In the 39 local radio stations, the "simplified" schedule that was introduced when the pandemic began in March will be made permanent. BBC England, home of the BBC’s local radio stations and regional TV news, will undergo a significant reinvention. iPlayer. “BBC management needs to answer these questions about the future of local radio news content.” Director of BBC England Helen Thomas said: “Providing local news and information is at the heart of what our local radio stations do and always will be. Helen Thomas, director of BBC England, said 'difficult decisions' had to be made on local and regional services 'created more than 50 years ago'. "I'm confident we can evolve our local and regional services while improving our impact and better serving our audiences. 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Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the importance of our local and regional services. The pandemic has added a further £125m to the BBC’s savings total due to a shortfall in revenue. Paul Adams Chief Executive at British American Tobacco London. BBC Radio 2 helen thomas But those services were created more than 50 years ago, have changed very little and need significant reinvention. The BBC has set out plans to transform its local services in England as it seeks to serve audiences better, respond to lessons learnt during the COVID-19 crisis and make savings to tackle its financial challenges. Helen Thomas Director BBC England at BBC. Labour's shadow minister for media, Chris Matheson, said: "While not unexpected, these cuts are still very damaging and unwelcome.". Helen represents teams and audiences across England, supported by her new leadership team, who will be based at … Anna Stewart. More than 150 roles are due to be lost in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, the corporation announced in June. Have a laugh with Kerry and Kurtan iPlayerHave a laugh with Kerry and Kurtan. Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the importance of our local and regional services. © 2021 BBC. But those services were created more than 50 years ago, have changed very little and need significant reinvention. Political coverage outside Westminster will increase, with the 11 regional Sunday morning political programmes on BBC One reinvigorated. ALISON BRANDWOOD. Continuing work already underway to explore what more the BBC can do in the North and the Midlands to better serve audiences in those regions. Modernising the BBC’s regional TV centres - investing in the latest technology and introducing a new, consistent operating model for each newsroom with digital story telling at its core. That means weekly current affairs programmes will no longer be made in Plymouth, Southampton, Tunbridge Wells, Nottingham and Salford. Any suggestion otherwise is … iPlayerWill Smith is the new prince in town! The proposed cuts are on top of the 450 redundancies previously announced - and subsequently put on hold - by BBC News. Aziz Rashid Former BBC News Exec. The role replaces Controller of BBC English Regions and the BBC says Thomas will have “direct editorial and operational responsibility across England” and will “oversee and enhance the BBC’s offer to communities across the country.”. Helen Thomas Director BBC England at BBC Manchester. This work is already underway with BBC England part funding the recent BBC Three documentary series Angels Of The North about a hair salon in Gateshead. The BBC has previously said it must save £125m this year because of financial pressures resulting from the coronavirus pandemic. Helen Thomas, the Director of BBC England, said: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the … She said: "That has meant taking some difficult decisions. The announcement comes two weeks after dozens of broadcasters from Stephen Fry to Sir Lenny Henry signed a letter asking the BBC not to cut its English regional current affairs programmes. “We’re going to modernise our offer to audiences in England by making digital a central part of everything we do. The cuts are expected to save £25m by 2022, and follow news of job losses in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These would go on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Follow us on Facebook, or on Twitter @BBCNewsEnts. University of Wales, Cardiff, +1 more. Inside Out will be replaced by a new investigative journalism programme, which will have six regional editions instead of the previous 11. In total, more than a million people have called or messaged the stations since the start of the campaign. Editor, Europe - Heard on the Street The Wall Street Journal Mar 2013 - Jun 2016 3 years 4 ... Others named Helen Thomas. iPlayer, Have a laugh with Kerry and Kurtan iPlayer, Can he leave behind his criminal past? Helen Thomas, the director of BBC England, said the corporation's local and regional services were created more than 50 years ago, and "have … Helen Thomas announced as new Head of Station for BBC Radio 2 Lorna Clarke, BBC Controller of Pop, has today confirmed Helen Thomas as the new Head of Station for BBC Radio … We’ll take forward lessons from COVID-19 that will make us more agile and more in touch with communities, while also ensuring we’re as efficient as we can be. We must adapt to better reflect how people live their lives, how they get their news and what content they want. How much does it matter what we eat in the morning and when we eat it? Read More Related Articles. Helen Thomas, the Director of BBC England, says: “I’m proud people have turned to us for trusted news and information in huge numbers during COVID-19, proving the … The aim is to ensure the BBC in England adapts to changing … In the BBC’s Annual Plan published earlier this year, a commitment was made to increase activity in places like Bradford, Sunderland, Wolverhampton, Blackpool and Peterborough. The new TV show to replace the magazine programme Inside Out will feature a single 30-minute investigation per episode, and will be made in London, Newcastle, Leeds, Birmingham, Bristol and Norwich. Helen has 3 jobs listed on their profile. VideoBees rescued after two years under shed, 'Interest in e-sports will only grow and grow'. Chris Rea. Helen Thomas appointed Director of BBC England - Televisual. Paul Adams. Helen Thomas has been appointed to the new role of Director of BBC England. We must adapt to better reflect how people live their lives, how they get their news and what content they want. We … The 6:30pm bulletins on BBC One will have one presenter, so the bulletins are consistent across England and in line with the rest of BBC News.