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BBC Network control

Highly unlikely to happen but still... (August 2003)

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MO
Moz
Mikeroberts posted:
Asa posted:
Just thinking (well actually I was in new-FAQ mode), what instance would cause the 'BBC family' package to be brought out. Obviously last seen back in 1997 with 1/2/World/Prime(?) all showing the same output but would it be seen now?

Take the death of the Queen - on that day I assume BBC One and Two would team up (albeit probably for a short time), News 24 to join BBC One (news studio?) and World to provide their own package (with a more international/and other news flavour).

With rolling news channels, no closedowns and the acceptability of other channels (such as Two) carrying on with alternative programming, does anyone genuinely think we'd see the swirly ribbons and |B|B|C| generic ident or..gasp..clock?


Ive actually designed the plot for what would happen in this instance, the news is broken during the six O'Clock news. These are the steps I would follow.

Arrow BBC One BBC Two and BBC Three would join forces and all show the remainder of the six O'Clock news.
BBC Four would team up with BBC World
CBBC and CBBies would close down early (they close at seven anyway I think)
BBC News 24 would take over the other channels like BBC Parliament.


Hmmmmmm! It shows how much you've thought this thru!

BBC Three & Four actually not being on air until 7pm as they are unable to be on air at the same time as CBBC Channel and CBeebies!
:-(
A former member
Corin posted:
Mr Me posted:
I think in the event of the Queen dying


But is it actually likely to happen (in our lifetime) ?


Why not... death is no respector of age.... anyone can go at any time.

The death of the Queen would be a huge event - it's not just the death of the Queen, it's the death of the head of state, head of state of several major countries (Oz, NZ, Canada etc), head of the Church of England..... but also there would be a new King/Queen, new head of state, head of the church etc. Followed a year or so later by a coronation
:-(
A former member
Mikeroberts posted:

Ive actually designed the plot for what would happen in this instance, the news is broken during the six O'Clock news. These are the steps I would follow.....


No offence or anything, but have you tried getting out more?
DA
DAS Founding member
LOL. If he tops himself, you'll be sorry! Laughing
CO
Corin
Larry Scutta posted:

Why not... death is no respector of age.... anyone can go at any time.


Exactly! However in previous postings by usage of "in the event" and "would this happen", rather than "when" and "will this happen", the impression was being given that this is an event which could but would not necessarily occur.

And one can be sure that even thought the USA is a federal republic, they too will also give significant coverage of the event, since it will provide ample opportunity for discussion over the succession.

The vital question nobody has adressed though, is if a black tie will be de rigeur for all male newscasters and reporters?
TV
tvarksouthwest
Quote:
Just been thinking about this one... Usually when Network Control from TVC is taken off air, they hand control to Birmingham... Now, what happens in the highly unlikely event that both TVC and Birmingham fail? Would control be passed on to one of the national centres (eg Cardiff) or a regional centre (eg Plymouth)?

This should make a rather interesting topic I think!

The BBC is to switch its backup operation from Birmingham to Elstree, I understand. Oh well, bang goes any hope of Grange Hill coming home...(!)
:-(
A former member
Well that's the mistake that we all made in 1997 isn't it? NOBODY was prepared for Diana to go at the click of a finger. The QM and the Queen herself were/are well-rehearsed and the plans are made and it's already been decided who's going to be doing what when that news breaks - irrespecitve of the appaling service IRN gave about 230 stations on the evening of the QM's death - but NOBODY planned for the heir to the throne's wife dying - I repeat, the HEIR TO THE THRONE. His wife is pretty damn imporant but nobody expected that she might be tragically killed in a car crash.

Diana's death's media reaction was a result of downight incompetence. I think when the Queen dies, especially if it is not in tragic circumstances, then even then, the coverage will not be as great as that day which it was exactly 6 years ago this Sunday.
:-(
A former member
James Martin posted:
Well that's the mistake that we all made in 1997 isn't it? NOBODY was prepared for Diana to go at the click of a finger. The QM and the Queen herself were/are well-rehearsed and the plans are made and it's already been decided who's going to be doing what when that news breaks - irrespecitve of the appaling service IRN gave about 230 stations on the evening of the QM's death - but NOBODY planned for the heir to the throne's wife dying - I repeat, the HEIR TO THE THRONE. His wife is pretty damn imporant but nobody expected that she might be tragically killed in a car crash.


Don't get so excited. Diana and Charles divorced in 1994.

Diana was never going to be the wife of the King.
:-(
A former member
Simon_Luxton posted:

The BBC is to switch its backup operation from Birmingham to Elstree, I understand. Oh well, bang goes any hope of Grange Hill coming home...(!)


Elstree is a big place, there would be plenty of room for both - Grange Hill uses studio space, a load of servers and a few control rooms takes up office/technical space. I believe that the new backup facilities are being built in the area formally used by Newsroon Southeast
CO
Corin
I do not understand the logic of moving the backup center geographically closer to the BBC TV Centre. Surely a backup center should be as far away as possible, eg in Glasgow or Belfast?
NE
Neil__
Corin posted:
Exactly! However in previous postings by usage of "in the event" and "would this happen", rather than "when" and "will this happen", the impression was being given that this is an event which could but would not necessarily occur.

Unless you believe those conspiracy theorists who believe that either:
a) the Queen has been giving the Elixir of Life and consequently will never die
b) the Queen has been replaced by a robot. Wink

Of course, judging by how long the Queen Mother hung on, we could be in for another 20-30 years of QE2.
Unless Charles goes mad at the thought of waiting, murders her and gets carted off to prison, clearing the way for William to become king and abdicate immediately, as he doesn't really want to do it.
Just a thought.

Quote:
The vital question nobody has adressed though, is if a black tie will be de rigeur for all male newscasters and reporters?

I think the BBC, at least, addressed this after the complaints about Peter Sissons' tie when the QM died: the Queen definitely merits a black tie.
:-(
A former member
Corin posted:
I do not understand the logic of moving the backup center geographically closer to the BBC TV Centre. Surely a backup center should be as far away as possible, eg in Glasgow or Belfast?


Because the programmes and transmission staff are in London. The staff on shift need to shove all the tapes into bags, get into a car and get to the back up place while either the automation in London or some standby programmes at the backup fill in the gap in transmission.

With servers and computers this isn't so much of an issue as the programmes can just be sent up a wire, but then you've still got to ferry staff from their homes in Acton and master tapes back and forward to the other place. A 6-8 hour car journey or a plane shuttle isn't really an option especially if TV Centre is unavailiable for several days or weeks

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