Mark Forrest evening show contract renewed

Wire Free Productions will continue to produce the networked BBC local radio evening programme for at least another 12 months.

The corporation has renewed the contract to broadcast the Mark Forrest across 39 BBC local radio stations in England and the Channel Islands on weekdays between 7-10 pm.

David Holdsworth, Controller of BBC English Regions said, “It’s a mark of our satisfaction with the ‘Mark Forrest’ programme that Wire Free Productions’ contract to deliver the show has been renewed. We’re delighted with the creativity and direction shown by its producers; their understanding of the needs of local stations and their audiences and to have such a terrific presenter in Mark Forrest in this prestigious slot.”

Wire Free Productions was launched specifically to bid for the all-local radio evening programme when it came up for tender in the summer of 2012. The production company is chaired by the broadcaster and former BBC executive Matthew Bannister. Former BBC Asian Network executive, Husain Husaini, is Chief Executive.

Matthew Bannister said, “I’m delighted the BBC has underlined its commitment to the show and to us as the production team. It has been a challenging brief but we believe we’ve developed a first class show which is getting a warm reaction from listeners across England and the Channel Islands. Being re-commissioned is a tribute to our hard working team in Leeds – and we are delighted that we can continue the work we’ve started.”

Gerald Main, Editor, BBC Local Radio, commented “Mark is a class act and with Wire Free’s production, we’re confident we have the right team in place for the year ahead.”