BBC One Clock

As some of you have already commented about the clock used just before news programmes on BBC1, should it tick for the last time, and be replaced with something similar to the News 24 countdown?

The picture below is a mock-up countdown of what the BBC could use. the image below would be a live feed of the worlds most famous clock, ticking down to the hour.

I'm not too sure whether it should have music or not, because that would drown out Big Ben's 'ding-dong-ding-dong.........ding-dooong-dong dong....', and cut to the newsreader at the newsdesk on the first BONG!

http://www.btinternet.com/~thenewsroom/newlook-bbc1cd.jpg

News 24 did something similar on its launch in 1997.

Nice idea, but it would sound like 'News at Ten'. Think ITN would have something to say!!

The countdown is a device to fill to the top of the hour, as N24 doesn't have a pres. suite. BBC1/2 & World have presentation directors, and that's why they have shorter symbols/clocks into news. I really don't think you will ever see a countdown on One.

I think that would be a great idea, especially with some music!

And I also think that during all the BBC news programmes, there should be a clock, just like in Breakfast and News 24! Anyone else agree?

Gary.

I LIKE IT!
Maybe you should send it to BBC, and see what they say. Also, very good mixing of graphics, my mum would be proud! [if it was me]

I personally don't think a countdown would work. It is only meant to act as a filler to the hour and not 'introduce' the news as such. I'd be miffed if the Beeb decided to scrap the clock and just replace it with the balloon (which happens at weekends anyway) because as the old saying goes 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'

Cheers, Asa

Well I wonder what will happen when the Balloons are scrapped!!!

Nah, I don't like the clock on BBC One, it's analogue for goodness sake!!! It should at least be a digital clock for todays digital age.

I think the countdown would look silly on BBC One, I also wish that News 24 could show 90 seconds more often!

Yeah - have you noticed that recently your rarely get more than 15-seconds-worth of countdown (although the 90-second countdown did run the other night at the BBC One crossover!).

Incidentally, does anyone know exactly when the BBC TWO clock ticked off (as it were)? I would love to see the return of that 'happy face'! <Ok, enough with the clock puns!> I seem to remember that it was used for the mid-afternoon BBC TWO news too, not just for closedown. Can anyone remember?

Mark Grindon

The countdown at 0000 was around 20 seconds but your best bet is in the early hours when there isn't a need as much to run a lot of trailers.

As for the BBC Two clock, it went around 1998 I think but was shown during Wimbledon 2000 because the coverage overran on BBC One so they shifted the News At One to BBC Two and had the clock.

In my former region, a BBC Two regional ident with matching announcement appeared. 'This is BBC TWO in the North, now...' (the Two was stressed!)

Maybe there's hope this time around....

Cheers, Asa

Do we know roughly when the new idents will appear on BBC One?

It is pure speculation. Lorraine Heggessey may have changed her mind. Otherwise, I'd suspect the Autumn.

Cheers, Asa