MX23RW : Wednesday, February 19 16:04:24| >> :600:110419645:110419645:

BBC 'will learn lessons from coverage of Prince Philip's death'

BBC 'will learn lessons from coverage of Prince Philip's death'
© Reuters
The BBC's director-general reportedly says that the corporation will learn lessons following complaints over the level of its coverage of Prince Philip's death in April.

BBC director-general Tim Davie has insisted that the corporation will 'learn lessons' from its coverage of the death of Prince Philip earlier this year.

The Duke of Edinburgh - companion to The Queen for more than 80 years - died on April 9 at the age of 99 and as per protocol, BBC programming was interrupted for the announcement of his death shortly after midday.

The decision was then taken to cancel the day's remaining programming on almost every BBC television channel and radio station in order to provide continuous coverage of the major news event.

The move meant that for most of the day, BBC One and BBC Two broadcast identical programming and shows such as the MasterChef final, an England Women football match and EastEnders were all either axed or moved online to make way.

As a result the BBC received a record number of complaints in the days that followed, with almost 110,000 people registering their dissatisfaction at the level of coverage before the online complaints form was taken down.

According to minutes from the BBC's board meeting on April 22, Davie said that in light of the viewer backlash, there were "lessons to be learned" for future coverage of events of similar magnitude.

Davie added, however, that the level of coverage "had reflected the role of the BBC as the national broadcaster and the response of production teams had been accomplished, both in the implementation of the technical plans and editorial".

Coverage of Philip's funeral later in the month averaged more than 13 million viewers in the UK, with the majority watching the BBC's broadcast.

ID:460088:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect2126:
Written by
Neil Wilkes

Follow us on Bluesky or on X/Twitter and like us on Facebook for the latest entertainment news alerts.

Media Mole's Lowest Ever Sky Offer: Get Sky Essential, Sky Stream & Netflix for just £15 a month + £0 upfront fee for 24 months!
Prices may change during this period. Ends March 19, 2025


Click here for more stories about Prince Philip

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Imelda Staunton as The Queen in The Crown
Read Next:
Netflix shares first-look image of Imelda Staunton in The Crown
>
rhs 2.0
New TV Picks header

Wednesday, February 19


EastEnders: BBC One, 7.30pm
A special hour-long episode to mark 40 years since the residents of Walford first graced our screens

Coronation Street: ITVX, from 7am and ITV1, 8pm
Ryan overhears Bobby preparing to collect some cash, while Lisa is questioned about Rob

The Father: Film4, 9pm
Oscar-winning Anthony Hopkins stars as a man with dementia struggling to piece together his reality