Dissolves

Kind of, these days server playout is replacing tape. If tape is used they're either all put into a machine (called an LMS or a Flexicart) which loads each tape when needed, or they'll be loaded manually into VT machines several programmes in advance.

Other than the loading of the video material and teh schedule data, everything runs automatically. Details in the schedule also switch on or change other functions such as PDC, Subtitles, Interactive apps, audio description, aspect ratio etc. - things that would be very tricky and inaccurate to do manually

Yep - the whoosh cue is for the sound sting I believe, and ITV curiously use the single word "opt" to mean "opt out".

The BBC, who have been doing talkback driven opts for a LOT longer, use the phrase "opt-out, opt-out" - giving regions enough time to hear, cue or run VT and cut away cleanly. At the end of the opt, the command is usually "opt-in, opt-in" though "opt-back, opt-back" used to be used (but takes longer to say!)

Not sure what OPT actually stands for - can't remember if it is "option" (because the junctions were optional initially, and some regions didn't opt-out), or something else.

The other reason it is said twice is to make it certain that it is the opt and not just someone talking about an opt. Apprently before the double 'opt-out' becamse the cue some less attentive regions would press the button when they heard 'opt out' mentioned in other talkback chatter

The director in the national studio will actually say "opt-out opt-out CUT"

The region will/should only actually opt on the CUT.

Same for opting in.

Surely the 'CUT' is the national studio director's instruction to the N6 Vision Mixer, telling them to cut to BBC London, as a sustaining feed? - if the regions haven't opted by then, they'll get a flash frame of BBC London before they go.

It doesn't stand for anything - 'to opt' is a straightforward verb,

from the OED:

to opt out of: to choose not to participate in.
to opt in: to choose to participate in something.

Yes, the 'cut' is a cue to cut to the next networked item (not always done bny the news studio of course, it's often done by presentation). The regions need to opt out after the second 'Opt-out' and before the 'cut'

I thought the first 'opt out' call was for Nations/Regions and the 2nd 'opt out' was for BBC London - to give the N&R a second or so to get out - unless your region is using a certain Automation system, in which case you have to hit the 'Take Next' button as soon as Huw starts to say "Bye for now" and before any opt cues from Network!

No, they've been using it long before the London (or South East as was) region needed to do anything at that time.

You're right in that one of the advantages is that It does give everyone time to opt out, but the main reason it is said twice is to avoid confusion

Yes - that is another reason. There are many stories of regions cutting away for real when the opt is being discussed in the network gallery. Most news directors will say "This is a rehearsal" before saying opt-out, opt-out, cut during the headline rehearsals before the national news (which regions only get to rehearse for timing purposes - they don't see network for this - though nations could if they picked up the news studio on their clean feed)

Err - no.

The CUT is the command for the vision mixer in the network studio to cut to the next network source AFTER the opt (i.e. cut up BBC London, or a safe source, depending on the junction type)

Regions should go any time between the first opt-out (if they've heard the standby regions first - if not they should wait for the second - though in reality you KNOW when the opt is coming!) and the second. If they are waiting to hear CUT - then they'll almost certainly catch a flash of network's next source unless they have faster reaction times than the network vision mixer/director.

Doh - of course... Brain must have been out of gear. It is just the same as a school opting out of LEA control etc. I must have been tired!