BBC Knowledge

This article is about the defunct BBC Knowledge channel in the UK. For information relating to the new international television channel, see BBC Knowledge (international). For the BBC magazine launched in 2008, see BBC Knowledge (magazine).

BBC Knowledge
Launched	1 June 1999
Closed	2 March 2002
Owned by	BBC
Picture format	576i (16:9 SDTV)
Replaced by	BBC Four
Sister channel(s)	BBC One BBC Two BBC News 24 BBC Parliament
Availability (at time of closure)
Terrestrial
ITV Digital	Channel 13
Satellite
Sky Digital	Channel 553
Cable
NTL	Channel 12/127
Telewest	Channel 245
UPC Poland	Channel 393

BBC Knowledge was an early BBC digital television channel, available by cable, satellite, or terrestrial digital broadcasting, providing a programme of documentary, cultural and educational television.

History

Launch

The BBC had been wanting to expand into the digital television market for a number of years prior to BBC Knowledge's launch. Originally this was by their association with Flextech, which spawned the UKTV network. Both companies had different ideas on how the new channels would be run: the BBC wanted the channels branded as BBC channels, but Flextech wanted the channels to contain advertising. The BBC refused, stating that no domestic BBC channel should carry advertising, and in the end a compromise was made. Two of the channels would launch as BBC channels, the soon to be BBC Choice and the then called BBC Learning, with the remainder of the channels being launched as the UKTV network, intended to be BBC in all but name. Prior to the launch, the channel changed name from BBC Learning to BBC Knowledge.

The channel launched on 1 June 1999, broadcasting for six hours each day. The new channel had plans to be new, multimedia channel, operating across television, online and on interactive television, and showing educational and informative programming. The channel's original schedule style was initially a 'bright and breezy' approach to education, aimed at both adults and children, with viewers encouraged to get involved and contribute to the programming. Original programme included a GCSE survival guide based upon the popular BBC series "Bitesize", entitled "Bitesize Etc" and the technology series The Kit, aimed at children and getting them online and embracing digital.

Relaunch

A few years into the channel's existence, it was becoming clear that the channel's original format was not working in its aim of interacting with viewers and making learning fun. The channel was receiving consistently poor ratings, and the BBC decided to relaunch the channel. The relaunched channel was given a new visual identity, and became from 17 November 2001, a 24-hour channel, caused by the move of BBC Knowledge from the SDN to the BBC multiplex on the DTT service. In addition to this, the format was changed to a serious, documentary channel with scheduling arranged into 'zones' depending on topics.

Closure

However, the real reason for the shift in programming was because the incumbent government delayed approving new BBC digital plans. BBC Three and Four were planned to have launched in 2001 but because of the plans being delayed, instead the BBC decided to relaunch the two channels in the meantime with the new programming. It had been planned since October 2000 that Knowledge would be replaced with BBC Four. Eventually the new digital plans were approved, and BBC Knowledge closed down on 2 March 2002 with the farewell announcement:

'That's it from us tonight - as you've heard, an exciting beginning for a brand new channel is just hours away. BBC4 starts this evening at 7:00. We look forward to what's to come, so from all of us here at BBC Knowledge, it's goodnight... and goodbye!"

BBC Knowledge from mid-2001 was essentially a test platform for the style of the new channel. BBC Four would be more heavily promoted with more new and original programming.

A few seconds after that, a caption appeared on the frequency advertising the launch of the new channel, BBC Four the following day. The new channel would not be 24 hour, like BBC Knowledge was until the month previously, but would broadcast from 7pm until 4am, with the 6am to 7pm slot filled by the new CBeebies channel.

Currently there are versions of BBC Knowledge in other countries.

Visual identity

Main article: BBC Four idents

Launch identity showing the ladders of learning

The launch identity consisted of cartoon characters climbing 'ladders of learning' between clouds against an orange background. Illustrator Michael Sheehy designed the idents. A white, BBC logo with 'Knowledge' after it in capital letters was located at the bottom of the screen. The ident image would also be present in the background of the end promotions, channel menus advertising upcoming programmes, and in video links presented by members of the public. In addition to this, a DOG was used on the channel, located in the top left of the screen, which displayed the web address for the channel, linking in with the interactive learning element, however this was replaced with the BBC Knowledge logo before too long.

Later on, the idents changed to follow a strand layout, with different idents for each strand. These featured an object, before a fact about it related to the strand appears and ends on an image with the strand name shown clearly on screen, with a letter encircled at the centre of the screen. It is unclear whether these idents were replacements of the animated idents, or complimentory to them, however it appears they complemented them, with these idents being used in the stranded sections, with the animated idents used for general interest programming.

Following the relaunch in 2001, all different idents were dropped in favour of a single ident, featuring numerous circles made out of different structures reflecting the new strands.

External links

• BBC Knowledge at TV Ark