0:00:10 > 0:00:12Good afternoon and welcome to my kitchen.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15It's not really mine, is it? It's Max's kitchen from EastEnders
0:00:15 > 0:00:19and I've been invited here to put your questions to
0:00:19 > 0:00:21the Controller of BBC One, who's also really
0:00:21 > 0:00:24the Controller of EastEnders. So, Danny Cohen, welcome.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26Thank you.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Let me start with some EastEnders questions for you.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46Is that how it works? You get to 80 in EastEnders and you're shoved out?
0:00:46 > 0:00:49I think that's not the case with Eastenders. We haven't
0:00:49 > 0:00:52lost Dot. June Brown is going to be off the show for a short period,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54but I'm very hopeful she'll return.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I think the older characters
0:00:56 > 0:00:58in EastEnders are crucial to the show,
0:00:58 > 0:01:00crucial to the texture, the heritage.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03We know EastEnders is very important to older viewers.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06So I can assure everyone that older characters remain
0:01:06 > 0:01:07right at the heart of EastEnders.
0:01:14 > 0:01:19It's true, isn't it? There is nobody happy on EastEnders.
0:01:19 > 0:01:20I don't think it's true.
0:01:20 > 0:01:22The sense of misery sometimes, come on!
0:01:22 > 0:01:25In this kitchen you can sometimes have a laugh or two.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29I think they get a very good blend in EastEnders of high drama and humour.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31EastEnders is winning multiple, multiple awards.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34You can't move for flowers on your channel, either,
0:01:34 > 0:01:36because you've got the Chelsea Flower Show going on.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40And BBC Two was supposed to be the home of gardening,
0:01:40 > 0:01:43so why have you got all the flowers on BBC One?
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- It's a bit niche, gardening, isn't it?- I don't think that's the case.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56I think gardening has always been a very popular subject on television.
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Chelsea Flower Show is a really wonderful
0:01:58 > 0:02:01experience for BBC One and BBC Two viewers.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03The viewing figures we're already
0:02:03 > 0:02:06seeing for the Chelsea Flower Show indicate people love this content.
0:02:06 > 0:02:10It's once a year, it brings a great deal of pleasure to lots of viewers.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Some viewers may not like gardening. We know gardening is an extremely
0:02:13 > 0:02:15popular hobby for the population,
0:02:15 > 0:02:19particularly for television viewers. They get a lot from these programmes.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21There are lots of British institutions which are being
0:02:21 > 0:02:25broadcast this summer and I'll move to another one which is
0:02:25 > 0:02:30the Torch Relay and the question now of whether it's overkill.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53So first we've too many flowers, and now, too many torches.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56I think the torch route is something that characterises
0:02:56 > 0:02:59the run-up to the Olympics in any country
0:02:59 > 0:03:02that's lucky enough to hold the Olympics.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05We've seen huge crowds come out in some places to see the torch go by
0:03:05 > 0:03:07and following it region by region, town by town,
0:03:07 > 0:03:10is something that we're hearing viewers are really enjoying.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14There's a great sense of pride in parts of the UK as the torch comes through.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17- I don't think it's an issue for most viewers. - It's not overkill? Breakfast,
0:03:17 > 0:03:19- The One Show, regional programmes? - I don't think so.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22People get a lot from it. You see it region by region,
0:03:22 > 0:03:24We're bringing out some very special moments.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27So people really like it? Has that surprised you?
0:03:27 > 0:03:30I think there's a really exciting build-up to the Olympics.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33As a channel controller I couldn't be more proud and excited
0:03:33 > 0:03:37to have the Olympics on BBC One, and the build-up to it is something
0:03:37 > 0:03:39the country is getting excited about
0:03:39 > 0:03:41and I think the BBC is excited about, too.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44What are your plans for coverage of the Games themselves?
0:03:58 > 0:04:0167% - that would be a concern for you, wouldn't it?
0:04:01 > 0:04:03I dispute that figure.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05There's great deal of excitement across the UK
0:04:05 > 0:04:06about the Olympics.
0:04:06 > 0:04:09We know that from talking to viewers.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12It's going to be a really exciting event for the BBC
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and for the whole nation.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16The thing to remember is BBC One will be dominated
0:04:16 > 0:04:19by Olympic coverage in that period and so will BBC Three.
0:04:19 > 0:04:24BBC Two and BBC Four have a rich range of other programmes,
0:04:24 > 0:04:26so viewers will either be able to decide to watch the Olympics
0:04:26 > 0:04:29or watch the rich range of other kinds of programmes we can offer.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33But what about your super loyal BBC One viewer, who you clearly love?
0:04:33 > 0:04:36- I do. - If they don't like the Olympics,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- they've basically got to leave the country!- No, they don't.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42One thing to remember also is that some of the key BBC One titles
0:04:42 > 0:04:43will play on BBC Two in this period.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46So, for example, EastEnders, we are in the Branning kitchen now,
0:04:46 > 0:04:49that will be on BBC Two during the Olympic period.
