BBC Seeks‍ New Comedy Entertainment Format​ for iPlayer &⁤ BBC Two

BBC Entertainment Commissioning⁢ is actively soliciting‌ proposals for a brand new comedy entertainment format. The commission aims for a series ⁤of ten 30-minute ⁤episodes, intended for‍ a two-week strip across BBC iPlayer and⁤ BBC Two.

The‌ focus ⁢is on discovering a⁣ format that prioritizes humor, spontaneity, and genuine​ interaction‍ over heavily scripted or current-affairs ‌driven content. The ideal show should be easily binge-watched,​ suitable⁢ for multiple viewings in‌ a single session, or enjoyable as standalone episodes. BBC is looking for a program‍ with strong shareability and the potential to become a ​regular viewing appointment,⁣ featuring a blend of‌ established and emerging comedic talent, or well-known personalities with a natural comedic flair and⁤ strong on-screen chemistry.

Kalpna ‍Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment Commissioning, emphasized the desire for innovation, stating, “we’re not ‍looking for the ‌traditional shows that have occupied this space ⁤historically, but if there​ is ⁤something fresh, funny and pure fun ⁢that is rooted in universal themes and banter then we want to hear from you.”

Triumphant applicants will be UK-based production​ companies demonstrating a history of delivering​ high-volume content with⁣ fast turnaround ⁣times,or partnering with a company ‍possessing that capability.

Shortlisted concepts ⁣will receive paid progress, with the intention of commissioning one series. Detailed information regarding budget, delivery requirements, and submission guidelines is available on the⁢ BBC Commissioning website: https://www.bbc.co.uk/commissioning/news/comedy-entertainment-format-december-2025.

The deadline for initial submissions is ⁢February 27, 2026. Paid development is ⁤scheduled to begin in April 2026, with anticipated ⁢delivery and broadcast‍ in Winter 2026.⁣

BBC Entertainment ‍Commissioning also⁣ announced plans to reveal details of‌ another comedy entertainment opportunity for production companies next year.

University of Alabama Faces‌ Calls to Reinstate Student Publications After Controversial Censorship

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama is facing mounting pressure from students, faculty, and advocacy groups to reinstate two student publications, Alice Magazine and Nineteen Fifty-Six, after the administration effectively ‍shut them down following the arrest of a staff writer weeks after the spring commencement address. The publications were removed from the University’s funding and operational support, sparking accusations of selective enforcement of the First Amendment and a⁣ chilling effect on student journalism.

The editorial board of⁤ The Crimson White, the University’s student newspaper, ​published a‍ scathing critique of the administration’s actions, arguing that the University is “cherry-picking whom it deems worthy of the protections of the First ⁤Amendment.”⁢ They contend that the silencing of the publications sends a message that the ⁢voices⁤ of immigrants and those supporting diversity are “viewed as less than.”

The controversy stems from ⁢the arrest of a Nineteen fifty-Six staff writer, Doroudi, weeks after the commencement ‌address.Following the arrest, the ⁢University removed recognition and funding from both​ publications.

The Crimson White editorial draws parallels⁤ to a 2022 campaign that successfully‌ pressured the UA System Board of Trustees to fully remove the name⁣ of Ku klux Klan member Bibb Graves from bibb Graves Hall, renaming it⁣ Lucy-Graves‍ Hall in ⁤honor of Autherine Lucy Foster, the University’s first Black student. students organized a website, action plan, petition, and open letter, while faculty and the Student Government Association (SGA) also voiced their opposition. ​The trustees ultimately relented following community outcry and national media attention.

The Crimson White is urging students and faculty to follow that example, calling on the SGA to pass ⁣a resolution ‌condemning the censorship⁢ and encouraging students to sign a petition at https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/reinstate-alice-and-1956-to-the-university-of-alabama-s-campus,protest the ⁤decision,and contact UA President Peter Mohler directly.

The editorial​ board – Maven Navarro, Jacob ⁤Ritondo, Emma Brandenburg, ⁤Ella Seaton, Lauren Chumbley, ⁢and Rachel Talley – concludes with a⁣ direct challenge to the University: “Have the backbone that the University doesn’t.”

Boston marathon‍ Organizers ‍Address Runner Concerns wiht New Celebration Jacket Design

BOSTON, MA – Following criticism of the ⁢2024 finisher medal and a highly competitive applicant​ pool ​for⁣ the 2026 race, the boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) is‍ aiming too deliver a more positive experiance for marathoners with the unveiling of ⁤the 2025 ⁣Boston Marathon celebration jacket. The design comes after an online backlash to the initial jacket reveal, signaling a responsiveness to runner feedback.

