Controller pilots new comedy shows to counter the misery

Radio 4 is ramping up its comedy ambitions after a year of misery.

Channel controller Mohit Bakaya has vowed a raft of new pilots to give the station a lighter feel, admitting that there was little on-air respite from 12 months of ‘relentless’ bad news

Speaking on Radio 4’s audience response show Feedback, Mr Bakaya said he wanted to ‘up our level of fun’ to counter coverage of political turmoil, the Queen’s death and war in Ukraine.

‘Given what a big political year it was this year, we didn’t always bring enough escapism and joy to the audience,’ he said.

‘I think sometimes it felt like it was kind of relentless and I think people were looking for avenues of escape.’

‘I know we’re looking at various series to try and talk about little stories of things that people do which bring hope and joy to people’s lives.

‘I think we’re also looking at a whole range of new comedy pilots to just really kind of up our level of fun.’

Published: 26 Dec 2022