BBC tears up schedules to combat corona
The BBC has moved into wartime mode with plans to revamp its schedules to help those self-isolating at home.
It will broadcast or stream exercise classes for the elderly, ‘virtual’ church services and educational programmes for children. There will also be a focus on providing entertainment and ‘escapism’ with new TV box sets online and classic shows on radio. A wide range of special programming will also be dedicated to the coronavirus crisis, with a weekly prime-time special on the pandemic on BBC1 on Wednesdays and The One Show covering ‘all aspects of the crisis’. As previously reported, Question Time will move to a new slot at 8pm on Thursdays but with no studio audience and ‘remote guests’. There will also be a daytime health Check UK Live show on BBC1 that will ‘directly address the concerns of viewers who are in isolation’. Unveiling the plans yesterday, director general Tony hall said: ‘As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a special role to play at this time of national need. ‘The BBC will be using all of its resources – channels, stations and output – to help keep the nation informed, educated and entertained. We will continue to deliver essential news and information, with special programming and content.
‘We also will do everything from using our airwaves for exercise classes for older people, religious services, recipes and advice on food for older people and low-income families, and… education programming
‘Hopefully the odd smile’
for different age groups.’ he added: ‘We will also be launching a whole new iPlayer experience for children. And of course there will be entertainment, with the ambition of giving people some escapism and hopefully the odd smile.
‘There will be disruption to our output along the way but we will do our very best.’
The BBC is still working through the details of the plans. It is understood that The One Show and health Check UK Live are likely be among the main outlets for health advice and fitness.
The BBC said it would do ‘everything we can’ to keep the main news bulletins at breakfast, 1pm, 6pm and 10pm.
All local radio stations will work with volunteer groups to ‘help co-ordinate support for the elderly, house-bound or at risk’, letting them know how to get help in their area.
As part of the plans to provide ‘escapism’ and a ‘sense of connection’, the BBC will put new box sets on iPlayer including Spooks, The Missing, Waking The Dead, French and Saunders, Wallander and The honourable Woman. Radio 4 will delve into its drama archive, airing the novels of the Bronte sisters and Raymond Chandler’s stories.
The BBC will launch a ‘virtual church service’ on Sunday mornings across all local radio in england for those who can no longer attend their usual place of worship, with the first this weekend led by the Archbishop of Canterbury.
ITV chief executive Carolyn McCall, meanwhile, promised that ‘whatever happens’ it would continue to broadcast its six channels.
The broadcaster announced a weekly Monday night show called Coronavirus Report, produced by ITV News, giving viewers ‘in-depth insight’.