BBC's 'Saturday Review' saved from the axe

The BBC has backtracked on plans to axe "Saturday Review", its cultural discussion programme presented by Tom Sutcliffe on Radio 4.

Earlier this year, it was announced that "Saturday Review' would come to an end in the autumn as part of cost-cutting measures at the corporation, and a Saturday highlights edition of arts and culture programme "Front Row" would be broadcast instead. At the time, Gwyneth Williams, controller of Radio 4 and 4 Extra, said the broadcaster had to make "difficult decisions on how we can best safeguard the overall range and breadth of content on Radio 4 whilst delivering savings".

However, "after a great deal of consideration", Williams has now confirmed that Saturday Review will continue to be broadcast on Radio 4.

She said: “The initial decision to close Saturday Review was a difficult one to make, but after a great deal of consideration I will be keeping the show on air at this time. Bearing in mind the challenging financial climate I am glad that, for now, I’m able to have both Front Row and Saturday Review as part of Radio 4’s ambitious and wide-ranging arts content.”

Saturday Review is broadcast on Saturday nights at 7.15pm, while Radio 4’s flagship arts & culture programme Front Row is broadcast on weeknights at 7.15pm.