Newsjack axed by the BBC
- Newsjack, the Radio 4 Extra sketch show that "anyone could write for", has been axed after 24 series
- The BBC will launch a new open door show on the station in 2022
- The producers thanked "the hundreds of fantastic writers who cut their teeth writing for the show"
The BBC has announced that Newsjack, the BBC Radio 4 Extra sketch show format with an open door submission policy, has ended after 24 series.
However, the station also revealed at the same time that a new open door format will be introduced in 2022 to continue to offer writers a chance to submit material to the BBC.
The news was revealed via the programme's Twitter account, which posted:
"And now it's time for some breaking news! After 24 series spanning 12 years Newsjack has left the building. A NEW open door show for new writing and submissions launches on 4 Extra in 2022 - stay tuned."
The producers added: "We thank all of our wonderful hosts, brilliant casts, producers and most importantly the hundreds of fantastic writers who cut their teeth writing for the show. You made Newsjack what it was, and we look forward to an exciting new chapter."
Newsjack launched in 2009 as a platform to find new writers, and ran for 143 episodes.
Miles Jupp hosted the first four series, Justin Edwards helmed Series 5 to 9, and Romesh Ranganathan was chosen to present Series 10 and 11. Nish Kumar took over for Series 12 to 15, Angela Barnes fronted the show from Series 16 to 19, with Kiri Pritchard-McLean hosting the final five runs, Series 20 to 24.
British Comedy Guide's database reveals that 1,476 writers were credited with having material broadcast via Newsjack across the show's history.