BBC Radio 2 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Light Programme.

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Michael Grade: On the Box

Michael Grade: On the Box: Episode 2: Aunty Fights Back

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Episode 2

Episode 2: Aunty Fights Back

Aunty Fights Back

BBC Radio 2 - Michael Grade: On the Box, Aunty Fights Back

How the BBC refreshed its television offering and began to compete against ITV.

The story of TV seen from Michael's unique and personal viewpoint. How the BBC refreshed its television offering and began to compete against ITV.

He's the only man who's run the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV. In this series for Radio 2, Michael Grade tells the inside story of Britain's television industry. It's a story that takes us from Alexandra Palace in London to Southfork Ranch in Dallas. The series examines the key milestones in the story of TV seen from Michael's unique and personal viewpoint.

In 1973, Michael Grade joined London Weekend Television as Deputy Controller of Programmes (Entertainment), "I realised that TV was destined to be the entertainment medium of the future".

In the second programme, 'Aunty Fights Back', Michael considers how, under the leadership of Director General Hugh Greene, the BBC refreshed its television offering and began to compete against ITV.

Michael recalls landmark dramas like 'Cathy Comes Home' with its Producer Tony Garnett, the controversial Falklands' film 'Tumbledown' with its Director Richard Eyre and the significance of BBC ONE'S weekly 'Play For Today' strand.

The programme also examines the launch of BBC2, the impact of 'That's Life!' and 'Child Watch' and the significance of the arts strand 'Monitor'. And Michael recalls the genesis and influence of 'Live Aid' which he green lit for BBC ONE.

The series features a wealth of newly recorded personal interviews with many of the people Michael has worked with over the years, and this programme includes contributions from Bob Geldof, Esther Rantzen, Sharon Osbourne, Angela Rippon, and Melvyn Bragg, TV Drama Executives Jeremy Isaacs and Peter Bazalgette, Historian Asa Briggs, Professors Anthony Smith and Christopher Frayling, Producer William G. Stewart and former Channel Controllers Paul Fox and Jonathan Powell.

Presented by Michael Grade
Written and produced by Malcolm Prince.

Amazing music. Played by an amazing line up.

Radio 2: Amazing music. Played by an amazing line-up. The home of great music, entertainment and documentaries

Michael Grade tells the inside story of Britain's television industry

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Michael Grade: On the Box

Episode 2: Aunty Fights Back

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