A BBC News channel dedicated to the news, initially the channel was only available to cable TV subscribers and then in 1998 to satellite TV viewers also, the channel is now able to be received by anyone with access to digital TV. The channel is also seen on BBC-1 and BBC-2 when those channels are “off-air”. Gavin Esler was the first presenter, his first words being “Hello, and welcome for the first time to BBC News 24”. Audiences to News 24 coverage reached an all-time high during the War in Iraq. With simulcasting on BBC One and BBC Two, the service was watched by 23 million people on one day alone. The three main BBC News bulletins (One O’Clock, Six O’Clock and Ten O’Clock) are also simulcast on News 24. The channel received a lot of criticism at first but has since come of age winning the news channel of the year award at the television journalism awards on 22 February 2006.
UK | BBC | x30 minute episodes | 9 November 1997 – continuing
