Graeme in Feb 2008 Doctor Who CD / BBC cuts affect Bill?
18/10/2007 00:00 GMT

Posted by lisa

* Graeme will be part of the guest cast in a new Big Finish Doctor Who CD to be released in February 2008 entitled "Max Warp".


* Articles are starting to appear about the cuts being made at the BBC over the next few years to make up for budget shortfalls.  At least two articles so far say the "Wild strand" will be dropped; it is noted (see excepts below) that this included Bill Oddie's shows "Wild in Your Country" and "Wild in Your Garden".  "Wild in Your Garden" evolved into "Springwatch"; it's unclear to me whether that show is affected as well (if anyone has further information about that please let us know).

From the Digital Spy: The BBC's factual department will be overhauled, with the creation of a single studio in London and a greater emphasis on making more programmes based outside the capital. Under a plan to make "fewer but better" shows, "middle-weight" strands such as Bill Oddie's natural history series Wild will be dropped in favour of landmark shows such as the Discovery co-production Planet Earth and Andrew Marr's History of Modern Britain.

From The Guardian: "Speaking at a press conference today at Television Centre in west London, the BBC Vision director, Jana Bennett, said that natural history strand Wild is being dropped as part of an overall reduction in the amount of "middle-weight" factual programmes. Made by the BBC natural history unit, the Wild strand has included Wild in Your Country and Wild in Your Garden - both fronted by Bill Oddie.