0:04:49 > 0:04:53Those programmes won't stop during this period and after the Olympics they return to BBC One.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56So the anti-sport brigade are out in force, but maybe
0:04:56 > 0:04:58they will be appeased by a bit of pomp and circumstance,
0:04:58 > 0:05:01because you had the start to the whole Jubilee coverage
0:05:01 > 0:05:04with the Armed Forces' Parade.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23It sounds from what John Clark is saying that it was a bit
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- shoddy, that programme.- I was surprised by Mr Clark's comments
0:05:25 > 0:05:28and I'm sorry he didn't enjoy it.
0:05:28 > 0:05:31That military event was actually the most appreciated programme
0:05:31 > 0:05:34on BBC One that day - the most appreciations for it, of any
0:05:34 > 0:05:36BBC One programme and it scored very high
0:05:36 > 0:05:38on our quality index, which we track daily.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41I'm sorry he didn't enjoy it but I think the majority of viewers did.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44Let me turn our attention to one of the oldest jewels
0:05:44 > 0:05:48in BBC One's crown - 50 years it's been going -
0:05:48 > 0:05:50we're talking about Songs Of Praise,
0:05:50 > 0:05:54and there's a suggestion that maybe the Christian congregational
0:05:54 > 0:05:57singing that we're used to, should go multifaith.
0:05:57 > 0:06:01SONGS OF PRAISE THEME
0:06:02 > 0:06:07# Angel voices ever singing
0:06:07 > 0:06:10# Round thy throne... #
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Songs Of Praise is a long-standing, popular programme,
0:06:13 > 0:06:15that's steeped in tradition and my nan loves it.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19But I can't help feeling that the majority of today's multifaith
0:06:19 > 0:06:22population might feel overlooked by a celebration of Christianity.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31There are lots of different faiths and religions, other than Christianity,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34practised in the UK. Seeing as Islam is a major religion,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36surely a Muslim celebration
0:06:36 > 0:06:39of music and culture should also be introduced soon?
0:06:39 > 0:06:41This is, of course, forgetting the many other religions
0:06:41 > 0:06:42practised within the UK.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45HE READS FROM THE TORAH
0:06:47 > 0:06:50I don't have a problem with Songs Of Praise as a programme,
0:06:50 > 0:06:53but I believe there's a Christian bias in the BBC's programming
0:06:53 > 0:06:56and a severe lack of scheduling to cater for other faiths.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59If the BBC doesn't have room in its scheduling for all religions,
0:06:59 > 0:07:01then why not combine them all
0:07:01 > 0:07:03into one multifaith version of Songs Of Praise?
0:07:27 > 0:07:30So Songs Of Praise - would you maybe wake up one day
0:07:30 > 0:07:33as Controller and just say, "Ah, don't want it any more."
0:07:33 > 0:07:34I can't imagine that, I must admit.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37I think a programme that's been running for 50 years,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39an astonishing achievement, I think it shows how much it's loved
0:07:39 > 0:07:44by viewers and I've got no plans for us to stop making Songs Of Praise.
0:07:44 > 0:07:45Speaking of voices,
0:07:45 > 0:07:49we can't speak to you without talking about The Voice.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03As the judges might say, strong start, but pitchy in places.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06The Voice is on track to be the most successful first
0:08:06 > 0:08:09series of an entertainment show on BBC One in over a decade.
0:08:09 > 0:08:13I think in any first series you have bits that work fantastically,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16bits that you're going to keep working on,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19but I think viewers have responded unbelievably well to The Voice
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- and we're really proud. - Drop in ratings, though.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23I think we expected ratings to go up
0:08:23 > 0:08:26and down a bit in the first series, I think that always happens.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29I'm not surprised by that.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31You'll always expect a bit of here and there in a first series,
0:08:31 > 0:08:35but even at the numbers it's doing now, it's still hugely successful and we're proud of that.
0:08:35 > 0:08:39- But way behind Britain's Got Talent. - Britain's Got Talent is a show
0:08:39 > 0:08:42that's been on for... what is it... five, six, maybe more, years
0:08:42 > 0:08:44and I'm not really interested in competing with those shows.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47I want our show to be really good and enjoyed by BBC viewers.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Is it fair to say that the really distinctive thing was the chairs
0:08:50 > 0:08:54having their backs to the singers and once they turned, it wasn't
0:08:54 > 0:08:57distinctive and as Simon Cowell says, it's just like X Factor.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59I wouldn't criticise Mr Cowell.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02I think he does some fantastic programmes and I wouldn't want
0:09:02 > 0:09:05to comment on his programmes. I think after the swivel chair stage,
0:09:05 > 0:09:08we had the Battle Rounds which viewers enjoyed greatly.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10The key thing is it's based around the voice,
0:09:10 > 0:09:13the coaches make decisions based on the voice quality alone,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15one of its defining characteristics, as well as the tone
0:09:15 > 0:09:18of the show, which is very different to shows on other channels.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22- Are you looking at it and thinking, "Waste of money?"- Of course not.
0:09:22 > 0:09:25- You paid a lot for it?- I don't think viewers will think that either.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27The many millions watching it are not thinking that either.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Did you pay more than 10 million for it?
