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Rewind

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Clock

Until the 1990s, many channels/stations made use of on-screen clocks to introduce certain programmes (mainly news and live event programmes). Until the 1980s, the clocks were mechanical devices. In 1980, the BBC was the first UK broadcaster to introduce an electronically generated clock (on BBC Two). Other channels/stations soon followed the BBC’s lead. Many broadcasters phased out the use of on-screen clocks during the 1990s. The BBC discontinued the use of on-air clocks in 2002. S4C was one of the last UK channels to drop the clock device – at the end of 2006.
The clock device should not be confused with the countdown device used within Schools continuity on BBC One, ITV and Channel 4/S4C.

BBC One continuity followed by Palm Beach interlude (31st August 1982)

Pub: 13th June 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One closedown (16th December 1996)

Pub: 8th June 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One closedown including programme promotion for Sunday (18th September 1994)

Pub: 29th May 2025
by The Rewind Team

Casablanca close and BBC One Scotland closedown including programme promotion for Reporting Scotland (6th October 1992)

Pub: 17th May 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC Two closedown (25th January 1992)

Pub: 15th May 2025
by The Rewind Team

Channel 4 closedown including programme promotion for My Left Foot (20th March 1992)

Pub: 11th May 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One Scotland continuity including programme promotion for Dunroamin’ followed by BBC News opening (1st April 1994)

Pub: 5th May 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC Two closedown including programme promotions for The Mushroom Picker and Horizon (15th February 1993)

Pub: 2nd May 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One Scotland closedown (30th September 1990)

Pub: 13th April 2025
by The Rewind Team

The Other Side of Alf close and BBC Two closedown (22nd December 1985)

Pub: 9th April 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One continuity (13th June 1984)

Pub: 4th April 2025
by The Rewind Team

Thames TV closedown (6th March 1986)

Pub: 23rd March 2025
by The Rewind Team

1978 BBC Wales continuity clip curiosity

Pub: 16th March 2025
by Andrew Nairn

BBC Two closedown including programme promotion for New Drama on BBC Two (3rd January 1992)

Pub: 9th March 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One Northern Ireland continuity followed by BBC Nine o’Clock News opening (20th January 1993)

Pub: 27th February 2025
by The Rewind Team

Channel 4 closedown including programme promotions for Kit and the Widow and A Very Russian Coup (29th December 1991)

Pub: 24th February 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC Northern Ireland News (partial) and BBC One Northern Ireland continuity (c. late-1980s)

Pub: 24th February 2025
by The Rewind Team

Sportsnight from Northern Ireland close and BBC One Northern Ireland closedown (8th September 1988)

Pub: 22nd February 2025
by The Rewind Team

Ulster TV continuity followed by News at Ten opening (14th June 1982)

Pub: 22nd February 2025
by The Rewind Team

Ulster TV continuity including programme promotion for First Tuesday followed by News at 5.45 opening (7th June 1983)

Pub: 18th February 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One Northern Ireland continuity including programme promotion for Scene Around Six followed by BBC Evening News opening (6th June 1983)

Pub: 17th February 2025
by The Rewind Team

Reflections on BBC One’s COW era on its 40th anniversary

Pub: 16th February 2025
by Andrew Nairn

BBC One Northern Ireland closedown (12th May 1984)

Pub: 15th February 2025
by The Rewind Team

BBC One Northern Ireland continuity followed by BBC News at One opening (3rd January 2002)

Pub: 29th September 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC One continuity followed by Talkback opening (1967)

Pub: 17th September 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC TV start-up (c. 1950)

Pub: 5th September 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC Two closedown (11th January 1997)

Pub: 12th March 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC Two closedown including programme promotion for Geoff Hamilton’s Paradise Gardens (6th January 1997)

Pub: 10th March 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC One Northern Ireland continuity including programme promotion for Titanic Week and BBC One balloon ident montage (29th March 2002)

Pub: 23rd February 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC One/BBC One Northern Ireland continuity including programme promotions for Arthur: King of the Britons and Let’s Talk followed by BBC News at Ten opening (28th March 2002)

Pub: 17th February 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC One/BBC One Northern Ireland continuity including programme promotion for Saturday followed by BBC News at Six opening (28th March 2002)

Pub: 15th February 2024
by The Rewind Team

BBC One announcers make the transition from formal to friendly and conversational

Pub: 3rd February 2024
by Andrew Nairn
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