BBC Oneness - idents and presentation

In this case though it wasn't the alarm that was the problem but the PA system that was letting everyone know that the alarm they will hear is not real.


That's totally seperate issue to what sort of alarm there is in the building.

A former employer of mine had a similar issue with the building management making emergency announcements that might end up on air and had TV same solution as Red Bee - do them at a time when we weren't! Worked well until the time when we had a proper emergency and had to get out. Though the fact all our viewers were told that too didn't really matter in the circumstances

Forgive my confusion, but why is there a PA speaker in proximity to the announcer's mic?
Are we likely to hear "And now on BBC One, Her Majesty addresses WILL THE OWNER OF A BLUE NISSAN MICRA PLEASE MOVE IT FROM THE LOADING BAY?"
If it is not an alarm, why is it there?

TV Centre has the two stage system, they had an amber light during This Morning a couple of weeks ago. Unlike TLS where programmes fell off air due to evacuation several times.

Alarms are devices that go WaaWaa WaaWaa etc. That wasn't an alarm you heard. It's not a general PA system, it's one associated with the alarm system for emergencies,or in this case to tell anyone who's not aware that the alarm is tested on a Monday morning that the alarm is being tested.


As I say at a previous office I worked in had it, the only time it was used was for the regular alarm tests and when there was an actual alarm when we were told in very forceful terms which door to leave by! That's what they're for - giving instructions in emergencies

OK, that makes sense, but you'd still think that there must still be a better way of doing it, as it sounds a retrograde step as far as viewers are concerned.
I know that safety is always a priority, but this is obviously going out on air too easily.

Every Sunday night shift without fail I forget about that announcement and it'll scare the bejeezus out of me every time.

As has been mentioned, it's usually done at a time when live mics wouldn't be on air, in case of any leakage.

The alarm itself starts as flashing lights in operational areas.

On the subject of fire alarms, one just went off about 20 minutes ago on Radio Sussex and Radio Surrey which could be heard on air while the presenter was talking. They switched to Radio Kent for 15 minutes while the building was evacuated but are back now.

I think this happened the other way round a few weeks back. On that occasion the presenter on Sussex was able to explain what had happened for all the confused people of Kent

I suspect the buddy arrangements might be different for Sussex and Surrey being split site and with ViLoR meaning the two site are technically independent?

Liking these a lot already... here's hoping

Had a little idea for @BBCOne

The channel brings the nation together, by staying at home.

Just for fun but CCing @BBCCreative if you’re interested!#idents #oneness #bbcone #creative #idea pic.twitter.com/Z3Sb4nHueS

— James Mobbs (@jamesmobbs) April 7, 2020

Very nice, though perhaps the one with the empty playground is a little bleak? But other than that, yeah.

Allows for flexibility. Someone has already made the very good point that Nations & Regions should have these kind of shots built up over the last couple of weeks. Great idea/concept nonetheless.