BBC America

BBC America is the BBC Worldwide owned-and-operated television network in the United States, which was launched on March 29, 1998, available on both cable and satellite. Since its launch, BBC America has carried programming from the BBC and other British television networks, including comedy, drama, and lifestyle programmes. The entire schedule is given to repeats of drama, comedy such as Benny Hill and home-improvement series such as Changing Rooms. There are also four half-hour BBC World news bulletins included on weekdays -- no regularly-scheduled documentary or current affairs pro ...

Including:

• BBC America - Examples of Idents

Read more here: » BBC America: Encyclopedia - BBC America

BBC World is the British Broadcasting Corporation's 24-hour international current affairs TV channel with BBC News, documentaries, lifestyle programmes and interviews, and was launched in January 1995. Its main global competitor is CNN, though it also competes with News Corporation's Sky News, Fox News and Star News in other markets. The channel is based in the BBC's new Broadcast Centre and takes News feeds from BBC Television Centre both of which are in west London. BBC World - History. BBC ...

Including:

• BBC World - History
• BBC World - Distribution
• BBC World - Programming
• BBC World - Reputation and Criticisms
• BBC World - Censorships
• BBC World - Variation
• BBC World - The Hourly Countdown
• BBC World - BBC World News

Read more here: » BBC World: Encyclopedia - BBC World

For the usual meaning of this term, see body. Bodies is a 2004 medical drama from BBC3 based on the book Bodies by Jed Mercurio. The series is the channel's attempt to break into hour long dramas, with its most successful shows to date being half-hour comedies (Little Britain, etc.). The series was also broadcast to American audiences on digital channel BBC America during the late Summer, early Fall of 2005. The drama has been described as a "dark, sometimes funny" take on the favourite genre made popular through shows s ...

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BBC One (or BBC1 as it was formerly styled) is the oldest television station in the world. It is the primary channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation, and first broadcast as the 'BBC Television Service' on November 2, 1936, although the BBC had been broadcasting experimental and test transmissions in a variety of formats since 1929. The station held a complete monopoly on television broadcasting in the UK until ITV was launched in 1955. BBC One - History. Baird Television Ltd. made Brit ...

Including:

• BBC One - History
• BBC One - Programming
• BBC One - On-screen identity
• BBC One - Channel Controllers

Read more here: » BBC One: Encyclopedia - BBC One

A British sitcom is a situation comedy (sitcom) produced in the United Kingdom. Like sitcoms in most other countries, they tend to be based around a family, workplace or other institution where a group of contrasting characters can be brought together. A common factor is the exploration of social mores, often with a healthy dollop of satire or bathos, in contrast to the sometimes uplifting sentiments of many American sitcoms. British comedies are typically produced in series of six episodes each. British sitcom - Charact ...

Including:

• British sitcom - Characteristics
• British sitcom - History
• British sitcom - British sitcoms overseas
• British sitcom - United States
• British sitcom - Australia
• British sitcom - Canada
• British sitcom - Some popular British sitcoms

Read more here: » British sitcom: Encyclopedia - British sitcom

BBC Three, the successor of the similar BBC Choice, is a British television channel from the BBC broadcasting only on digital cable, terrestrial and satellite. BBC Three was launched on February 9, 2003, eleven months after its originally planned launch date (and that of BBC Four). The delay was due to debate over its proposed format - some felt it would not be sufficiently different to existi ...

Including:

• BBC Three - Identity
• BBC Three - Programmes
• BBC Three - Viewership
• BBC Three - Awards and criticism

Read more here: » BBC Three: Encyclopedia - BBC Three

BBC Two (or BBC2 as it was formerly styled) was the second UK television station to be aired by the BBC. BBC Two - History. The channel was scheduled to begin at 7:20 pm on April 20, 1964 and show an evening of light entertainment, starting with the comedy show The Alberts, a performance from Soviet comedian Arkady Raikin, and a production of Cole Porter's Kiss Me, Kate, culminating with a fireworks display. However, at around 6:45 pm a huge power failure, originating from Battersea Pow ...

Including:

• BBC Two - History
• BBC Two - Programming
• BBC Two - Some popular programmes
• BBC Two - On screen identity
• BBC Two - BBC Two today
• BBC Two - Controllers of BBC Two

Read more here: » BBC Two: Encyclopedia - BBC Two

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is the national public service broadcaster of the United Kingdom (see British television). It produces programmes and information services, broadcasting on television, radio, and the Internet. It is the largest broadcasting corporation in the world. The BBC's main domestic services on television include BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, the news channel BBC News 24, BBC Parliament and the children's channels CBBC and CBeebies. BBC One and BBC Two are available via conventio ...

