Disaster Strikes For BBC’s Winter Schedule
BBC One will headline its winter schedule with a big-budget docudrama showing the consequences of a volcanic eruption in America’s Yellowstone national park, hoping to draw viewers with combined programming worth £178 million over the winter season.
The move underlines the BBC’s commitment to high-quality drama with the series based on specially commissioned research from several major scientific bodies. Dubbed Supervolcano, the show details what could happen if Yellowstone were to erupt again and will be backed by a two part documentary running on BBC Two, The Science Behind Supervolcano, exploring the research that informed the drama.
In addition to Supervolcano, the BBC One will screen Genghis Khan, filmed on location in Mongolia and debating whether the much feared leader was a brutal monster, or a visionary who transformed his country.
Elsewhere, BBC One has lined up several high-profile dramas to supplement its big-budget spectaculars. Daniel Craig will star in the small-screen adaptation of Robert Harris’ best-seller, Archangel, while Sarah Lancashire and Timothy Spall star in Cherished, the true story of Angela Cannings, the mother wrongly convicted of killing two of her babies.
The winter schedule will also see TV favourite Dr Who return to screens across the country, with acclaimed actor Christopher Eccleston playing the Doctor, with Billie Piper as his companion, Rose Tyler.
Commenting on the new programme line-up, Lorraine Heggessey, controller BBC One, said: “BBC One continues to blaze a trail using innovative production techniques to bring specialist documentary subjects alive for a wide mainstream audience.”
She added: “We are constantly broadening the range of programmes in peak time to inform audiences about the natural, scientific and historical world.”
BBC One’s new schedule will go head to head with principal rival ITV, and although the nation’s largest commercial broadcaster will be eager to beat the BBC, both broadcasters will be eager to increase viewing share at any length following an extended period of decline.
The new schedule follows the BBC’s announcement of several high-profile commissions for the festive period, with blockbuster family movies backed with time honoured festive favourites.
Screenings of Hollywood hits such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Shrek and 102 Dalmatians looks set to ensure that BBC One obliterates ITV1 in the fiercely fought battle for Christmas ratings (see BBC Brings Out Big Guns For Christmas Ratings War).
The latest viewing figures from the IPA put ITV’s share of viewing at a near all time low of 21%, compared with a healthier 25.4% for BBC One (see Television Viewing Reaches Ten Year High).
BBC: 020 8743 8000 www.bbc.co.uk
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