Countryfile
| Countryfile | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | News magazine |
| Format | Outside broadcast |
| Presented by | |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | William Lyons |
| Running time | 1 hour approx. |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC One, BBC iPlayer |
| Picture format | DVB-T2 BBC One, BBC iPlayer |
| Original run | 24 July 1988 – present |
| External links | |
| BBC One - Countryfile | |
Countryfile is a TV programme which reports on rural and environmental issues in the United Kingdom. It's regularly the most watched factual programme on any channel. The show was first broadcast on 24 July 1988, replacing the long-running Farming which concentrated on agricultural matters. While farming remained a core ingredient, Countryfile held a much broader brief - to investigate rural issues and celebrate the beauty and diversity of the British countryside. Broadcaster John Craven started fronting the Sunday morning programme in 1989. It went from 30 minutes to an hour 14 years later. The most dramatic development in Countryfile's history came in April 2009 when it moved to Sunday evenings with Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury joining John Craven at the helm. The new look and slot proved an instant success with the first prime time show watched by a peak audience of 6.3m. Countryfile is now on 52 weeks of the year and includes a five-day weather forecast live from the BBC's weather studio in London. The rest of the programme's recorded but it went live for several weeks in 2001 to bring viewers the very latest on the Foot and Mouth crisis.
The Countryfile Photographic Competition remains a highlight of the programme's year. Viewers are invited to submit entries and the best make up a calendar sold in aid of BBC Children In Need. The 2013 calendar raised more than £1.3m for the charity, bringing the total donation to £6.3m.
Countryfile was originally produced by BBC Birmingham, moving to its new home of BBC Bristol in 2012. Spin-off programme include BBC1's Countryfile: The Summer Diaries, Country Tracks and Secret Britain.
Overview
Each week Matt Baker and Julia Bradbury visit a different part of the British countryside to uncover the stories, characters and traditions which make it distinctive. Typical subject matter includes wildlife, conservation, farming and food production, the arts, countryside crafts, social history and leisure activities.
Journalism remains an integral part of the programme's agenda. Tom Heap presents a weekly investigation into the big issues affecting the British countryside. Recent examples include the impact of animal diseases, the move towards renewable energy, environmental disasters, threats to rural services as well as changes to farming policy and practices.
Farmer Adam Henson joined the programme in 2001 following a search to find a new presenter amongst programme viewers. In 2009 he started fronting the weekly "Adam's Farm" strand which gives viewers an insight into the challenges of running a mixed farm in the Cotswolds. His father, Joe Henson, was one of the original founders of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust.
In 2013 the programme marked its 25th anniversary with a special edition guest-edited by HRH The Prince of Wales. Countryfile: A Royal Appointment saw the team joining the Prince on his Gloucestershire farm where he shared his passion for the British countryside, rare breed animals, organic farming and hedge-laying. Countryfile also accompanied him on a trip to County Durham to find out what’s being done to help struggling hill farmers before heading to a London comprehensive where pupils are growing and cooking their own food with remarkable results. The silver jubilee celebrations continued well into July when 250 viewers were invited to a traditional summer fayre held on Adam Henson's farm. The anniversary was marked by a new title sequence and re-versioned music composed by David Lowe.
October 2013 also saw the programme uniting with another BBC institution. Ireland went on to win Countryfile's One Man and His Dog broadcast on 27 October.
The BBC Countryfile magazine was launched in 2007 and is now published by Immediate Media Co. The current editor is Fergus Collins.
Main presenters
- Matt Baker
- Julia Bradbury
- John Craven
- Ellie Harrison
- Tom Heap
- Adam Henson
Reporters, Relief presenters and co-presenters
- Jules Hudson
- Katie Knapman
- Helen Skelton
- James Wong
Original Presenters
- Chris Baines
- Anne Brown
- Ian Breach
- Caroline Hall
- Roger Tabor