Including:

• BBC - History
• BBC - The Corporation
• BBC - Funding
• BBC - Management
• BBC - Current review of Royal Charter
• BBC - Political and commercial independence
• BBC - Location
• BBC - BBC Services
• BBC - BBC Departments
• BBC - BBC News
• BBC - Radio
• BBC - Television
• BBC - Worldwide
• BBC - Internet
• BBC - Interactive
• BBC - Unencrypted satellite transmissions

Read more here: » BBC: Encyclopedia - BBC

The British Broadcasting Corporation operates several television networks, television stations and related programming services in the United Kingdom. As well as being a broadcaster, they also produce a large number of their own programmes in-house, forming one of the world's largest television production companies. BBC Television - 1936 to 1939. What is now known as BBC One was the world's first regular television service. It began broadcasting from Alexandra Palace in London on November 2, 1936, t ...

See also:

BBC Television, BBC Television - History of BBC Television, BBC Television - 1936 to 1939, BBC Television - 1946 to 1964, BBC Television - 1964 to 1967, BBC Television - 1967 to 2003, BBC Television - 2004 onwards, BBC Television - Free-to-air analogue stations in the UK, BBC Television - Free-to-air digital-only stations in the UK, BBC Television - International news channel, BBC Television - BBC Worldwide channels

Read more here: » BBC Television: Encyclopedia II - BBC Television - History of BBC Television

Following Sutton's departure from the Head of Drama role in 1981 and his return to front-line producing duties in Shakespeare plays, his place as Head of Drama was taken by Graeme MacDonald. MacDonald had been Head of Serials and later Head of Series & Serials under Sutton, with the two departments having been merged in 1980, remaining so for most of the decade before separating again at the end of it. MacDonald maintained the status quo, and was only Head of Drama for a short time before he was promoted again to run a channel as Controller of BBC Two. ...

See also:

BBC television drama, BBC television drama - Experimental broadcasting and the 1930s, BBC television drama - The return of television and the 1950s, BBC television drama - The 'golden age' of BBC drama, BBC television drama - Changing attitudes in the 1980s and beyond, BBC television drama - The modern era, BBC television drama - Children's drama

Read more here: » BBC television drama: Encyclopedia II - BBC television drama - Changing attitudes in the 1980s and beyond

The Benny Hill Show featured him in innumerable short sketches (along with Henry McGee, Carol Cleveland, Bob Todd, Jackie Wright (Little Jackie) and others) portraying a leering, lecherous, never-quite-succeeding, yet charming protagonist. He was very versatile and appeared in many different costumes. Slapstick and double entendre were his hallmark. The show was criticized by some for being sexist, but Hill replied by pointing out that the female characters were all intelligent and kept their dignity, while the men chasing them were a ...

See also:

Benny Hill, Benny Hill - Life, Benny Hill - Career, Benny Hill - The Benny Hill Show

Read more here: » Benny Hill: Encyclopedia II - Benny Hill - The Benny Hill Show

The initial format of the channel was criticised as being less authoritative than other BBC News output, this being blamed on the radical colour and design of the set and the shirtsleeved male presenters. As a result the channel was relaunched on October 25, 1999 with a new set, music and titles which were based on the recently relaunched network news. This similarity was intended to increase the credibility of ...

See also:

BBC News 24, BBC News 24 - Background, BBC News 24 - Presentation, BBC News 24 - Countdown, BBC News 24 - Changes Announced

Read more here: » BBC News 24: Encyclopedia II - BBC News 24 - Presentation

The show featured many memorable characters, they are listed here by performer. The Fast Show - Charlie Higson. (with Arabella Weir:) Friendly but naked newlyweds. Colin Hunt, unfunny office practical joker. Colin Hunt's office trolley, geddit? *whack* Note: The writers claim Colin is based on those fans of comedy sketch shows who constantly repeat the catchphrases the next day. The name C. Hunt is also one character away from a common ...

See also:

The Fast Show, The Fast Show - Characters, The Fast Show - Charlie Higson, The Fast Show - Paul Whitehouse, The Fast Show - Charlie Higson & Paul Whitehouse, The Fast Show - Mark Williams, The Fast Show - Simon Day, The Fast Show - Arabella Weir, The Fast Show - John Thompson, The Fast Show - Caroline Aherne, The Fast Show - Jeff Harding, The Fast Show - Mixed performances, The Fast Show - Trivia, The Fast Show - Filming Locations

Read more here: » The Fast Show: Encyclopedia II - The Fast Show - Characters

On 28th December 2004 a Christmas special was broadcast. It came from the Cornish village of Boscastle, Cornwall, England which was hit by a great flood on Monday 16th August 2004. On that day, the whole of August's average rainfall, a total of 75mm, fell in two hours BBC News. The designers on this special edition were Anna Ryder Richardson, Graham Wynne and Gordon Whistance. On one episode, a Linda Barker room was being built to accommodate a large collections of teapots. Overnight, the sh ...

