MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has announced that Matt Smith, who played the 11th incarnation of ?Doctor Who? will be quitting the show at the end this year. Until his exit, Smith will have played the lead for four years on the iconic BBC One show.

"The fans of Doctor Who around the world are unlike any other; they dress up, shout louder, know more about the history of the show and speculate more about the future of the show in a way that I?ve never seen before, your dedication is truly remarkable. Thank you so very much for supporting my incarnation of the Time Lord, number Eleven, who I might add is not done yet, I?m back for the 50th anniversary and the Christmas special!" said Smith.

The BBC says that during his time in the title role, Matt Smith has reached over 30 million unique UK viewers and was also the first actor to be nominated for a Bafta in the role of Dr. Who.

MUMBAI: ?Chime For Change?, which is Gucci?s new global campaign for girls? and women?s empowerment, has released the list of broadcasters that will be airing ?The Sound Of Change Live? concert event. The concert which takes place today and will reach up to one billion people in over 150 countries worldwide.

In the US, NBC will air the show the day after the live event in London. The concert event, which will be broadcast across six continents, brings together some of the world?s most talented artists and internationally renowned activists to raise awareness of issues affecting girls and women, and raise funds for non-profit organisations pursuing change. In addition to Star and NBC, The BBC, Rotana and WoWow are among the broadcasters set to air ?The Sound Of Change Live? concert event to households around the world.

Chime For Change co-founder, artistic director and singer Beyonc? Knowles-Carter will perform a 45-minute special set and will lead the performers including Florence + the Machine, HAIM, Iggy Azalea, Jennifer Lopez, John Legend, Laura Pausini, Rita Ora and Timbaland.

Knowles-Carter said, "I am really happy that so many amazing artists and presenters have come together to support ?Chime For Change? on 1 June. Our goal is to have a great time together while we unite and strengthen the voices of girls and women around the world."

Madonna will join presenter line-up which includes actors, musicians, activists, film directors and public figures including Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Freida Pinto, Gloria Steinem, Gordon and Sarah Brown, James Franco, Jessica Chastain and Zoe Saldana.

Singer Madonna, who is also the founder of the Ray of Light Foundation said, "60 per cent of the children in the world not in school are girls! 2/3 of the world?s illiterate are Women! I do not accept this. We need to change this and we will change this!"

The concert will be produced by Kevin Wall and Aaron Grosky of Control Room in association with Harvey Goldsmith - the forces behind Live Earth and Live Aid. In addition to performances and collaborations from global artists, the live concert, which takes place tomorrow 1 June will also serve as a platform to broadcast inspirational and provocative short films and stories spotlighting girls? and women?s issues globally.

Kevin Wall of Control Room said, "We are thrilled to be producing and distributing The Sound Of Change Live concert event at London?s Twickenham Stadium on the 1st of June and utilising our expertise in producing and distributing global multi-artist charity events to help Gucci raise funds and awareness for girls? and women?s issues around the world."

Underwritten by Gucci, all tickets sales (less VAT and service fees) will go towards raising funds for projects, which will be disseminated through Catapult - the first crowd-funding platform dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women. In a world first, through Catapult, fans will be able to choose exactly which projects their money goes towards and receive updates on their progress. A sell-out concert means that over 120 projects supporting women around the world will be 100 per cent funded.

MUMBAI: UK pubcaster The BBC has secured the rights to provide exclusive live ball-by-ball radio commentary of the 2013/14 Ashes in Australia (21 November 2013 -7 January 2014), providing the final element to a year of cricket coverage on Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, the BBC Sport website and the BBC Sport app.

There will also be programmes and presenters on Radio 5 live for the summer, including ?Andrew Flintoff?s Ashes Roadshows?.

The BBC?s cricket portfolio also includes live commentary of the New Zealand Test Matches and ODI?s, the ICC Champions Trophy and the pinnacle event of the summer - The Ashes. In addition, there is the recently announced ongoing ball-by-ball commentary of the entire county cricket season via BBC online and BBC Local Radio, plus live coverage of county matches on 5 live sports extra.

BBC Sport director Barbara Slater said, "We?re very pleased to have added the Ashes in Australia to our existing cricket rights portfolio, and there?s no one better to deliver it to audiences than the esteemed Test Match Special team. We?re looking forward to a fantastic summer and winter of cricket which we will be covering through TMS, Radio 5 live and our digital platforms."

MUMBAI: BBC Films is bringing the stars of BBC kids? show ?Horrible Histories? to the big screen in ?Bill?, a new comedy film about Shakespeare - or how Bill became William.

Shooting later this year in the UK, ?Bill? stars the six lead ?Horrible Histories? cast - Mathew Baynton, Simon Farnaby, Martha Howe-Douglas, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard and Ben Willbond. All will play multiple roles in BILL, in the style of the Python films.

?Bill? tells the story of how hopeless lute player Bill Shakespeare leaves his family and home to follow his dream. It?s a tale of murderous kings, spies, lost loves, and a plot to blow up Queen Elizabeth. Can one man prove the quill is mightier than the sword?

Rickard and Willbond said, "?Bill? is a comedy adventure for all the family. We?re playing with history, just as Shakespeare did, for the entertainment of the audience. And we like to think he?d be OK with it, apart from the bit where he?s dressed as a tomato."

BBC Films head Christine Langan said, "We?re thrilled that BBC Films is making the first film starring this team of incredibly talented and popular British comedy writers and performers. ?Horrible Histories? has been a terrific success and is hugely popular with both kids and their parents. BILL will be a film for all the family to enjoy with original British talent telling a very funny story about Shakespeare."