The history of the BBC trade test transmission
First published in 2008. Last updated: 24th May 2020. This page contains examples of the various tuning signals and test cards used on BBC Television since the 1930s. The feature remains a work-in-progress and we’d …
RTÉ TV daily start-ups
Long after elaborate daily start-up routines were dispensed with on British TV, the tradition continued on Irish TV – until c. 1997 in fact. Though it must be said, RTÉ’s daily ritual was a fairly …
Early in-vision teletext in Ireland
Until the late-1980s, the test card filled most of the daytime hours on RTÉ One and RTÉ Two. And actually, even by the 1980s, the RTÉ One analogue transmitter network only came back online at …
A lesson in how not to execute a BBC One/BBC News Channel handover
Since the launch of BBC News 24 in November 1997, BBC One has used a simulcast of the 24-hour news channel to fill the overnight hours. Prior to that, BBC One’s transmitter network was closed …
UTV continuity will return “as soon as possible”
At the end of yesterday’s 6pm edition of UTV Live, it was announced that UTV on-air branding and associated local continuity announcements were being suspended, due to operationcal changes resulting from the ongoing coronavirus crisis. …
BBC One Scotland playout error during Politics Scotland
BBC One Scotland appeared to be having a bad day at lunchtime. Near the end of Politics Scotland, a trail for the new series of Have I Got News for You was played out in …
Time to ditch Oneness?
Updated: Tuesday 7th April 2020. With the BBC currently going to great lengths to relay, reinforce and implement the government’s directive around social distancing, it seems a little odd that BBC One’s current on-screen presentation …
BBC Two Wales off air due to Covid-19?
BBC Two Wales has been showing the network version of BBC Two all day. It’s unclear if this is Covid-19-related.
Coronavirus impacts on TV networks
The BBC and ITV have announced a number of changes as a result of the coronavirus crisis. BBC changes The BBC has announced that filming on contuing dramas has been suspended, following the latest government …
BBC News announces programme changes
On Tuesday evening, BBC’s director of news, Fran Unsworth announced plans to cut back BBC News services due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis on resourcing. Changes to the presenter line-up are also expected.