Michael Grade

So, it looks like Michael Grade will be the new Chairman of the BBC . I hope this turns out to be true, as he's got a really excellent track record. It was him who, as Director-General of the Beeb, moved Neighbours to its 5.35pm slot, rescuing it from mid morning obscurity and exposing a whole generation to Mrs Mangel (my goodness me that's a scarily detailed site!)

Ok, perhaps that's not his finest achievement but in all seriousness, I think it's an excellent sign that the BBC haven't been too emasculated (for wont of a better word) by Hutton. After all, Grade fought tooth and nail to ensure Channel 4's financial freedom from the ITV networks in the early nineties (earning C4 a whole load of money which the next guy Michael "Wacko" Jackson frittered away on e4 and the rapid expansion and then collapse of Film Four.) He was also a vigorous exponent of freedom of expression, and was extremely supportive of the channel's drama output.

Anyway - let's hope it doesn't turn out to be a false alarm....