BBC presenter Kirsty Wark will host her final episode of BBC Two’s Newsnight this evening and will start presenting editions of Radio 4’s Front Row from Scotland this summer.
Kirsty will present one edition of Front Row weekly from Glasgow, beginning with a live episode at the Edinburgh Festival on August 13.
With a deep-rooted appreciation for the arts, Kirsty previously hosted Newsnight’s arts strand, Newsnight Review, for over a decade, in addition to her long tenure on Newsnight, where she was the longest-serving presenter. During her time there, Kirsty conducted interviews with many prominent cultural figures, including playwright Harold Pinter's final interview.
Music journalist Kate Molleson will also join Front Row as a presenter from Scotland, hosting some episodes weekly starting in September. Kate is a familiar voice on BBC Radio 3’s Composer of the Week, the New Music Show, and live concerts. Front Row will continue to offer a lively and eclectic mix of the biggest stories from the worlds of art, literature, film, media, and music, along with details of the latest shows, events, and exhibitions across the UK and around the world.
Kirsty Wark says: “I have been so lucky to have been given a true labor of love, and I’m looking forward to many conversations and performances across the artistic spectrum and beyond. I have always found that people interested in politics are just as interested in culture and vice versa, so I see this new role as an extension of everything that I hold dear.”
Mohit Bakaya, BBC Director of Speech, says: “We’re delighted that Front Row will come from Glasgow once a week as part of our commitment to creating production opportunities outside of London and investing in audio across the UK. Following the success of Saturday Live moving to Wales and Pick of the Week to Northern Ireland, our new network radio production hubs allow us to better reflect, represent, and serve all audiences. I’m looking forward to hearing Kirsty kick things off live on Front Row from the Edinburgh Festival this August.
Last year, the BBC committed to moving 50 episodes of Front Row out of London as part of its commitment to increasing the volume of content made in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The BBC’s Across the UK plan focuses on relocating shows, talent, teams, and content away from London to better reflect, represent, and serve all audiences. Front Row editions from London and Salford will continue on other days of the week.
The BBC now has a vibrant network of radio production hubs in all four nations, bringing more investment into different parts of the UK, enhancing portrayal, and supporting the nations’ audio sectors.
Listen to BBC Radio 4's Front Row on BBC Sounds.
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