David Attenborough promoted to director of programmes

In 1969, David Attenborough was promoted to the position of Director of Programmes at the BBC, a significant step in his career that placed him in charge of the output for both BBC channels. This role came with a range of responsibilities that extended beyond the creative aspects of television production. Attenborough was tasked with agreeing on budgets, attending board meetings, and making difficult personnel decisions, including the termination of staff. These duties marked a departure from his previous focus on filming and presenting programs, which had been his passion. In 1972, as discussions arose about his potential candidacy for the Director-General of the BBC, Attenborough expressed to his brother Richard that he lacked the desire for such a high-profile administrative role. Ultimately, in early 1973, he chose to leave his position as Director of Programmes to return to full-time programme-making. This decision allowed him the freedom to pursue his vision for a natural history epic, which would later become a hallmark of his illustrious career in broadcasting.