The Newsroom

Lockerbie | Thirty Years On

Television News Coverage (December 2018)

This site closed in March 2021 and is now a read-only archive
SC
Si-Co
Steve in Pudsey posted:
commseng posted:
There was a BT inject point into their network that everyone was trying to use, but it's no surprise that Border TV were first to get pictures out. The BBC permanent vision feed was one circuit from Glasgow to Manchester via the Carlisle switcher which was always busy (discussed on here previously). In the following days various injects and temporary radio links went into service as the coverage continued.


It has been suggested that the Carlisle based TV sub opt was dropped in the aftermath of the disaster as its (limited) facilities were commandeered by network coverage. I imagine Manchester were providing plenty of coverage in their opts anyway.


Was this during the era that Cumbria was linked to the North West BBC region, rather than the North East? I hadn’t realised that.

Strictly speaking - unlike Border TV - Lockerbie wasn’t part of the region anyway, though, due to the infrastructure, many folks in South West Scotland were watching BBC NE/NW as opposed to BBC Scotland.
CO
commseng
Steve in Pudsey posted:
commseng posted:
There was a BT inject point into their network that everyone was trying to use, but it's no surprise that Border TV were first to get pictures out. The BBC permanent vision feed was one circuit from Glasgow to Manchester via the Carlisle switcher which was always busy (discussed on here previously). In the following days various injects and temporary radio links went into service as the coverage continued.


It has been suggested that the Carlisle based TV sub opt was dropped in the aftermath of the disaster as its (limited) facilities were commandeered by network coverage. I imagine Manchester were providing plenty of coverage in their opts anyway.

That rings a bell with me, that vision circuit was in demand and the local opt was dropped. As you say what else would Manchester's programme have lead with anyway?
MA
Markymark
Hatton Cross posted:
Markymark posted:
Steve in Pudsey posted:
Nice piece here from Martin Lewes of BBC Radio Cumbria on how they abandoned the office Christmas Party to cover the story - initially for the whole BBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/articles/2007/09/11/martin_lewes_memoryshare_feature.shtml


Interesting to see how in the space of 10 years the BBC News website has degenerated into LARGE font, and vastly reduced written detail. I’ve read that page quite easily on my iphone. Progress eh ?


Sorry - but there's a time and a valid thread to pick faults with the BBC font and website readabillity..
..and this really isn't the one. Thanks.



I’m sorry you appear to be offended by my comments, but this forum exists to discuss presentational aspects of TV broadcasting and the mechanics thereof.

To an outsider all the posts that spring up the moment a terrorist attack or other tragedy occurs probably look crass and insensitive.

I don’t regard my comments off beam, or feeding off the event itself.

However I acknowledge and respect your discomfort
CO
commseng
I'm in agreement with Markymark on the way the BBC News website has become more picture based to the detriment of listing the headlines in a way that it did. The BBC site is not alone in that of course.
If it is felt outside this thread's remit, then maybe it would be best to start a new thread for it?
SC
Si-Co
I mentioned it earlier, but now having watched, I’m very impressed with the coverage by ITV Border. Two 30-minute specials on Friday, and additional footage on their Facebook page. Had they still been paired with Tyne Tees, this may not have been the case.

This makes me grateful we still have regional news on ITV, even if we don’t have regional identity. Does anyone know what kind of coverage was shown on BBC Reporting Scotland?
JM
JamesM0984
BBC One Scotland showed a really good documentary last week, which English, Welsh and Irish viewers can view on iPlayer.
SC
Si-Co
JamesM0984 posted:
BBC One Scotland showed a really good documentary last week, which English, Welsh and Irish viewers can view on iPlayer.


Lockerbie Legacy? It was repeated on BBC Four on Thursday night. I’ve just watched it. Very moving and unbiased.

Channel Four and the BBC also produced special programmes in 1998 to mark the tenth anniversary. In particular I recommend the Channel 4 documentary A Night Remembered:

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