BBC outlines coronavirus coverage plans

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 2mo

The BBC announces plans for coverage of the developing coronavirus crisis, including new programming, online assistance and iPlayer boxsets.

The BBC has unveiled plans to continue to inform the public as UK measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus gather pace.

People aged 70 and over have been advised to stay indoors, as have people displaying flu-like symptoms, while the working population have been told to work from home if possible.

As a result there is likely to be a significant demand for TV, radio and other entertainment services, including a need to distribute the latest health information to the public.

The BBC says it will "do everything we can" to keep flagship shows Breakfast, the One, Six and the Ten on air, while a special coronavirus programme will broadcast every Wednesday evening on BBC One.

Question Time will be moved into primetime - 8pm on Thursdays - with an adapted format to feature call-in questions and remote guests.

With schools across the UK inching closer towards shutdown, BBC Four is planning to broadcast a nightly programming block to assist GCSE and A-Level students.

Online, the BBC Food website will feature recipe collections using essential and cheap ingredients, while the BBC homepage will be reworked as an essential coronavirus 'bulletin board'.

A flurry of classic series will be introduced to iPlayer and BBC Sounds to keep audiences at home entertained, with the likes of Spooks, The Missing and French and Saunders all being made available to stream.

BBC director-general Tony Hall said: "We all know these are challenging times for each and every one of us. As the national broadcaster, the BBC has a special role to play at this time of national need.

"We need to pull together to get through this. That's why the BBC will be using all of its resources - channels, stations and output - to help keep the nation informed, educated and entertained. We are making a series of changes to our output to achieve that.

"Clearly there will be disruption to our output along the way, but we will do our very best. It will take time to emerge from the challenges we all face, but the BBC will be there for the public all the way through this."

Earlier today the corporation confirmed that filming has been suspended on all of its continuing dramas, including EastEnders, Casualty and Doctors.