Alasdair Milne facts for kids

Alasdair David Gordon Milne (born October 8, 1930 – died January 8, 2013) was a very important person in British television. He worked for a long time at the BBC, which is a big broadcasting company. Eventually, he became the Director-General, which is like being the main boss.

People said he was one of the most creative and talented people in television when it was still quite new. Early in his career, Alasdair Milne helped start a news show called Tonight in 1957. Later, he became the head of BBC Scotland and then the director of all BBC Television programmes.

He was the Director-General of the BBC from 1982 to 1987. During this time, the BBC faced some tough challenges. He eventually had to leave his job because of disagreements with the BBC Governors. These disagreements often involved the government at the time, led by Margaret Thatcher, who had concerns about some of the BBC's news reports.

Early Life and Education

Alasdair Milne was born in British India. His father was a surgeon from Scotland. His mother was the daughter of a school headmaster.

For his first six years, Alasdair lived with his grandparents in Scotland. Then, his family moved to Kent in England. He went to a famous school called Winchester College. After that, he studied at New College, Oxford university.

Starting His BBC Career

Before joining the BBC, Alasdair Milne served in the army for a short time. He had to leave due to a lung infection. In 1954, he saw an advertisement from the BBC and decided to join as a trainee.

He was mentored by Grace Wyndham Goldie, who helped many famous BBC broadcasters. Alasdair was part of a group of talented producers and presenters. This group included well-known names like Robin Day and David Frost.

Alasdair Milne was the first television producer to become the Director-General of the BBC. He was very good at making news and current affairs programmes. He helped create and later edited the popular show Tonight.

He also worked on other important shows. These included That Was the Week That Was, a funny and sometimes controversial show. He also worked on the historical series The Great War. He helped bring all of Shakespeare's plays to television. He also supported the popular comedy Yes Minister.

Alasdair Milne also helped set up BBC Scotland in 1968. He wanted BBC Scotland to make programmes that showed Scottish culture and values. He believed it was important to support the Gaelic language.

Leading the BBC: Director-General

As Director-General, Alasdair Milne oversaw many big events. One of the most famous was Live Aid. This was a huge music concert to help people in Africa who were suffering from famine. The BBC played a big role in broadcasting this event worldwide.

The BBC also launched its new morning news show, Breakfast Time, in 1983. Alasdair Milne was very impressed with the show. He said it was a "terrific start."

Challenges and Controversies

Alasdair Milne's time as Director-General was not always easy. He had several disagreements with the British government. These often happened because of how the BBC reported on certain events.

Some of the controversial programmes included reports on the miners' strike and the U.S. bombing of Libya. The government sometimes felt the BBC's reporting was not fair or supportive enough.

Milne also had to defend how the BBC was funded. The BBC gets money from a "licence fee." This is a payment that most households with a TV have to make. A special committee, called the Peacock Committee, looked into the BBC's future.

Milne argued that the licence fee was the best way to pay for high-quality broadcasting. He said it was "the best bargain in Britain." The licence fee system continued, thanks to his strong defence.

Why Did Alasdair Milne Resign?

In 1986, a new chairman, Marmaduke Hussey, was appointed to lead the BBC Governors. Some people thought he was chosen by the government to make changes at the BBC. They believed the government felt the BBC was biased.

In an unusual move, the BBC Governors decided that a change was needed. They asked Alasdair Milne to resign from his position. He left his job in January 1987.

Milne later said that the Governors were "a bunch of amateurs." He described the moment he was asked to leave as very unpleasant. His deputy, Michael Checkland, took over temporarily.

His Thoughts After Leaving the BBC

After leaving the BBC, Alasdair Milne sometimes shared his opinions about the company. He was critical of some later changes at the BBC. He felt that some programmes were becoming less serious or "dumbed down."

He also said that he was most proud of shows like Tonight and That Was the Week That Was. He had hoped to find new work after leaving the BBC. But he decided to spend his time fishing and shooting in Scotland instead.

Personal Life and Legacy

Alasdair Milne married Ann Ruth Sheila Eva Kirsten Graucob in 1954. She passed away in 1992. They had two sons, Ruairidh and Seumas, and a daughter, Kirsty.

Alasdair Milne died on January 8, 2013, at the age of 82. He had suffered from several strokes. Many people remembered his time as Director-General. They noted his efforts to protect the BBC's independence.

During his leadership, the BBC launched important shows like Newsnight and EastEnders. He is remembered for defending the BBC against government pressure. He helped ensure the BBC could report news fairly and independently.

See also

• Board of Governors of the BBC
• Politics of the United Kingdom
• Zircon affair