BBC Statements Of Programme Policy Published

The BBC's Statements of Programme Policy (SoPPs) have been published online.
The statements detail, service-by-service, how the BBC will deliver its public service remit across its portfolio over the year ahead.
The BBC said that the priorities outlined for 2008/2009 reflected what audiences said that they wanted from the broadcaster.
In October 2007, the BBC Trust approved the BBC's Delivering Creative Future Strategy, setting out a vision and roadmap for the next five years.
It is a strategy focused on delivering the BBC's six public purposes by providing value to all audiences, investing simultaneously in linear and non-linear services, serving the whole of the UK and helping the UK prepare for a digital future.
Building on this strategy, the Statements of Programme Policy (SoPPs) set out editorial priorities for each of the BBC's services for the coming year.
The SoPPs include the BBC's commitments and conditions as set out in the service licenses and by Ofcom.
Commitments in 2008/2009 include continuing commitment to international, national and local journalism of the highest quality and integrity, with plans to build on the success of the 8pm bulletin in attracting audiences who do not watch the BBC's other bulletins.
The BBC has also committed to providing a range of inspiring and thoughtful knowledge building content. The 150th anniversary of Darwin's 'On The Origin of Species' will be marked, while Simon Schama will examine American history in the run-up to the US election. Radio 4's ambitious natural history project 'World On The Move' will also cover animal migration on five continents.
The BBC also said that it would continue to focus on high-quality drama, combining returning series with innovative new programmes such as 'Bonekickers' (about a team of archaeologists), complemented by distinctive series such as 'The Diary Of Anne Frank' and a new adaptation of 'Little Dorrit' by Charles Dickens. BBC Two will focus on single plays and authored pieces including 'Burn Up', a two-part thriller from Simon Beaufoy and a thought-provoking piece from Frank Cottrell Boyce, 'God On Trial'
Highlights in music programming will include a landmark collection of newly commissioned recordings to celebrate the work of British songwriters on Radio 2, and the marking on Radio 3 of the anniversaries associated with Vaughan Williams in 2008 and Purcell, Handel, Haydn and Mendelssohn from the beginning of 2009.
2008 will also be a major year of sport for the BBC, with BBC One leading the multi-platform coverage of Euro 2008 and the Beijing Olympics. Formula One motor racing also returns to the BBC, following an absence of 14 years.
The BBC will also build on the success of the BBC iPlayer by developing bbc.co.uk to include a broad range of the BBC's broadcast content, as well as new and interactive forms of media that enable audiences to interact with and contribute to the website.
(KMcA/JM)