BBC News 24 - Strike, May 1998

The BBC was hit with a one day strike sometime in 1998, this meant that Live programming was rather scarce on this day. Breakfast News wasn't shown at all, it was replaced with News 24 and repeats of Call My Bluff. This clip shows News 24 later in the day, presented by Sian Williams, it was also simulcast on BBC World, hence why the TOTH is slightly different. The BBC didn't go on strike again until May 2005, when again there was no Breakfast and News 24 & World were simulcasting for the duration of the industrial action.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• BBCNews24
• BBCNews
• BBCTV
• 1998
• Strike

[BillStanley2008]

Was Sian Williams ever branded a kop out for not going on strike? Bit pathetic if the whole corp goes on striker and a small few bother to work , they seem rather lame.

[steviegTVreturns]

I think and correct me if I'm wrong at this time Sian Williams wasn't really on screen that much as she was a producer or editor for BBC News. It was like the 2005 Strike for the Regions, most Editors had to go on screen to present their bulletins.

[thibaulthalpern]

what are all those flags? I don't recognise where they're from.

[steviegTVreturns]

I think they were supposed to be Fictional, although I'm sure I've seen the Scotland flag on there...

[573W1E6R1FF1N]

Wasn't this clip removed from YouTube awhile ago?

[steviegTVreturns]

Nope, my account was removed, due to 3 copyright claims from ITV! Other than that the BBC don't mind...

[blackcoffeenosugar]

Glad to see you back, mate!

[zionravescene]

The old Flags music was badass.

[pancakeman22]

This is an excellent video!!!!!! You rock!!

[SPTSuperSprinter156]

@BillStanley2008

How is it lame working when everyone else is on strike? The strikers are the lame ones mate.

[catholicwood]

Sian Williams was an editor on BBC News 24 then, but she also quite often presented the news together with Gavin Estler in the afternoon prime-time. She was asked once to replace one of the potential presenters before the channel was launched, and she performed so well that she was offered also to present the news. At least that's what I read on Wikipedia.

[filmnet]

It was more like only the technicians and crew were on strike, and only those that were BECTU members. So it was hardly the "whole BBC" going on strike, just those with important "behind camera" jobs.

[Sierra1905]

why the hell did the BBC change their theme?

this was perfectly fine and it has a global theme to it too!

[daryl8000]

i love this music use 2 wake up @5am b4 school nd watch news 24 my how much its changed

[engnr1]

These were "generic" flag elements (stars, stripes, sun, various colors) which show up in various flags around the world. Kind of a "one world" spirit to it all. The globe theme which existed before and which came after in altered form (along with the famous music we know and love) seemed to represent a return to basics.