The 130th edition of the Boston Marathon, scheduled for Monday, April 20, 2026,⁤ continues to generate significant interest. This year’s application process saw a near-record 33,267 applicants, the⁤ second-highest ​number in the race’s history.Despite‌ running under qualifying standards, over 8,900 athletes were not accepted into the field, ⁣with a cut-off time of⁤ four minutes and 34 seconds established in September. The B.A.A.’s recent focus on improving the runner experience, demonstrated by the redesigned jacket and competitive entry process, underscores the ​institution’s commitment to ‌maintaining the prestige and appeal of this iconic event.

The jacket reveal sparked immediate reaction online, with runners voicing their opinions on social media. This follows a significant redesign of the 2025 finisher medal, featuring a glossy, gold, embossed ⁤unicorn⁣ on a white crest cutout – a marked enhancement from the 2024 medal, which was widely described‍ as “tacky” and “cheap.”

Homelessness Policy in the 2026 Governor’s Race: Miyagishima‘s Plan ‌Stands Apart

as ​the 2026 New Mexico ​gubernatorial race ⁢takes shape, homelessness is emerging as a key issue, notably for rural communities like Alamogordo and Otero County. While several candidates ⁣have outlined approaches to address the state’s housing crisis, the plan presented by⁢ Democratic candidate Ken Miyagishima is receiving⁣ attention for its specific‍ focus on the needs of underserved areas.

The contrast is stark with​ the current⁣ silence from Republican contenders Gregg Hull and Steve Lanier. Their platforms prioritize‍ tax relief, crime reduction, and economic growth, with homelessness‌ addressed only indirectly,​ if at all. This lack of detailed proposals leaves ⁢rural counties uncertain ​about how Republican leadership would respond to the​ growing crisis.

Otero⁣ County faces particularly ⁤acute challenges. The 2025 Point-in-Time Count revealed a critical lack of resources: zero permanent supportive housing units, no transitional housing options, and only one emergency shelter. Even small increases in the homeless population place critically important strain ⁣on local​ schools,⁣ law enforcement,⁤ and healthcare providers.

Miyagishima’s plan proposes a⁢ multi-faceted approach designed for ⁢immediate impact. it includes rapid re-housing programs to ​assist families experiencing sudden job loss, and the establishment of “off-grid​ zones” to ​formalize existing encampments in forested or⁣ desert areas, aiming to improve public health and ‌safety. Moreover,the plan advocates⁤ for​ mobile crisis teams to alleviate the burden on local police,who frequently respond to mental health emergencies.

Other ‌candidates offer different strategies. Governor Michelle​ Lujan Grisham’s⁤ plan focuses on new construction, but‌ rural areas often experience delays in project implementation⁣ compared to larger cities like ⁤Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Representative Deb Haaland’s proposal emphasizes leveraging⁣ federal ​resources, particularly⁣ for tribal and rural lands, though full implementation is expected to take years. ​Attorney General Hector balderas’s (Bregman’s) plan centers ‌on ⁢justice ⁢reform, potentially reducing strain ⁤on courts and jails, but acknowledges that long-term stabilization requires increased housing availability.

The absence of detailed plans from the Republican candidates raises concerns about prioritization of rural needs. as visibility of homelessness increases in Alamogordo and Otero County, ⁤and citizen unease grows, Miyagishima’s plan offers a concrete roadmap for immediate relief.

The debate is increasingly framed around these ‍distinct approaches:‍ Miyagishima’s proposed budget reallocation and tailored solutions,​ Lujan ⁣Grisham’s construction-driven model, Haaland’s focus on federal partnerships, or Balderas’s ​justice reform lens. For communities like Alamogordo and Otero County, where ⁤infrastructure is limited and the need is pressing, Miyagishima’s ⁤plan currently stands out for its direct ⁤relevance and potential for swift action.

Sources:

*⁣ Ken Miyagishima Campaign Draft – Homelessness Policy Proposal
* New Mexico Coalition to End Homelessness – Funding Models and Policy ​Recommendations
* Office​ of​ Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham – 2025 Housing Initiative Proclamation
* Source New Mexico – Profiles of Declared 2026 Governor Candidates
* Las‌ Cruces Project L.I.G.H.T. – Mobile Crisis Response Program
* 2025 Otero County⁢ Point‑in‑Time Count
* 2nd Life Media Alamogordo Town News IPRA requests and analysis