BBC Choice
| BBC Choice | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Launched | 23 September 1998 |
| Closed | 8 February 2003 |
| Owned by | BBC |
| Picture format | 576i (16:9 SDTV) |
| Replaced by | BBC Three |
| Sister channel(s) |
BBC One BBC Two BBC Four BBC News BBC Parliament CBBC CBeebies |
|
Availability
|
|
| Terrestrial | |
| Freeview | Channel 7 |
| Satellite | |
| Sky | Channel 110 |
| Cable | |
| NTL | Channel 106 |
| Telewest | Channel 111 |
BBC Choice was a BBC TV station which launched on 23 September 1998 and closed on 8 February 2003. It was the first British TV channel to broadcast exclusively in digital format, as well as the BBC's second non-terrestrial channel launch (following on from the BBC News channel in 1997).
BBC Choice initially broadcast from 5pm nightly; this later switched to 7pm. The 7pm starts carried over into its successor BBC Three. BBC Choice also aired children's programmes, initially at weekends and subsequently daily during the daytime; this duty transferred to CBBC Channel, CBeebies and BBC Three.
Before the launch, a timer was in place. When the timer was nearing the final seconds, parts of history played, e.g. the first successful rocket launch. When BBC Choice launched, no digital TV receivers were available to the general public as Sky Digital and ONdigital had not yet launched. Instead, the launch was broadcast online over the internet, with the first day's schedule including a Tomorrow's World guide to digital television and repeats of the very first episodes of EastEnders and Monty Python's Flying Circus. The main format of the channel was a mix of BBC One and Two programming as well as original programming such as "Backstage", which took viewers on a tour of the BBC every episode. The channel also provided exclusive coverage of music festivals such as Glastonbury and extended live coverage of sport, for when either BBC One or Two have to end their coverage early or their schedules are unable to provide live sport action.
BBC Choice also introduced an innovative programme format known as 'Hotlink', which expanded on popular shows. Examples included Watchdog Extra, where viewers could contact the show by phone or e-mail with either questions or feedback on the issues discussed. Crimewatch Extra provided follow-up detail on the cases involved in the main programme, and Row Z was a football discussion forum that aired after Match of the Day finished on BBC One. The 'Hotlink' format has since been adopted by many other channels, particularly both ITV2 and E4.
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