"Terry Casey" wrote in message
...
In article , says...
From http://www.hywel.org.UK/bbc2launch/
QUOTE
When BBC2 launched on April 20th 1964, ...
UNQUOTE
panto mode.
Oh no it didn't!
/panto mode
OK, two can play at this game:
panto mode
Oh yes it did!
/panto mode
The launch of BBC2 was PLANNED for April 20th 1964 but a fire at
Battersea Power Station blacked out large areas of west London -
including the Television Centre - shortly before BBC2 was due to start.
In fact BBC2 *did* launch on April 20th, from a news studio at Alexandra
Palace, I've seen the recording. Not suprisingly the headline news item was
the power cut!
OK so a brief news programme wasn't what the BBC had in mind for the 'Grand
Opening' of BBC2, but a programme was broadcast on BBC2 on April 20th.
As a result, BBC2 opened at 1130 on April 21st 1964 and the first
programme was Play School.
No, the first programme on BBC2 was a news bulletin, on April 20th.
David.