Investment for BBC Two and Radio 4

The BBC has vowed to invest more money in comedy for BBC Two and Radio 4 in the next year.

BBC executives made the promise in their annual report, published today, saying that their policy of investing in the genre has started to bear fruit, citing examples such as Miranda Hart’s sitcom Miranda.

The document said: ‘While comedy is showing real signs of renewal on many BBC services, we want to see more confidence and creativity in entertainment.

‘We will invest more money in BBC Two content as it works to rebuild its reputation for signature television drama using UK talent and telling UK stories, as well as establishing a stronger and more distinctive role in comedy.’

And it adds that Radio 4 ‘the sole UK provider of radio comedy in any scale’ will ‘offer at least 180 hours of original comedy (excluding repeats)’ in the next 12 months.

The corporation says ‘excellence, originality and variety will continue to form the basis of our strategies for drama and comedy’ – filling a gap not always covered by commercial broadcasters.

However the most notable decision in the report is the BBC Trust’s decision to save 6 Music following a vociferous campaign from listeners.

Published: 5 Jul 2010