Dear xxxx,

I enclose two DVDs of some recent BBC programming that I thought you would enjoy.

As you may know, the BBC’s Delivering Quality First strategy has resulted in us focusing on five clear content priorities to ensure the BBC meets its public purposes – two of these are to provide ambitious drama and outstanding children’s content.

While there is wider concern about the reducing quantity of UK-made children’s TV programming, the BBC’s television channels and websites continue to champion home-grown output – around three quarters of our output is British-made. We are committed to producing and commissioning children’s content that encourages children to develop a love of learning, supports their understanding of the world by tackling issues and, of course, makes them laugh. This must be resonating with our audiences - the BBC’s children’s channels have become the most popular channels in the UK for under-12s. On the enclosed DVD I’ve chosen a range of programming which I hope you will enjoy with your family:

CBBC: In an extraordinary, emotional episode of the critically acclaimed documentary series, My Life, Me, My Dad and His Kidney we follow a nine-year old football fan with a one-in-a-million kidney condition whose dad steps forward to donate his own kidney. In multi-award winning comedy sketch show Horrible Histories – packed with fascinating facts, silly songs and gruesome gags – we see Dick Whittington pitching a movie about his life and Stone Age technology geeks queuing for hours at the unveiling of the Bronze Age, and the ever-popular is back in a topical new sporting extravaganza Championsheeps.

CBeebies: For our youngest viewers, this year has seen the launch of an animation which helps children with dyspraxia - Tree Fu Tom - a multi-platform, fantasy, action adventure series following the quests of a boy with magical powers as he takes viewers to an enchanted world; Justin’s House has had children all over the UK singing and dancing around their living rooms as Justin Fletcher invites children to join him for music and madcap mayhem; and we’ve recently launched Numtums - a multi-platform series giving young children a foundation in numeracy wrapped up in a fun, energetic and irreverent format.

As a former Controller of BBC Two I am particularly pleased to see drama re-emerge on the channel and develop a growing reputation for quality and distinctiveness. In this Olympic year, BBC Two commissioned four films which bring a new life to Shakespeare’s history plays. This Shakespeare Unlocked Season is part of the BBC’s contribution to the Cultural Olympiad and 2012 Festival. I enclose a DVD of The Hollow Crown - Richard II and I hope you enjoy watching the inspirational performances.

This is probably the last time I’ll write to you as Director-General as I leave the BBC in September. It has been a privilege to lead the BBC over the past eight years and I wish my successor, George Entwistle, every success in his new role.

Best regards,

Mark Thompson BBC Director-General