Radio 4's 'Today' most admired show

BBC Radio 4's Today programme has been named the most admired show in British broadcasting by a group of industry experts.

The morning news programme topped a list of the 25 most respected shows of the past 25 years compiled by the Voice of the Listener and Viewer (VLV) for its 25th anniversary.

Running since 1957, the Today programme now regularly attracts over six million listeners. Editor Ceri Thomas and presenter John Humphries picked up the award at a ceremony on Wednesday at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts in London.

Writing on the Radio 4 blog, the station's controller Mark Damazer said: "We will celebrate soberly and parsimoniously - but we are much cheered. And more than 25 years after the arrival of breakfast television, Today goes from strength to strength.

"There remains a huge appetite for the programme – the occasional wart and all. Because it delivers impartial, vigorous, broad and - yes - witty journalism that is unmatched at that time of the day. By a crack team."

BBC Proms came second on the list, followed by dramas Jewel In The Crown and Inspector Morse in joint third.

VLV chairman Richard Lindley told The Daily Telegraph: "These are tough times for broadcasting, with nobody yet sure how we are going to pay for high-quality programmes in the future.

"VLV has always campaigned to keep British broadcasting the best in the world. We want this celebration of our 25th anniversary to encourage everyone to make sure we don't let this great British success story end."