TV News Archive

TVLives News Archive contains a selection of past news items from the TV industry, which we previously featured in TV Lives.

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Broadcast Talking Points

TV News: Golden Globes

TV News: British Comedy Awards

TV News: UK shines at International Emmys

December 2006:

Michael Parkinson signed a new contract with ITV, keeping him there until 2008

Grade Jumps Ship:

On November 27 2006, Michael Grade resigned as BBC chairman to join ITV. Here is Michael Grade's letter to BBC staff.

International Emmys announced:

* Arts programming - Knowledge is the Beginning (Germany)
* Best performance by an actor - Ray Winstone, Vincent (UK)
* Best performance by an actress - Maryam Hassouni, Offers (Netherlands)
* Children and Young People - Sugar Rush (UK)
* Comedy - Little Britain (UK)
* Documentary - Hiroshima (UK)
* Drama series - Life on Mars (UK)
* Non-scripted entertainment - Ramsay's Kitchen Nightmares (UK)
* TV movie/mini-series - Nuit Noire, October 17, 1961 (France)
* Founders award - Steven Spielberg

Des O'Connor is to take over from Des Lynam as the host of Channel 4's Countdown.

Doctor Who takes three National Television Awards: Doctor Who won three prizes at the National Television Awards: most popular drama, most popular actress (Billie Piper), and most popular actor (David Tennant). For more details see the BBC report.

Peter Barkworth dies: Peter Barkworth, who starred in Telford's Change, has died on 21 October 2006.

NBC have announced two important new TV web initiatives: On October 10 NBC revealed the first webisode of Jay Leno's Garage and at the same time they announced as part of their ongoing "TV 360" approach to its series, that Late Night with Conan O'Brien will introduce a new series of webisodes featuring comedian Jim Gaffigan's popular animated creation Pale Force. NBC pointed out: "This marks Late Night's first foray into original digital programming. ..."

Raymond Baxter dies: Raymond Baxter, who presented Tomorrow's World for its first 12 years has died at the age of 84.

Elizabeth I reigns at the Emmys: Elizabeth I picked up four more Emmys to add to its haul of 5 'creative' Emmys last week. Other notable successes were 24, My Name Is Earl, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, and Richard Curtis's TV movie The Girl in The Cafe. The American version of The Office won Outstanding Comedy Series.

Big Brother (UK) ratings higher than last year: The final of Big Brother in the UK was watched by 8.2m people (a 45.6% share) which beat the comparable peak last year of 7.8m.

Noel Edmonds back on BBC1: Noel Edmonds, who presented the first National Lottery in 1994, is to present a one-off show about the Lottery's good causes - his first time on the BBC for 7 years.

The Simpsons strike again: The Simpsons have won the Emmy for the best animated programme. It was the ninth time.

America's Got Talent winner is just 11: Bianca Ryan, 11, has won $1m on America's Got Talent.

ITV's Charles Allen finally goes: ITV chief executive Charles Allen has resigned. Earlier this year, ITV with Allen at the helm rejected a takeover approach from a group led by Greg Dyke - since which time the channel's ratings have experienced a slump.

Jason Alexander to guest on Everybody Hates Chris: Jason Alexander, who probably gets fed up as being referred to as George Costanza in Seinfeld (what's one more time?), will guest star in two episodes of Everybody Hates Chris and will direct a third episode.

Grey's Anatomy awarded best program: Grey's Anatomy has been named best program at the Television Critics Association (USA) awards.

Film4 (UK) is free and starts well: On Sunday 23 July 2006, Channel 4 launched Film4 as a free-to-view channel. It kicked off with Lost in Translation, which gained the highest audience ever for a multichannel launch, attracting 735,000 viewers (4.6%).

Eddie from Frasier has passed away: Eddie, the Jack Russell terrier in Frasier, whose real name was Moose, passed away at 16 in L.A. on 22 June 2006

Rolf Harris, Esther Rantzen and Gary Rhodes amongst those honoured: Rolf Harris and Esther Rantzen have been awarded CBEs, whilst Gary Rhodes won an OBE. The Queens Birthday Honours also included CBEs for the two founders of Aardman Animations, Peter Lord and David Sproxton. Other notable awards in the entertainment sector were an OBE for Rudolph Walker, who plays Patrick Trueman in EastEnders; an MBE for Beverley Knight who had the tough job of training Nicky Campbell to sing; and a knighthood for distinguished broadcaster, Charles Wheeler.

Holby City Spin-Off: BBC1 is to make a spin-off of Holby City with a series set in a police station. The new show has the working title Holby Blue.

Grandstand is a goner. The BBC is to revamp its sports coverage on Saturdays and is getting rid of Grandstand in 2009. Surely a strange move? Meanwhile BBC2 alienates its audience as it continues to show endless snooker.