UK Today

"UK Today" was a BBC television news programme shown on the digital satellite versions of BBC One (in England until 2002) and BBC Two (in England until 2002, elsewhere in the UK until 2001). It consisted of a roundup of stories from the BBC's various local news programmes. The programme was eventually replaced by digital feeds of each regional news service.

History

When the BBC started digital broadcasts, the various English regional versions of BBC One and Two were not available. Neither were the Northern Irish, Scottish or Welsh versions of BBC Two.This presented a problem with two obvious solutions - either just show the BBC South East version of the channels, or create new programming to fill the gaps. The decision was taken to go with the second option, although any non-news programming (such as the regional political slot) was filled by the South East region.

In 2000, "BBC Breakfast", a simulcast programme between BBC One and BBC News was launched. Regional opt-outs on BBC News carried "UK Today" across the UK.

Bulletins were originally broadcast from within the BBC News 24 studio (N8), though the set was later moved to the same studio as the BBC One news bulletins (N6).

Gradual Demise

It was gradually replaced; the non-England versions of BBC Two went digital in 2001, then the English regions started to go digital, although not on satellite. In 2002 the satellite version of BBC One started carrying the London region's programme, "BBC London News" across England, although an interactive service did allow viewers to select one of four alternate regional programmes, including "South Today" and "North West Tonight". All regional services have been available via the BBC UK regional TV on satellite service since May 2003.

Today

Due to the minimal regional broadcasting on BBC Two in England, it was not cost-effective to create digital versions of these regions, so short "BBC London" bulletins continued to be broadcast throughout England on BBC Two. In 2004, all regional news bulletins were moved to BBC One and in 2006, the last remaining regional programme, "The Super League Show", shown in some northern regions was also moved. Although it is still technically possible for most regions to opt-out on analogue, any variation in programming is rare. The teletext service Ceefax, does still carry regional content on BBC Two, however. During the Commonwealth Games in 2006, "BBC Breakfast" was shown on BBC Two, so regional opt-outs on the digital variant in England were replaced by a newspaper review for digital viewers.

ee also

*BBC UK regional TV on satellite