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BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2)

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1963-12-04 Variety p23.jpg

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London, Dec. 3.

BBC-TV's drama department, newly styled and reconstructed under the wing of Sydney Newman, is prepping to beef up its output of dramatic series and serials. Now under the personal supervision of Donald Wilson, former script head at BBC-TV, this particular limb of the corporation's drama operation is snapping Into a new high gear with plans for new shows on both BBC-1 and BBC-2.

Following the rating success of twice-weekly prime time sooner, "Compact," Wilson is working on a second bi-weekly serial protect thus bringing BBC in line with the commercial network which has two bi - weeklies. "Coronation Street" and "Emergency Ward 10".

In addition, Wilson is starting a 52-week serial on Saturday evenings, "Dr. Who," which will bridge the gap between Sat. afternoon sports audience and the early Peak time crowd. Latter show, a first effort by producer Verity Lambert, is intentioned to have kidadult appeal. Meanwhile, he is continuing with the regular Sunday 5-6 p.m. classic serials —among those coming up are adaptations of the "Count of Monte Cristo" and "Martin Chusalewit." Wilson is in the market for more crime serials for BBC-1 and has already parted with such writers as Francis Durbridge. Victor Canning, Ken Hughes, Nigel Balchin and Nigel Kneale for one serial each.

On BBC-2, the web's upcoming UHF outlet which will beam initially some 30 hours a week, two of the four drama slots have been made available for Wilson's serials. Intention here Is to screen "adult" cliffhangers and to serialize the world's greatest novels. First, of the latter category will be "Madame Bovary." set to bow In April when BBC-2 opens. Others include the "Brothers Karamazov," "Ann Veronica Germinal" and "Witchwood."

Says Wilson: "The serials on BBC-2 will be put out fairly late at night so we won't have the restriction of children in the audience."

Another innovation, the BBC-2 serials will he scripted to a length of 45 minutes as opposed to the more familiar 30 minutes.

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  • APA 6th ed.: (1963-12-04). BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2). Variety p. 23.
  • MLA 7th ed.: "BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2)." Variety [add city] 1963-12-04, 23. Print.
  • Chicago 15th ed.: "BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2)." Variety, edition, sec., 1963-12-04
  • Turabian: "BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2)." Variety, 1963-12-04, section, 23 edition.
  • Wikipedia (this article): <ref>{{cite news| title=BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/BBC_Stepping_Up_Its_Drama_Output_(For_Webs_1_%26_2) | work=Variety | pages=23 | date=1963-12-04 | via=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=7 February 2025 }}</ref>
  • Wikipedia (this page): <ref>{{cite web | title=BBC Stepping Up Its Drama Output (For Webs 1 & 2) | url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/BBC_Stepping_Up_Its_Drama_Output_(For_Webs_1_%26_2) | work=Doctor Who Cuttings Archive | accessdate=7 February 2025}}</ref>


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