Hindell vows to protect radio drama

By Matthew Hemley for The Stage:

BBC head of radio drama Alison Hindell has moved to reassure actors, writers and producers that there will be “no more significant cuts for some time to come”, following Radio 4’s decision to axe the Friday Play from next year.

Hindell, who is responsible for all in-house drama production in her role and who was involved in the discussion to cut Radio 4’s Friday Play strand, said the Corporation is still the “biggest broadcaster of radio drama in the world by miles”, and vowed to guard the genre going forward.

Update: The Stage also reports that Radio 4 commissioning editor for drama Jeremy Howe is to take a nine-month break from the role and join the BBC’s editorial policy team. Caroline Raphael, commissioning editor for comedy and entertainment, will cover during his absence.