FAQs - BBC Entertainment

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Is BBC Entertainment available over the internet?
  2. I would really like to work for the BBC - how do I find out about employment opportunities? Can I send you my C.V.?
  3. Can you explain your repeat pattern?
  4. What is the reason for including older programmes in the schedule?
  5. Why are there advertisements in BBC programmes on the channels?
  6. Why do we see the same trailers again and again?
  7. Why are programmes interrupted mid-sentence for breaks? Why are programmes being cut off before the end?
  8. Why are programmes interrupted abruptly for breaks? Why are there breaks in programmes not designed for them?
  9. Why is the EPG sometimes showing the wrong programme? Why are programmes shown not always the ones advertised?

Answers

  1. Is BBC Entertainment available over the internet?

    At present, the channel is not available on the internet. Although, we will continue to look into the possibility of making the channel available online and suggest you continue to check the website from time to time for more information.

  2. I would really like to work for the BBC - how do I find out about employment opportunities? Can I send you my C.V.?

    Please don't send your C.V. to us! We at BBC Entertainment can't help with enquiries about working at the BBC. When there are vacancies they are advertised in the most relevant newspapers and on the BBC's main website. For general information, advice and the latest vacancies, please visit www.bbc.co.uk/jobs.

  3. Can you explain your repeat pattern?

    Like all commercial channels in a multi-channel environment our channels will normally repeat programmes at a different time of the day and/or at weekends. This allows for people coming to the channel at different times of the day to still see a selection of our great programmes, or to catch up on shows that they might have missed. Similarly, with many viewers joining our channels all the time, a repeat for one viewer may represent a first chance to see that programme for another. We schedule the first run of programmes at key times, usually in the evenings, and as the channel grows we seek to introduce ever higher percentages of new material every month but, for the reasons given above, it is still necessary to run series more than once.

  4. What is the reason for including older programmes in the schedule?

    For the majority of our viewers, this is the first chance to see these programmes, and often the only way to view them. However, it is likely that British people currently overseas will have already seen some of our programmes - but there is also plenty of fresh and recent programming on the channel.

  5. Why are there advertisements in BBC programmes on the channels?

    All programmes on our channels are edited for commercial breaks. The promotional breaks provide us with an opportunity to tell viewers about upcoming series or particular programming strands where commercials are not placed, while ensuring that the schedule runs to time. The number of promotions in between programmes will depend upon the length of the programme and the scheduled time for the next programme to appear.

  6. Why do we see the same trailers again and again?

    Our aim is to bring you the best programmes possible and we’re keen for viewers who come into the channel at different times of the day and night to know what we have available for them. Research also indicates that viewers need to see a trailer a number of times before they register with them. We work with audience feedback to identify key programmes that we think audiences would like and are careful not to over produce trailers in order to maximise what we spend on programming for the channels. That said, we do air a number of trailers to showcase the breadth of our output, so you should be seeing new things coming up, as well as trailers you’ve seen before.

  7. Why are programmes interrupted mid-sentence for breaks? Why are programmes being cut off before the end?

    When new channels launch, a large volume of programmes are delivered to play-out facilities. A small percentage had incorrect time-code references provided. All programmes are now being individually re-checked. We are rectifying this issue as quickly as possible and extend our sincere apologies to audiences for this inconvenience.

  8. Why are programmes interrupted abruptly for breaks? Why are there breaks in programmes not designed for them?

    Much of the content on BBC Worldwide’s Channels was originally made for the BBC or other broadcasters who do not carry commercial breaks in the UK and we therefore create these breaks for advertising purposes. We are doing some further work to see if, longer term, we can smooth the transitions into and out of programmes. We will always try to choose the best possible break points and follow the end of a programme part with a short item signalling the start of the break.

  9. Why is the EPG sometimes showing the wrong programme? Why are programmes shown not always the ones advertised?

    Unfortunately, there are times when a programme cannot be played due to either technical or scheduling issues. This is rare, but often very last-minute, which means there is little time to update the EPG. We will of course continue to make every effort to avoid any essential last-minute schedule changes and provide EPG updates in such circumstances.