Portal:BBC/BBC news archive 2006

This page is an archive of previous news stories from the Portal:BBC/BBC news page that appeared in 2006. For previous news stories from 2007 see the 2007 Archive.

Long-time producer of the Radio 2 show Wake Up To Wogan Paul Waters has sadly died aged 59. He had been with the station since 1977, originally joining the BBC's film department in 1954. More: BBC News Online
 * 21 October 2006 - Death of Paul Waters

Members of journalism union Bectu have voted in favour of strike action in response to changes in shift times introduced by the BBC. Union leaders are to meet to decide upon a date; if the action were to occur, main news operations such as BBC News 24 and bulletins on BBC One would be affected. Main story: BBC News Online
 * 2 November 2006 - News staff planning to strike

The annual charity event BBC Children in Need telethon raised £18,300,392 on the night, beating its previous record set last year. The charity has recently received criticism for how funds are used. More information at bbc.co.uk/pudsey.
 * 21 November 2006 - Children in Need breaks previous years record

Chairman of the BBC Governors, Michael Grade, has resigned with immediate effect from his position to take up the vacant post of Chief Executive at ITV. Mr Grade will begin in the position from January 2007. His replacement will be appointed by the Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
 * 3 December 2006 - Michael Grade moves to ITV

The annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year award was held for the first time at the NEC in Birmingham in front of over 5,000. Zara Phillips won the award with amongst others, Roger Federer receiving Best Overseas Personality in an award chosen by votes from the audience.
 * 12 December 2006 - Sports Personality of the Year 2006

The BBC Governors led by acting chairman Anthony Salz have approved plans to move certain BBC departments to Manchester, part of plans to cut costs and give greater value for money to licence fee payers. Suggested departments include BBC Sport and Children's, as well as Radio Five Live and Sports Extra. The new base in Salford is planned to become a major media hub for the region. More information
 * 15 December 2006 and 19 December 2006 - Governors approve Manchester move plan

Tessa Jowell, Minister for Culture, has told the House of Commons that she expects the move to go ahead. She told MPs "I can say this afternoon that it is my expectation that the BBC will make that move."

"The government will ensure that the structure of the licence fee settlement makes clear that the move to the North West will happen."

BBC News Online

Former BBC Chairman Lord Marmaduke Hussey has died aged 83. Appointed Chairman in 1986, his tenure involved the BBC facing accusations of holding a liberal left-wing bias as well as being an appointee of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher to "sort out" the corporation. He later dismissed Director-General Alasdair Milne in 1987.
 * 27 December 2006 - Death of Lord Hussey

Awarded a life peerage in the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, Lord Hussey married Lady Susan Waldegrave, a lady-in-waiting to the Queen and godmother to Prince William. The couple had a son a daughter.

Obituary