BBC 2 Analog London Closes

[Paula A]

I just happened to have BBC2 on and at 12.22am there was a short announcement to the effect that the UK's first colour tv service, BBC2 started in 1967 is now only available in the London area on digital. Analog viewers, you have been watching BBC2 .. and that was that. Another piece of history consigned to the dustbin of the past.

Thust thought it was worth noting.

[Steve_P]

BBC2 started as an 'Alternative Channel' on 625 and then the first Colour channel. Now it's just another channel of pap. That is the really sad part...

Cheers,

Steve P.

[Skywave]

BBC2 started as an 'Alternative Channel' on 625 and then the first Colour channel. Now it's just another channel of pap. That is the really sad part...

Cheers,
Steve P.

I disagree. I'd agree with that remark if it referred to BBC1 or BBC3, but not BBC2. Most (but not all) of the programmes on BBC2 I find are well worth watching.

Al.

[Joe]

I can comment on the current output but when I had a television it was about the only channel I watched. Most of what I watch on the i-Player originate either there or BBC4. BBC3 occasionally comes up with something, 'Ideal' and 'Russell Howard's Good News' spring to mind, but not often.

- Joe

[Paula A]

Thats what I find.. there is a lot of the usual junk during the daytime, house greed and antique fetishising.. but a great example of what I call a "true" BBC 2 program was the last analog offering, a documentary on what it means to be English. Well made, thoughtful and most informative (for a Welsh girl anyway).

I think some times it has a tendency to get a little what I class as "highbrow" and elitist, but I suppose if they didn't cover The Proms nobody else would. I would happiy see the remaining BBC1 religion brainwashing exercise shuffled over, but what would they replace it with?. More Eastenders drivel?. We must never forget the channels original remit which was never "populist" and to offer things far less mainstream and in more depth, though I still get very very annoyed when it's tennis season with the continued shuttling between 1 and 2 right at the crunch point in a match for some completely unfathomable reason like a soap opera.

These days I find more interest elsewhere, BBC1 I doubt I have watched more than the Formula 1 or Wimbledon finals on in years, but I do find myself on 2 from time to time. Pure coincidence I happened to see the analog shutdown announcement. Personally I thought they would have made a bigger event of it, but service as usual.. how many analog viewers were affected I wonder?

Watch the guides, there is coming up a history of BBC2 series which should be interesting following on from the documentary series about the live interview and chat shows.

Joe likes "Ideal" .. it's closer to the truth than you might imagine, I have lived that life and it's not very far fetched at all. Pure brilliance.

[Tedzed1]

Here is the Analogue switch off from Crystal Palace.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIJXiv9jS8s

[Skywave]

Reference that video clip above. The announcer states that BBC 2 analogue is just about to be switched off and that it will be replaced by Digital only. There then follows a trailer for the 'Criminal Britain Season'. Was there some intended irony there?

Al.