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http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl >> History >> Regional TV Documentary http://www.ex-bbc.net/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1310976704 Message started by Administrator on Jul 18^th, 2011, 8:12am

Title: Regional TV Documentary
Post by Administrator on Jul 18^th, 2011, 8:12am

For information.

"Regional TV: Life Through a Local Lens"

TX Date Wednesday 20th July 2011

BBC Four

"The hour-long documentary will explain how both the BBC and ITV took advantage of new transmitter technology in the late 50s and early 60s to reach new audiences across the country, offering content that focused on the places 'real people' lived."

Source:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ariel/14183095

Title: Re: Regional TV Documentary
Post by Roundabout on Jul 22^nd, 2011, 7:00am

Having now watched it it was so surprising how innacurate and silly it was in places.....'Opt out regions' said the 'network director' and a shot of a very high duty electrical switch was shown being thrown.......Ugh! there were lots of pictures of network studios shown to illustrate 'local' studios. Despite having many later 'famous' broadcasters (which seemed to be the way of selecting featured regions) there was no mention of BBCs Bristol, Southampton and just one Plymouth! ............and none at all of ITV Southern, ITV Central/ATV.

Title: Re: Regional TV Documentary
Post by Amigo on Jul 22^nd, 2011, 7:32am

There was a certain amount of 'televisual licence'!
I saw a GV of Southern's studio centre, but apart from the ATV 'eye' logo, there wasn't much else.
Granada was given due prominence.

Not enough was made of the modest network programmes made within he regions. Gardening, cooking, etc.... which were simply dropped.

It was nice to hear the old - original- "Nationwide" sig tune again.

I was on the sound crew in Lime Grove when the pilot for Nationwide was tested. This was when the 'sub-regions' opted out of their parent station (Plymouth out of Bristol's output, Norwich out of Birmingham's output etc). I had to tighten the gap in the tail of the opening sig so tightly that the sub regions could only just opt out!

Later in my career, now in a region... the TM of the day uttering the imortal words "Nothing for Nationwide tonight" meant we got home in time for a late evening meal! :)

Ah those were the days....

Title: Re: Regional TV Documentary
Post by double-vision on Jul 22^nd, 2011, 12:01pm

Nothing on BBC Scotland either. Nationwide, the number of times we waited to do our insert to them only to hear over talkback "we won't be using you tonight Scotland." By this time all the best "grub" had gone in the canteen and we were on till midnight too to transit the Epilogue. Suppose it'll have to be another pint and a pork-pie in the club again. Happy days indeed!

Title: Re: Regional TV Documentary
Post by Amigo on Jul 22^nd, 2011, 2:44pm

"Regions" not "Nations"

In one programme, there isn't space for all memories. As has been stated elsewhere, a series of (perhaps) three programes might have been better.
60's to 70's
70's to 80's
80's to 90's

The ITV structure was (originally) much more regional. They were "Yorkshire TV", "Scottish TV" etc, the perception was always "we're closer to you than the BBC".
However, as years pass, the BBC regional news has become much stronger as resourses altered, and management changed priorities.

In many areas the BBC Regional TV news is now more popular. It must be admitted that there are other factors that can alter this.