- John Birt was born on December 10, 1944 in Liverpool, England, UK. He is a producer and editor, known for Nice Time (1968), The London Weekend Show (1973) and Weekend World (1972). He has been married to Eithne Wallis since December 16, 2006. He was previously married to Jane Lake.
- SpousesEithne Wallis(December 16, 2006 - present)Jane Lake(1965 - April 2005) (divorced, 2 children)
- He was awarded Knight Bachelor of the Order of the British Empire before being awarded a Life Peer (Lord or Baron) in the 2000 Queen's Millennium Honors List for his services to broadcasting.
- He was Director-General of the BBC (British Broadcasting Company) from 1991 to 1999; Deputy Director-General from 1987 to 1990; and Programme Controller of LWT (London Weekend Television) from 1981 to 1986.
- Father of Eliza Birt and Yahya (Jonathan) Birt.
- Bayswater, London, England
- London W2, England
- The BBC I leave has never been creatively stronger, it has never been better managed, we are a global force, we understand the future. I am very proud of that. When people complain about management of the BBC, I am unashamed. We are better managed, we are much more efficient, we are much more effective, we have a better understanding of the environment in which we operate, and no broadcasting operation in the world is better positioned for the digital age than the BBC - and that is because we are better managed. I entered the BBC a passionate believer in it and I leave the BBC a passionate believer in it.
- Michael Grade and I, like Pink Floyd, have made it up after 20 years.
- At some point - it is not clear when - you will be able to access the Aladdin's Cave of the BBC's archive, with all its jewels, some well known but many half forgotten and rarely seen.
- We shall aim to excite, to enrich, to move, to bring joy, to make people laugh; to expose them to new ideas, to great art, to the spiritual and to the uplifting; to work with the most adventurous, engaging and inspiring talents; to use new technologies to involve our licence payers as never before; to help ensure that in the age of globalisation and plenty our national culture remains distinct and vibrant; that we continue to stretch minds and horizons, that our national debate remains lively and intelligent.
- If there is a better web site than the BBC's on the Internet, I have yet to find it. It is informative, imaginative and beautifully designed - and already Europe's largest.
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