BBC Network Control
How the channels were kept on air
Spotlight
This page takes a look back at how BBC One and BBC Two output was controlled back in 2000. We go behind-the-scenes at Network Control. The material featured below was obtained from a recording of 'Talking TV' - originally broadcast on BBC One on April 14 2000.
BBC One and BBC Two had their own respective Network Control areas. All output for the two networks was controlled from these suites [below] - from continuity announcements to programme promotions to the programmes themselves - it was all co-ordinated here.
BBC One and BBC Two had their own respective Network Control areas. All output for the two networks was controlled from these suites [below] - from continuity announcements to programme promotions to the programmes themselves - it was all co-ordinated here.
Above: BBC One Network Control.
Hannah Scott-Joynt was one of a team of twenty-five continuity announcers. The on-air hours for each CA at this time was:
Early shift: start of transmission until 1pm.
Afternoon shift: 1pm until 6pm.
Late shift: 6pm until handover to BBC News 24.
A certain amount of technical skill was involved: the CAs were responsible for fading up their own microphone and cutting back the audio from the ident [below]. This had been the case since around 1995. Prior to that, CAs were also responsible for a lot of the vision-mixing in each junction.
Whilst they were telling us what was coming up next, CAs were also taking instructions from their Network Director through headphones.
Early shift: start of transmission until 1pm.
Afternoon shift: 1pm until 6pm.
Late shift: 6pm until handover to BBC News 24.
A certain amount of technical skill was involved: the CAs were responsible for fading up their own microphone and cutting back the audio from the ident [below]. This had been the case since around 1995. Prior to that, CAs were also responsible for a lot of the vision-mixing in each junction.
Whilst they were telling us what was coming up next, CAs were also taking instructions from their Network Director through headphones.
Above: BBC announcer Hannah Scott-Joynt.
The on-duty CA needed to be fully aware of the entire schedule - not only the programmes themselves but also the programme promotions between the programmes. What happened if one of the promos developed a fault? The CA needed to be able to cover - possibly by relating what the promo should have told us. To this end, there were a number of schedule screens [examples below], which gave precise details of everything transmitted on the Network. This would also give the CA an idea of how much time they would have over an ident to link into the next programme.
Above: home for BBC One CAs - Con C [left] and the schedule screens [middle and right] showing the running order for programmes and each component within junctions.
Hannah and her colleagues were also responsible for scripting the links between the programmes (the junctions). This involved previewing the programmes.
Above: examples of BBC One scripts [left and middle]. Scripts were put together by the analogue announcer on duty that day. In case of emergency - a mini-disc player [right] - on hand for filler music.
No-one can ever predict when a programme is going to break down. How could the announcer be there to cover at all times? Well, obviously they couldn't. Nature would inevitably call at some point during the shift. So, how did they cope with this? Simple - the lavatories came equipped with a special extra feature [see below]: a PA system capable of relaying the sound of BBC One and BBC Two. The CA just selected the appropriate network. They would now be able to hear what was going on and would know if there was a breakdown.
The PA system could also be used by the Network Director to tell the announcer about a breakdown.
The PA system could also be used by the Network Director to tell the announcer about a breakdown.
Above: Hannah demonstrates the PA system in the continuity lavatories.
In the event of the snooker or golf finishing early, what happened? Well, there was a library of filler programmes within the Network Control area [below]. The choice of which one to use was dictated by the gap to be filled and of course, the Network Director.
Above: the programme filler library.
Above: engineers and presentation operators were housed in a separate area, across the corridor from Network Control. POs were responsible for loading the tapes and operating the video servers.
Above: Con A - where future CAs were shown the ropes. Although it wasn't a dedicated training area (it was once used for BBC Knowledge), it was not used on air. At least one suite was kept as a spare in case of a complete equipment failure in one of the on-air suites.
