[Jimbo2022]

Interesting times, indeed!

Originally, BBC One HD launched in a hurry so it was set up with new playout and the entire infrastructure was as if an entirely new channel was being launched. Later on, around a year after launch, SD switched to being a downscaled version of HD output. Not long after, the original nations variations launched. “BBC One Network” (SD) then no longer existed as a separately produced service, as a downscaler simply produced the feed. BBC One HD had a DOG added via a caption generator downstream of the split so only HD viewers saw it. A similar approach may be being used now, with a basic graphic generator.

Of course, in those days, BBC One HD network always had the red screen in England; regional variations also were produced differently as the signal physically when to the region (carrying network feed) and back to coding and mux (so was always sent “through the region” in a way that it isn’t now - with opting in and out physically happening at the region site). As part of the preparation for the HD regions upgrade, play out was changed so that regional opting is now controlled by a “switch” in playout instead, but regions can remotely control the switch - allowing them to maintain some autonomy if an emergency opt is needed. So there is no longer a need for the feed to go via the region and back again before coding and mux.

I say all that to point out that things have certainly been changing throughout, but not to the point ordinary viewers would have noticed. The DOG on BBC One HD is long gone though, thankfully!

Thanks for that. Back when bbc1 first appeared in Astra in May 1998, we found out once Sky Digital launched, that UK today replaced regional news. That was also on news 24 I think, but not always.

I later found out that in analogue 14:9 playout, the regions opted out if the original BBC1 satellite feed with UK today on it. North West opted back early by mistake once.

Once regions in SD launched in 2002, London replaced network, but network I understand took news 24 in the local windows. North West opted back early once and it was a copy if news 24 with a sudden switch to bbc1 output 

That feed still existed for bbc1 hd with the news 24 simulcasts during local windows hidden by the red slate but rest if output was the same.

Now BBC1 Nightlight is a downscaled BBC1 HD Network feed with a separate switch to the upgrade red slate. On the 1300 news, you get sport headlines, on 1800 and 2200 you see London headlines. But that I understand us still network feed 

If nobody opted out, I thought BBC news +Spirtsday) is carried at 1349, and London for other two bulletins, but with no oot out you would still get Spirtsday. 

With the north continuity between 1900-2300, there is I believe 2 BBC1 network feeds. Main network, and North network, which both actually take Spirtsday in each local window (except breakfast which is London), and Sunday Politics which varies 

Is that still the case? If not, what would now be seen if nobody opted out for local news?

Also, when the SD feeds close in 8 January, there will still exist a network BBC1. There has to be. In the 1989s, South East, London and Oxford gitvthe sustaining service with Newsroom South East 

If bbc1 network ceased to exist that would be odd given its never nit existed - if you see what I mean.

Thanks