Are there still BBC 2 regions?

I realise that in the analogue days, BBC 2 had 'super-regions' which were able to opt-out of the network in special circumstances, but does the channel still have the facility to do this? I ask because surely the technology to do this must still be at the channel? Even with the analogue switch off, the channel should still retain the facility to do this I'd assume.

You created a topic about this almost four months ago. http://www.tvforum.co.uk/tvhome/bbc-2-regions-39966/

Pretty indisputable, TC.

Yes, and it's all explained there.

However I predict the Beeb will eventually end up devolving the English opt outs to
similar architecture that is used for ITV in England and Wales. The regions
sit on the end of a contribution line, and are switched centrally. I think
they are probably going to have to do that to enable regional versions of BBC 1 HD,
thus cutting out the need for national HD sustaining feeds, and for regions that are
still SD, HD contribution (initially) .

If they do do that, then that makes opting on BBC 2 easier to implement, indeed
you could do it on any BBC channel, either nationally, macro regionally, or regionally,
just different router salvos.

(Although non BBC 1 opts would be restricted to DTT, and possibly Cable)

The only difficulty I can see with that is it would prevent (or at least massively complicate) overlaying local graphics over network, for CIN and similar.

A small price to pay, for a larger and more flexible gain I'd say, although you could
use a bank of 12 of these at the code/mux centre, fed by a graphics box, fed by
xml files sent from the regions ?

http://www.miranda.com/DSK-3901

(Other manufacturers of glue products are available)

I think the CiN graphic requirement went a while back didn't it - when they adopted a nationwide phone number? Do English regions crawl over network these days? Was always a bit of a fudge to get it to happen on digital (and force the opt-switch to opt-out with network still on the desk)

I've never seen it here in BBC South-land since DSO (which is ironic, because it's been much easier to do so), I thought there was a requirement (or was it just an idea/trial ?) for local information captions (notably instant notification of missing children) to appear on regional BBC/ITV ?

Yes - I believe that requirement exists. I had forgotten about it. However presumably that wouldn't need to be done locally, so could be implemented with graphics boxes in London.

I suspect if there were a move to a more ITV-style operation, there would still be control of of the opt-switch at the central switching area(s) in the regional area, to allow local programmes to opt-out unilaterally (as is sometimes the case with half-hour local specials which may only happen in one region)

Pretty sure that some English regions have done a similar thing over network election coverage in the last 18 months.

When was the last time we saw the 'missing child' system activated?? I remember it flashing up on ITV on a Saturday night (It'll be alright on the night???), around 10 years ago... but not since. Surely there has been use for it since then?

2008 - It's use is dictated by the National Crime Agency now, nothing to do with the broadcasters. It's where a risk that a child will be seriously injured, killed or taken from the UK. It's accompanied by an All Ports PNC broadcast to various agencies such as the Border Force, Home Office Police Forces covering Airports and the British Transport Police.