A round-up of the week’s stories and observations.
- MON 29TH MAY (12.55PM)
Business as usual on This Morning - MON 29TH MAY (1.20PM)
Awkward package out-words and more BBC branding mishaps - MON 29TH MAY (3.50PM)
BBC headline blunder regarding This Morning - MON 29TH MAY (5.45PM)
The end is nigh for BBC Radio 4 LW transmissions - MON 29TH MAY (9PM)
Hot Bird migrations coming up - MON 29TH MAY (11.55PM)
Jeremy Paxman bows out after 29 years of University Challenge - TUE 30TH MAY (10AM)
Rare clip of 1970s BBC One Northern Ireland closedown - WED 31ST MAY (4PM)
TV and Film distribution company Network goes into liquidation - FRI 2ND JUN (11.45AM)
Donna Traynor’s BBC employment tribunal case settled - FRI 2ND JUN (2.30PM)
BBC One balloon on public display again - SAT 3RD JUN (11.30PM)
Wrong opening titles on late BBC One news
Monday 29th May
12.55pm Business as usual on This Morning
Following a turbulent few days in the press, with revelations about presenter Phillip Schofield, This Morning returned to our screens today, with Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary at the helm.
And it was more or less business as usual, with a brief acknowledgement of the weekend media coverage.
Dermot O’Leary told viewers: “…from both of us and the whole team here – the crew, the guys downstairs – we love making this show for all of you.”
Alison Hammond added: “Yeah, we really do, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. We’re going to continue to do that.”
Guest Gyles Brandreth also commented: “We are very happy to be here. Can I say that as well?
“Actually, this is a happy place to work. I enjoy coming in here. And have done since I began coming in here.”
1.20pm Awkward package out-words and more BBC branding mishaps
Reporter David Harper produced a package for BBC News today in which he spoke with Thomas Dolby to hear about his switch from music to technology and teaching.
The package included some unexpected out-words.
Here we see presenter Ben Thompson taking it all in his stride.
The studio-based elements of David’s report included some old BBC News branding:
3.50pm BBC headline blunder regarding This Morning
A typo in a headline shown on the BBC News Channel at 3pm today implied there are scandals in the world of UK TV every day.
The headline should of course have read “UK Daytime TV scandal”.
5.45pm The end is nigh for BBC Radio 4 LW transmissions
The BBC says that all programming specific to BBC Radio 4 long wave will end in March 2024.
Affected programmes:
- Test Match Special: will continue to be available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. This summer’s coverage will be the last to be carried on the LW frequency.
- The Daily Service and Yesterday in Parliament: will be available on BBC Radio 4 Extra and BBC Sounds from March 2024. Yesterday in Parliament will continue to be broadcast within the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 FM/DAB.
- The Shipping Forecast: from March 2024, the number of daily bulletins will be cut from 4 to 2 on weekdays and 3 at weekends – and will be available on BBC Radio 4 FM/DAB.
Although the BBC has not specified a closure date for the LW service, it is expected to be shut down shortly after the LW-specific programme schedule ceases in March 2024.
The BBC today launched an information campaign, to raise awareness of the LW plan.
EXTERNAL LINK: BBC Radio 4 begins information campaign to transition listeners from Long Wave.
9pm Hot Bird migrations coming up
Hot Bird 13°E: the first services will migrate to the new Hot Bird 13G satellite on 31st May.
This is the beginning of a phased transfer, eventually involving the new Hot Bird 13F, running until the end of July, and affecting BBC World Service broadcasts at 13°E.
Courtesy @a516digital.
11.55pm Jeremy Paxman bows out after 29 years of University Challenge
A low-key exit by Jeremy Paxman this evening, after 29 years presenting University Challenge.
The final edition of the latest series was broadcast at 8.30pm on BBC Two.
Tuesday 30th May
10am Rare clip of 1970s BBC One Northern Ireland closedown
The second programme in the series Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland – aired on BBC Two last night – included rare surviving excerpts from a 1970s BBC One Northern Ireland closedown.
Wednesday 31st May
4pm TV and film distribution company Network goes into liquidation
Network Distributing, the award-winning TV and film distribution company, has goes into liquidation.
Since the late-1990s, the group has distributed copies of many classic programmes and films on video and later DVD.
Network has also been involved in painstaking restoration work, making many once popular shows available in higher quality.
The news of the company’s closure was confirmed by a number of individuals/groups on social media this afternoon.
So sorry to hear of the sudden demise of @networktweets which has provided an incredible service over many years for fans of vintage British TV and film. It is truly the end of an era and of the steady liberation of eclectic niche material from archives.
Richard Marson, Twitter
Friday 2nd June
11.45am Donna Traynor’s BBC employment tribunal case settled
The tribunal case brought against BBC Northern Ireland and its director, Adam Smyth, by former BBC presenter, Donna Traynor, has been settled.
Ms Traynor claimed she was discriminated against on the basis of age, sex and disability.
An agreed joint statement read: “The parties are pleased that this matter has been brought to a conclusion and intend to put it behind them.
“The dispute between Donna Traynor and the BBC and Adam Smyth has ended, without any admission of liability on the part of either respondent.
“Donna Traynor acknowledges the BBC and Adam Smyth continue to refute strongly all the allegations made against them, including the claims made on the opening day of the tribunal.”
UPDATE: statement issued by Donna Traynor on 3rd June, concerning the settlement amount: “There has been speculation about the amount to be paid in the settlement of my employment tribunal case against the BBC and Adam Smyth. This figure has been exaggerated.
“While I am very happy with what was agreed, I want to make it clear that I brought this case for more important reasons than simply compensation. I believe I have achieved this and now intend to put the matter behind me.”
EXTERNAL LINK: Donna Traynor: BBC harassed and bullied TV presenter, tribunal hears.
EXTERNAL LINK: Donna Traynor’s BBC employment tribunal case settled.
2.30pm BBC One balloon on public display again
For the first time in twenty years, the BBC One balloon has been inflated in public view, at the Midlands Air Festival.
The balloon does not yet have the necessary clearance to get airborne. But the team behind its restoration is confident that it will take to the air again soon.
Saturday 3rd June
11.30pm Wrong opening titles on late BBC One news
The short version of the opening titles was played out in error on the BBC News at Ten on BBC One, leaving the tailing off portion of the theme tune lingering for much longer than usual and over shots of the newsroom/studio.
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Acknowledgements
PICTURED: Dermot O'Leary and Alison Hammond presenting This Morning. COPYRIGHT: ITV plc.