well, long weekend! Now it is time to closedown (until the next new bunch of idents). We spoke to many celebrities and media industry workers to find out their favourite BBC Two ident from over the years including Jeremy Vine, Roly Keating, Peter Barron, Toby Anstis and Penny Smith. Of course - we leave the best face 'till last! Merry Media spoke to Sophie Raworth - the presenter of the BBC's One O'Clock News - to find out what her favourite ident was:. (more)

BBC Two New Ident Weekend Poll Results
From Merry Media. Posted February 20 2007, 11.53pm
Merry Media was running 2 polls on the run up to and over the weekend of the BBC Two New Ident Weekend. The voting is closed and the results are:. (more)

BBC Two New Ident Weekend DVD Winners
From Merry Media. Posted February 20 2007, 5.18pm
Merry Media is pleased to announce the winners of the DVD's we were giving away as part of the BBC Two New Ident Weekend we were running last weekend.. (more)

Review: BBC Two 2007 Ident - Sunroof
From Merry Media. Posted February 20 2007, 5.06pm
The final review from Merry Media on the new idents for BBC Two is of the Sunroof ident which is filmed from within a car.. (more)

Parish to lead BBC2's city scandal drama
From The Stage. Posted February 19 2007, 3.45pm
(more)

Review: BBC Two 2007 Ident - Tent
From Merry Media. Posted February 19 2007, 12.30am
3 versions have been made of the Tent ident. All 3 show different views when the tent is opened up.. (more)

Review: BBC Two 2007 Ident - Mirror
From Merry Media. Posted February 19 2007, 12.00am
As the new idents continued to air, at 3pm on Sunday afternoon the premiere of Mirror on BBC Two - with a nice sombre tune to it.. (more)

My Fave Ident...Roly Keating
From Merry Media. Posted February 18 2007, 3.30pm
BBC Two have launched their new idents today and the man who decided upon the change is the BBC Two Controller Roly Keating - and he told Merry Media what his all time favourite BBC Two ident was.. (more)

Review: BBC Two 2007 Ident - Chase
From Merry Media. Posted February 18 2007, 3.00pm
The new BBC Two idents are getting under way and we - the viewers - are getting a look through the Window on the World. 'Chase' was broadcast this afternoon at 1.30.. (more)

Review: BBC Two 2007 Ident - Zoetrope
From Merry Media. Posted February 18 2007, 2.30pm
The third ident to broadcast on BBC Two was Zoetrope. The new idents are indeed a Window on the World and each one very different to the next.. (more)

Review: BBC Two 2007 Ident - Seascape
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