Category: Radio 4
Date: 01.03.2005
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Mark Damazer, Controller of Radio 4, today unveiled some new strands and schedule changes for the network.
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He said: "I want listeners to get the richest experience possible when they tune in.
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"They should find in Radio 4 the greatest range of programmes of the highest quality that play to their passions whether they be for unrivalled insights into the contemporary world or the best in new comedy and drama.
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"The changes I'm announcing today aren't large but I hope will strengthen an already powerful and compelling offering."
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12 new 90 minute adaptations of some of the most significant plays written for the British theatre since the Fifties (Saturdays, 2.30pm, in two tranches of six)
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A new 15 minute slot for topical fiction, giving a completely different insight into major events and written close to transmission (Saturdays, 7.00pm; repeat Sundays, 5.40pm)
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More Great Lives to run in tandem with A Good Read plus a repeat (Tuesdays, 4.30-5.00pm; repeat Fridays, 11.00pm)
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15 minute profile - giving listeners a different slant on someone in the spotlight (Saturdays, 7.00pm; repeat Sundays, 5.40pm) in tandem with the topical fiction
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A regular obituary strand which would use the lives of people who have died to explore broader themes (Fridays, 4.00-4.30pm).
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The new programmes will become part of the schedule by Spring 2006.
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Some of these new programmes will be open, in the new commissioning round, to independent suppliers as well as in-house producers in the commissioning round that was launched today.
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Independent and in-house producers have been also asked to offer multi-part series on broad historical subjects in this latest commissioning round.
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In addition to the new programmes there will be some minor schedule changes, these include:
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The Film Programme moves to Fridays, 4.30-5.00pm
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Word Of Mouth and Law In Action move from Fridays to Tuesdays, 4.00-4.30pm
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The Message moves to Fridays, 1.30-2.00pm, in tandem with Feedback (repeat Sundays, 8.00pm)
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The Learning Curve will now repeat from 8.30 to 9.00pm on Mondays
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Saturday Review will begin at 7.15pm on Saturdays instead of 7.00pm
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A World In Your Ear and Nice Work move to Saturdays at 5.30pm.