BBC News Special
Encyclopedia
BBC News Special is the title given by BBC News
to a news programme covering one specific and important event, often unscheduled. It is usually used to refer to situations where the programme being broadcast on the BBC News channel is also broadcast on either (or a combination of) BBC One
, BBC Two
or BBC World News simultaneously.
This happens during important pre-arranged events such as the announcement of the host of the London 2012 Olympics
, and also happens for events where normal programming on BBC One or BBC Two is interrupted, such as the 7 July 2005 London bombings
or the emergency ruling in Pakistan
. It is also used for programmes that don't interrupt programming on BBC One/Two, but do replace the originally intended programming in order to give an extra news bulletin to provide an update on an ongoing event such as the 2007 United Kingdom floods
.
When a BBC News Special interrupts programming on BBC One or Two, a bar will often appear at the bottom of the screen on the other channel with, "BBC News report on BBC One [or Two]". However, instances such as the death of the Queen Mother
have been reported on both BBC One and BBC Two, both simulcasts of BBC News 24. Similar bars have also been used on other networks; Sky One
displayed a bar intermittently when the Queen Mother's death was reported, referring to its news channel Sky News
.
Most BBC News Specials broadcast on BBC World News and the BBC News channel as well. Some BBC News Specials can last between 1 – 6 hours long, depending on the event.
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
to a news programme covering one specific and important event, often unscheduled. It is usually used to refer to situations where the programme being broadcast on the BBC News channel is also broadcast on either (or a combination of) BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, BBC Two
BBC Two
BBC Two is the second television channel operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It covers a wide range of subject matter, but tending towards more 'highbrow' programmes than the more mainstream and popular BBC One. Like the BBC's other domestic TV and radio...
or BBC World News simultaneously.
This happens during important pre-arranged events such as the announcement of the host of the London 2012 Olympics
2012 Summer Olympics
The 2012 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the "London 2012 Olympic Games", are scheduled to take place in London, England, United Kingdom from 27 July to 12 August 2012...
, and also happens for events where normal programming on BBC One or BBC Two is interrupted, such as the 7 July 2005 London bombings
7 July 2005 London bombings
The 7 July 2005 London bombings were a series of co-ordinated suicide attacks in the United Kingdom, targeting civilians using London's public transport system during the morning rush hour....
or the emergency ruling in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. It is also used for programmes that don't interrupt programming on BBC One/Two, but do replace the originally intended programming in order to give an extra news bulletin to provide an update on an ongoing event such as the 2007 United Kingdom floods
2007 United Kingdom floods
The 2007 United Kingdom floods were a series of destructive floods that occurred in various areas across the country during the summer of 2007. The most severe floods occurred across Northern Ireland on 12 June; East Yorkshire and The Midlands on 15 June; Yorkshire, The Midlands, Gloucestershire,...
.
When a BBC News Special interrupts programming on BBC One or Two, a bar will often appear at the bottom of the screen on the other channel with, "BBC News report on BBC One [or Two]". However, instances such as the death of the Queen Mother
Queen mother
Queen Mother is a title or position reserved for a widowed queen consort whose son or daughter from that marriage is the reigning monarch. The term has been used in English since at least 1577...
have been reported on both BBC One and BBC Two, both simulcasts of BBC News 24. Similar bars have also been used on other networks; Sky One
Sky One
Sky1 is the flagship BSkyB entertainment channel available in the United Kingdom and Ireland.The channel first launched on 26 April 1982 as Satellite Television, and is the fourth-oldest TV channel in the United Kingdom, behind BBC One , ITV and BBC Two...
displayed a bar intermittently when the Queen Mother's death was reported, referring to its news channel Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
.
Most BBC News Specials broadcast on BBC World News and the BBC News channel as well. Some BBC News Specials can last between 1 – 6 hours long, depending on the event.