02-07-2021, 09:20 AM
There was a also a useful side to not having any programmes at times during the day.
As recently as the end of the 1980s, we were using the BBC 1 or 2 distribution networks to send programmes to the regions or nations during trade test times.
It obviously required all the places on route to subsitute test signals from TVC with their own local ones, and then bingo - a free line to any of the BBC premises you needed.
Bear in mind that vision circuits were increadibly expensive, and you rented them by the minute and were charged for the distance - so sending something to Glasgow from London at no cost saved a fortune on money out to BT.
As recently as the end of the 1980s, we were using the BBC 1 or 2 distribution networks to send programmes to the regions or nations during trade test times.
It obviously required all the places on route to subsitute test signals from TVC with their own local ones, and then bingo - a free line to any of the BBC premises you needed.
Bear in mind that vision circuits were increadibly expensive, and you rented them by the minute and were charged for the distance - so sending something to Glasgow from London at no cost saved a fortune on money out to BT.