In case you were ever curious, this is what BBC World simulcasts on PBS in America look like. They now run the countdown sequence but they put in a sponsor break in between the countdown and open.
The embedded video shows up when I preview this post, but it doesn't when I post it, so here's a link instead:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Qmu235YF9w
I have to say that is weird. I didn't know public service broadcasters had to actively advertise their sponsors to unsubtly. It makes what I'm used to "countdown, headlines, titles, news" seem so weird. Also BBC World straight after kids programmes!?
I'm quiet show it is due to the time zone. Being on the east coast I get BBC WORLD News on PBS at 6pm. At that time the kids programs have finish. I think Charles is in Denver so his time zone will be different. Most of the kids programs end by 3 pm on PBS minutes before 4.
I suppose that's a reasonable explanation. I also think it's because PBS stations, because they are independently operated, can program their schedule however they want.
What's also weird is that the simulcast is tape delayed for me. Mike goes on live at 4pm (2300 GMT), but my PBS station waits until 4:30 to air it.
I also get Jonathan Charles' first bulletin of the day. I'll try and capture that, too.
It is strange to see those ads mixed up with BBC music/graphics.
When the simulcast was distributed by another PBS station (WNET), they did it differently. Before, there was no countdown; they began with listing the name of the sponsors, no commercial, followed by the bulletin. When KCET picked up distribution, they began airing the countdown, but when they got Union Bank as a sponsor, they began airing that Union Bank commercial.
