Exclusive: BBC News is gearing up to hire its first royal editor, with potential candidates emerging as the broadcaster looks to capitalize on soaring audience interest in the British monarchy.
BBC News has traditionally appointed royal correspondents, but the corporation has decided to elevate the role after Nicholas Witchell, a 25-year veteran of the beat, announced he will retire in 2024.
Insiders believe that it will be the first time in the corporation’s history it has installed a royal editor. Jean Seaton, the BBC’s official historian, was unaware of the broadcaster previously having the position.
Recruitment is expected to begin early next year, with the chosen candidate taking their place alongside household names including political editor Chris Mason and international editor Jeremy Bowen.
Speculation is already mounting over who may land the post, which will catapult a journalist into the heart of BBC coverage of key national moments including royal events and deaths.
BBC News has traditionally appointed royal correspondents, but the corporation has decided to elevate the role after Nicholas Witchell, a 25-year veteran of the beat, announced he will retire in 2024.
Insiders believe that it will be the first time in the corporation’s history it has installed a royal editor. Jean Seaton, the BBC’s official historian, was unaware of the broadcaster previously having the position.
Recruitment is expected to begin early next year, with the chosen candidate taking their place alongside household names including political editor Chris Mason and international editor Jeremy Bowen.
Speculation is already mounting over who may land the post, which will catapult a journalist into the heart of BBC coverage of key national moments including royal events and deaths.
- 12/8/2023
- by Jake Kanter
- Deadline Film + TV
Michael Grade may be one of the British television industry’s elder statesmen, but this does not necessarily make him the right person to lead the country’s TV regulator Ofcom, apparently.
Professor Jean Seaton, the BBC’s official historian, labelled the 79-year-old former producer turned TV executive “too old to be chair of Ofcom, too lazy to be chair of Ofcom, too many conflicts of interest” at a panel to discuss the BBC’s future, which took place at Hay Festival on Saturday.
The professor accused the government, which appointed Grade to the post, of “an enormous bullying attack,” saying there was “clearly an agenda” and the government was not interested in hearing alternative views.
The process for appointing a new Ofcom boss was particularly fraught, with Daily Mail boss Paul Dacre previously revealing he had applied for the role, then told he wasn’t suitable, then invited to reapply.
Professor Jean Seaton, the BBC’s official historian, labelled the 79-year-old former producer turned TV executive “too old to be chair of Ofcom, too lazy to be chair of Ofcom, too many conflicts of interest” at a panel to discuss the BBC’s future, which took place at Hay Festival on Saturday.
The professor accused the government, which appointed Grade to the post, of “an enormous bullying attack,” saying there was “clearly an agenda” and the government was not interested in hearing alternative views.
The process for appointing a new Ofcom boss was particularly fraught, with Daily Mail boss Paul Dacre previously revealing he had applied for the role, then told he wasn’t suitable, then invited to reapply.
- 6/3/2022
- by Caroline Frost
- Deadline Film + TV
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