0:09:29 > 0:09:33We don't get into the specifics of each budget.
0:09:33 > 0:09:36It's certainly true entertainment shows are one of the more
0:09:36 > 0:09:38expensive programmes we make, along with drama and comedy,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41they generally cost more than factual programmes, but we don't
0:09:41 > 0:09:43tend to go into details of individual budgets.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46But it fits a definition of public service broadcasting?
0:09:46 > 0:09:49I believe it does, because I think on Saturday evenings,
0:09:49 > 0:09:52families around the country expect the BBC
0:09:52 > 0:09:55and BBC One to provide high-quality family entertainment.
0:09:55 > 0:09:57OK, let's go to another big title for BBC One
0:09:57 > 0:10:02and a long-running title as well - the medical drama Casualty,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05whose diagnosis, if some viewers are to be believed,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07is chronic inaccuracy
0:10:07 > 0:10:10in the portrayal of medical conditions.
0:10:10 > 0:10:15CASUALTY THEME
0:10:15 > 0:10:17It's been on the air for just over 25 years, but recently
0:10:17 > 0:10:22Casualty has covered conditions such as meningiomal tumours
0:10:22 > 0:10:24and cystic fibrosis wrongly,
0:10:24 > 0:10:26according to those watching very closely.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43I suffer from cystic fibrosis
0:10:43 > 0:10:46and I'm angry at a recent episode of Casualty
0:10:46 > 0:10:49featuring a CF storyline.
0:10:49 > 0:10:52Cross-infection is a very big issue within the CF world,
0:10:52 > 0:10:54but I feel that the writers and the actors
0:10:54 > 0:10:58went totally overboard in portraying this issue.
0:10:58 > 0:11:01Do you have any idea how dangerous this is?
0:11:01 > 0:11:05If you both have CF, you shouldn't be anywhere near each other.
0:11:05 > 0:11:07You could be making her sick.
0:11:07 > 0:11:08MONITOR BLEEPS
0:11:08 > 0:11:11- She's about to arrest.- She's now going to die, is she?
0:11:11 > 0:11:15See what you've done. Look, look at her! If my daughter dies...
0:11:15 > 0:11:17You two, out, now!
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Out now! Both of you, out!
0:11:20 > 0:11:24I felt very distressed and upset after watching it
0:11:24 > 0:11:27and I'm sure many young CF patients and their families
0:11:27 > 0:11:29felt the same way too.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Medical advice is absolutely at the heart of what
0:11:32 > 0:11:35we do here on Casualty, right from storylining, through scripts
0:11:35 > 0:11:38and that filters onto the floor with the performance aspects as well.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42I will advise the cast and writers
0:11:42 > 0:11:44from the early stages.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47I work also along with a team of doctors
0:11:47 > 0:11:49and also a paramedic adviser
0:11:49 > 0:11:52and together we make up the whole advising team.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56So for the CF storyline, we actually did a significant
0:11:56 > 0:11:58amount of research on this case,
0:11:58 > 0:12:02even more than we normally would do for a normal emergency case.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05We didn't want to portray them as people who are chronically ill,
0:12:05 > 0:12:08that this condition was dragging them down.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11But we also wanted to emphasise how serious it was and the implications of it.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14We're very aware of the responsibility to our audience,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17in terms of making sure we portray things accurately.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21But at the same time, we also have a responsibility to the audience
0:12:21 > 0:12:23to provide an engaging drama,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27so it's a fine balance between getting the research right,
0:12:27 > 0:12:30but also making sure it doesn't pull the drama out of the stories.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32Casualty there,
0:12:32 > 0:12:35and I think we've given your current schedule a real going-over, so
0:12:35 > 0:12:37tell us what you've got coming up for us,
0:12:37 > 0:12:39beyond the Jubilee and the Olympics.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42We get back to our normal schedule in the autumn.
0:12:42 > 0:12:43We've got a number of new dramas.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Are you putting money into drama at the expense of,
0:12:46 > 0:12:48say, factual programmes?
0:12:48 > 0:12:50No, we haven't moved the budgets around, really.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54Thankfully, we have quite a lot of high-profile drama, comedy
0:12:54 > 0:12:57and entertainment coming along like Call The Midwife, The Voice,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00but we haven't taken any money out of factual programming at all, no.
0:13:00 > 0:13:03Danny Cohen, thank you very much. I must be off and out of The Square.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Please keep sending us your views. You can write to:
0:13:09 > 0:13:12And you're also more than welcome to e-mail - the address is:
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Or jump on the messageboard before I jump on the EastEnders tube.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20That is:
0:13:22 > 0:13:24Or phone us. The number is charged
0:13:24 > 0:13:26as a local rate call from a landline and it is:
0:13:30 > 0:13:34And we'll be on BBC Two next week, as this particular barge
0:13:34 > 0:13:38has been punted out of the way by the Jubilee River Pageant.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41- BRAKES SQUEALING - That's my train. Goodbye.
0:13:43 > 0:13:45Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd