BBC SPORT SPRING RESTRUCTURE

BBC SPORT SPRING RESTRUCTURE
BBC SPORT are set to create a group of seven specialists to spearhead the BBC’s new-look sporting agenda.
Peter Salmon, Director of Sport unveiled the new plan and outlined five key changes within the Sport department structure.
He commented: “This is a structure for growth. The emphasis remains firmly on creativity, looking at how we use online and interactivity to the best effect for viewers and listeners, with a premium on innovation.”
The first change in structure comes from the creation of a senior team of seven sports, rights and production specialists. Four of these positions have already been filled. Senior sports executive Niall Sloane has been confirmed as Head of football and Boxing, while former BBC Breakfast editor Andrew Thompson takes up the position of New Media, Sports News and Development. Executive Editor at Radio Five Live Gordon Turnbull has been confirmed as Head of Radio and Dominic Coles will head up rights negotiations across all media.
The remaining roles are to be advertised this week, internally and externally.
The second key area of change involves the status of football. There is to be more focus on football, with two new programmes: ‘Football Focus’ and ‘Football Final Score’ becoming new stand alone fixtures in schedule listings. ‘Match of the Day’ will remain the flagship programme for live football. The BBC is also placing focus on the return of boxing, which will return in April with the Lennox Lewis title fight.
Thirdly, a cash investment is due to be injected into Saturday and Sunday’s ‘Grandstand’ in order to cement its position as primetime viewing.
The fourth key change is the creation of a new unit that is to drive creativity and partnerships with key sports and rights holders.
Fifthly, extra emphasis on creativity and technological advances to challenge traditional approaches to sport is an objective that is actively being pursued.
Peter Salmon said: “BBC Sport remains pre-eminent as the UK’s sport network, with strength across three media – television, radio and online – that no other broadcasters can match. This structure reflects today’s and tomorrow’s world of broadcast sport, where major events and competitions, rights innovation and quality production will be dominant.”(AMcE)

BBC SPORT are set to create a group of seven specialists to spearhead the BBC’s new-look sporting agenda.
Peter Salmon, Director of Sport unveiled the new plan and outlined five key changes within the Sport department structure.
He commented: “This is a structure for growth. The emphasis remains firmly on creativity, looking at how we use online and interactivity to the best effect for viewers and listeners, with a premium on innovation.”
The first change in structure comes from the creation of a senior team of seven sports, rights and production specialists. Four of these positions have already been filled. Senior sports executive Niall Sloane has been confirmed as Head of football and Boxing, while former BBC Breakfast editor Andrew Thompson takes up the position of New Media, Sports News and Development. Executive Editor at Radio Five Live Gordon Turnbull has been confirmed as Head of Radio and Dominic Coles will head up rights negotiations across all media.
The remaining roles are to be advertised this week, internally and externally.
The second key area of change involves the status of football. There is to be more focus on football, with two new programmes: ‘Football Focus’ and ‘Football Final Score’ becoming new stand alone fixtures in schedule listings. ‘Match of the Day’ will remain the flagship programme for live football. The BBC is also placing focus on the return of boxing, which will return in April with the Lennox Lewis title fight.
Thirdly, a cash investment is due to be injected into Saturday and Sunday’s ‘Grandstand’ in order to cement its position as primetime viewing.
The fourth key change is the creation of a new unit that is to drive creativity and partnerships with key sports and rights holders.
Fifthly, extra emphasis on creativity and technological advances to challenge traditional approaches to sport is an objective that is actively being pursued.
Peter Salmon said: “BBC Sport remains pre-eminent as the UK’s sport network, with strength across three media – television, radio and online – that no other broadcasters can match. This structure reflects today’s and tomorrow’s world of broadcast sport, where major events and competitions, rights innovation and quality production will be dominant.”(AMcE)