See also:

Changing Rooms TV show, Changing Rooms TV show - Format, Changing Rooms TV show - History, Changing Rooms TV show - Disasters, Changing Rooms TV show - Overseas editions, Changing Rooms TV show - MDF

Read more here: » Changing Rooms TV show: Encyclopedia II - Changing Rooms TV show - Disasters

The U.S. is the biggest exporter of television content in the world. In the U.S., television production is influenced by two major parties: advertisers, who hold sway over the broadcast and basic cable networks, and cable systems, who hold sway over the pay cable networks. The owners of the broadcast and basic cable must attract advertising dollars, while the owners of pay cable networks such as HBO must only attract viewership. Most television programming is guided by the same trinity that leads movie production: producers, directors ...

See also:

Television in the United States, Television in the United States - History of television in the United States, Television in the United States - History of U.S. children's television, Television in the United States - The art of television, Television in the United States - The broadcast day, Television in the United States - Categories of American television, Television in the United States - Notable programming, Television in the United States - The lifecycle of U.S. television shows, Television in the United States - Honors, Television in the United States - Languages, Television in the United States - The business of television, Television in the United States - Stations and networks, Television in the United States - About the major broadcast networks, Television in the United States - Non-commercial television, Television in the United States - Cable television, Television in the United States - Satellite television, Television in the United States - Independent TV and syndication

Read more here: » Television in the United States: Encyclopedia II - Television in the United States - The art of television

BBC - Funding. Main article: Television licence#United Kingdom The principal means of funding the BBC is through the television licence. Such a licence is required to operate a broadcast television receiver within the UK. The television licence is set by the government and enforced by the criminal law but is collected privately and does not pass through the state before reaching the BBC, and hence it is inaccurate to ref ...

See also:

BBC, BBC - History, BBC - The Corporation, BBC - Funding, BBC - Management, BBC - Current review of Royal Charter, BBC - Political and commercial independence, BBC - Location, BBC - BBC Services, BBC - BBC Departments, BBC - BBC News, BBC - Radio, BBC - Television, BBC - Worldwide, BBC - Internet, BBC - Interactive, BBC - Unencrypted satellite transmissions

Read more here: » BBC: Encyclopedia II - BBC - The Corporation

Discovery Networks International, or Discovery international networks offers "a portfolio of channels, led by Discovery Channel and Animal Planet, that are distributed in virtually every pay-television market in the world." The division offers over 85 separate feeds in 33 languages with "with channel feeds customized according to language needs and advertising sales opportunities." DCI owns most channels offered by Discovery Networks International, with the exception of: (1) the international Animal Planet channels, which ...

See also:

Discovery Communications, Discovery Communications - Discovery Networks U.S., Discovery Communications - Discovery Networks International, Discovery Communications - Discovery Commerce Education & Other, Discovery Communications - Discovery commerce, Discovery Communications - Discovery education

Read more here: » Discovery Communications: Encyclopedia II - Discovery Communications - Discovery Networks International

My Hero - George Sunday/Thermoman. George Eamon Sunday is an Irish shopkeeper and the alter ego of Thermoman, a world famous superhero. He owns a health food store but tries to avoid attracting customers in order to avoid attention. Only his closest friends know his true identity. The reason he appears to be an idiot is because he is unfamiliar with Earth culture. His speech and behaviour create much of the humour in the show. He is played by Irish comedian Ardal O'Hanlon. See also:

My Hero, My Hero - Characters, My Hero - George Sunday/Thermoman, My Hero - Janet Dawkins, My Hero - Ollie, My Hero - Cassie, My Hero - Piers, My Hero - Arnie, My Hero - Mrs. Raven, My Hero - Mr. and Mrs. Dawkins, My Hero - Tyler, My Hero - Avril, My Hero - Episode list, My Hero - Continuity errors

Read more here: » My Hero: Encyclopedia II - My Hero - Characters

The series is notable as it is scripted by a team of writers, following the American model. Historically, British sitcoms were more generally written by one or two authors. By employing a wider number of writers to brainstorm jokes for each episode, the BBC has been able to maintain a consistent and relatively long-lived product without having to wait for a single writer to produce more material. The production values for the programme are also different from the traditional 'Brit-com'. The set itself is laid out like an open plan Nor ...

See also:

My Family television, My Family television - Characters, My Family television - Reception, My Family television - Production details, My Family television - Episodes, My Family television - Series One 2000, My Family television - Series Two 2001, My Family television - Series Three 2002, My Family television - Series Four 2003, My Family television - Series Five 2004, My Family television - Series Six 2005/2006

Read more here: » My Family television: Encyclopedia II - My Family television - Production details

The serial was Paul Abbott's first attempt to write a political thriller, and he initially made the majority of the plot up as he went along. He was prompted to write the serial after BBC Head of Drama Jane Tranter asked whether he would rather write something "bigger" than he had usually written so far in his career.1 The serial was Abbott's third major writing project for the BBC, following Clocking Off (2000 ...

See also:

State of Play, State of Play - Plot, State of Play - Overview, State of Play - Critical reception

Read more here: » State of Play: Encyclopedia II - State of Play - Overview