BBC1 NI

Way back in the seventies and eighties when BBC1 Announcements in the English Regions were done locally, you could always tell when the local announcer was going to speak due to the background noise and hum of their microphone when it was switched on.

Flicking around the regions on SKY today BBC1 NI does exactly the same - especially over the 'One to Watch' trails - you can hear the mic going on and off with a background hum. BBC Scotland and Wales as well as National are practically silent but not NI.

I know I should worry about world famine etc - but just thought I would mention it

To me, I don't notice it much on 1, but I agree you can tell when local continuity are about to speak on BBC Two. When recording educational output, it's very obvious when they're about to speak on Two. Is it the air-con?

Air conditioning, the sound of PC fans or something along those lines. That's what you're hearing at present. No background noise as such on BBC Wales or BBC Scotland. However, BBC Scotland has an alternative distraction - the all too audible thumping of buttons on the console/desk.

Westcountry was like that when they started - it was as if the announcer was sitting in the boiler room! It was addressed as time went on.