BBC Engineering Test Transmissions

[Paul Watkins]

Doing some research today.

Does anyone remember the 'engineering test' transmissions that were broadcast after close-down on BBC2 back in 1987/1988 at all?

If so, does anyone know what would have happened to the tapes as i believe there is some wiped material that was shown on them.

[Rob Moss]

What makes you believe they screened any now-wiped material, Paul..?

[Paul Watkins]

I know for definite they showed 'Showaddywaddy - Hey Rock'n'Roll from Top of the Pops on those tapes. Which is currently missing from the BBC archive

[Paul Watkins]

Further information is that these were test transmissions by the BBC for subscription tv testing using 'discret 12' mainly for medical programmes.

They were transmitted around Nov/Dec 1987.

[Richard Marple]

Did this eventually lead to BBC Select, which started in the early 1990s?

[Paul Watkins]

Apr 26, 2013 16:51:46 GMT Richard Marple said:

Did this eventually lead to BBC Select, which started in the early 1990s?

Yes

[Ray Langstone (was saintsray)]

There is very good evidence that some wiped TOTP were kept until 1978 before wiping (one 1974 show springs to mind)

Engineers did keep things that some of the 'higher' echelons of the BBC would have wiped (22/06/72 is one example via BBC Scotland - and then there's anything Bob Pratt kept, of course).

I still believe there are things tucked away on tapes from the past otherwise thought wiped. Stuck in the Middle With You....what about that? The fact that exists was not intentional!

Also, O/T a bit, part of a 1970 Disco 2 Survives via Bob Pratt. It's part of the Beatles film 'Let it Be'. Now, of course, this is not significantly rare in itself (Bob kept things because he liked them), but it is from Disco 2 as it has the words 'Disco 2' superimposed at one point.
Just saying.