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BBC THREE/CBBC problems

(March 2004)

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JV
James Vertigan Founding member
Noticed last night that CBBC and BBC Three had a few problems at the handover last night... Here's what I can remember

CBBC presenters say goodnight.... but when the "Goodnight" endcap was meant to play, it didn't... so I think they had to improvise... this resulted in them being cut off mid sentence when the "cut-off" point arrives (when it goes to a blank screen) Then BBC THREE started normally but before the 7o'clock news I think we got a brief glimpse of the 60 Seconds titles...

BBC FOUR and CBeebies were unaffected I believe.
DE
deejay
CBBC and BBC Three share the same transmission equipment, so if there were automation problems at the end of CBBC, then it's very likely to have affected the first junctions on BBC Three.
FA
fanoftv
Was it last night or Tuesday night? Though I think it was last night.
What happened last night (if it was) Rani, Jemma & Abs were linking (Rani was a guest), they said all that they were supposed to say and so said see you tomorrow, goodbye, but this was only 6:55, with two minutes on air left!

So , after a few seconds thinking they were off air, Rani started to talk about her new show again (which I believe Abs is a part of too as he chirpped in with something), it was quite an interesting chat.
On Sky Digital (that I was watching through), the channel cut off (as it does at 6:57) and BBC Three on 115 started up, yet CBBC continued over there until 6:58/6:59 when they finally shut up and said goodbye, but obviously BBC Three couldn't be bothered to wait any longer, so when the end animation started, they flicked off CBBC and put on the BBC Three will begin shortly frame.

Though I was thinking why do CBBC/CBeebies finish at 6:57, when BBC Three/Four just stick up a still until 6:59/7pm?
BC
Blake Connolly Founding member
fanoftv posted:
Though I was thinking why do CBBC/CBeebies finish at 6:57, when BBC Three/Four just stick up a still until 6:59/7pm?


When CBBC/CBeebies started, they had major problems with the handover on Sky in particular (I seem to remember one time CBBC supposedly finishing at 6:55 but Choice still being on a blue screen a few mins past 7). It's probably a leftover of that happening, as well as making sure that if you tune in to watch the first programme a couple of minutes before it starts, which isn't unusual with ad breaks and trailers around, you're not faced with a blue screen.
FA
fanoftv
Blake Connolly posted:
fanoftv posted:
Though I was thinking why do CBBC/CBeebies finish at 6:57, when BBC Three/Four just stick up a still until 6:59/7pm?


When CBBC/CBeebies started, they had major problems with the handover on Sky in particular (I seem to remember one time CBBC supposedly finishing at 6:55 but Choice still being on a blue screen a few mins past 7). It's probably a leftover of that happening, as well as making sure that if you tune in to watch the first programme a couple of minutes before it starts, which isn't unusual with ad breaks and trailers around, you're not faced with a blue screen.


Oh yeah, I remember that happening, but wasn't that Sky's problem? One night BBC Three/Choice was broadcast for at least an hour (could have been longer) on the CBBC.
I'm sure I remember one night that they had to turn off the signal as it was deemed inappropriate to broadcast post 9pm programmes within the childrens section of the EPG.

I wouldn't mind them changing over, it would just be nice if they had a short promo or a trailer, or even played the singing blobs, a trailer or two, and then into 60 seconds. Rather than just staring and waiting watching the BBC Three starts soon caption, I usually find myself flipping away from this.
NW
nwtv2003
Blake Connolly posted:
fanoftv posted:
Though I was thinking why do CBBC/CBeebies finish at 6:57, when BBC Three/Four just stick up a still until 6:59/7pm?


When CBBC/CBeebies started, they had major problems with the handover on Sky in particular (I seem to remember one time CBBC supposedly finishing at 6:55 but Choice still being on a blue screen a few mins past 7). It's probably a leftover of that happening, as well as making sure that if you tune in to watch the first programme a couple of minutes before it starts, which isn't unusual with ad breaks and trailers around, you're not faced with a blue screen.


They had to closedown CBBC and CBeebies at 6.45pm for a few weeks, I think this started when BBC Four came on air, but they eventually moved it back to 6.57pm or so. It does remind you of the old days when TV-am had to hand back to ITV stations doesn't it?

Though apparently Choice broadcasted on CBBC after 7pm which caused problems, I think there are some caps on the Net somewhere. For a few hours one day last year NTL managed to get CBBC on BBC Three and CBBC at the same time, otherwise it is just a black screen in the day.

They would have been easier if they had CBBC on Three and CBeebies on Four, to save on the technical problems.
NS
NickyS Founding member
nwtv2003 posted:
Blake Connolly posted:
fanoftv posted:
Though I was thinking why do CBBC/CBeebies finish at 6:57, when BBC Three/Four just stick up a still until 6:59/7pm?


When CBBC/CBeebies started, they had major problems with the handover on Sky in particular (I seem to remember one time CBBC supposedly finishing at 6:55 but Choice still being on a blue screen a few mins past 7). It's probably a leftover of that happening, as well as making sure that if you tune in to watch the first programme a couple of minutes before it starts, which isn't unusual with ad breaks and trailers around, you're not faced with a blue screen.


They had to closedown CBBC and CBeebies at 6.45pm for a few weeks, I think this started when BBC Four came on air, but they eventually moved it back to 6.57pm or so. It does remind you of the old days when TV-am had to hand back to ITV stations doesn't it?

Though apparently Choice broadcasted on CBBC after 7pm which caused problems, I think there are some caps on the Net somewhere. For a few hours one day last year NTL managed to get CBBC on BBC Three and CBBC at the same time, otherwise it is just a black screen in the day.

They would have been easier if they had CBBC on Three and CBeebies on Four, to save on the technical problems.

My version of NTL just broadcasts CBBC on the BBC Three channel all day and BBC Three on CBBC .. . same with Four and CBeebies ... so they don't have the switching problem. But the BBC don't like that as they don't want children being able to see BBC Three programmes ... that was always the reason for having different channel numbers.
NE
Neil__
nwtv2003 posted:
They would have been easier if they had CBBC on Three and CBeebies on Four, to save on the technical problems.

Ah, but then they couldn't boast about 8 BBC channels, could they? Smile

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