Alan Yentob: 'The BBC can't compete with its hands tied behind its back'

BBC's creative director on his closeness to Tony Hall, competition from rivals like Google – and his plan for more appsAlan Yentob is having his picture taken on a staircase overlooking the vast BBC newsroom at New Broadcasting House and telling me about the flooding at his house in Somerset when we are interrupted by annoyed news staff.They ask us to move as flashes from the camera can be seen on-screen on the BBC News Channel – illustrating the perils of having a newsroom as a backdrop for live bulletins.Yentob apologises and we retire to his office – a former radio drama kitchen that sits between Old and New Broadcasting House. Apt, as Yentob bridges the old and new within the organisation. His office is narrow but cosy – desk stacked with books and an Alan Yentob mask someone sent him. There is a fold-up bike below his desk, just like the one Hugh Bonneville's character Ian Fletcher has as head of BBC Values in John Morton's forthcoming follow-up to Twenty Twelve, W1A, in which Yentob has a cameo.But as there's no table, we move to director general Tony Hall's office. As he confirms, Yentob played a part in bringing Hall back to the BBC after George Entwistle resigned. "I always felt that Tony should've been the director general. Yes, I did talk to [Lord Patten] about it and I did speak to Tony. For Tony it wasn't without its risks, he loved his [Royal Opera House] job."It seemed his influence might wane under Entwistle, but it is obvious he is now back at the heart... Continue reading at 'The Guardian'

[ The Guardian | 2014-02-17 00:00:00 UTC ]
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Distro Issue 104: Prep for class with Engadget's back to school guide

Unfortunately, it's time to hit the books once more. Don't get completely bummed out by the start of classes because this special issue of our weekly e-magazine has all of the top picks for back to school gear. That's right, from laptops to portable audio, we've narrowed down the best tech... Continue reading at Engadget

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Fall Regionals 2013: Getting Back to Basics

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Apple fires back, calls DOJ ebook remedies 'draconian and punitive'

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Canongate ties up Animals

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Happy birthday, Harry Potter! A look back at Harry's special days

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12 Companies That Have Cut Ties With Paula Deen

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Nook: Barnes & Noble will hand off tablet manufacturing to a third party

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Life without Amazon? Barefoot Books is the David that cut ties to Goliath

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Digital Pioneer Goes Back to Print: No Ebook of Stephen King’s Latest

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US court backs Google book plans

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PublishNews Brazil: Saraiva Gets New CEO, Book Policies Go Back to Brasilia

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BBC book promo complaint not upheld

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