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BBC Nine O'Clock News Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: BBC Nine O'Clock News: A Historical Overview

Cheat Sheet:
BBC Nine O'Clock News: A Historical Overview Study Guide

Founding and Strategic Context

The BBC Nine O'Clock News served as the primary television news program for BBC News for over three decades.

Answer: True

Explanation: The BBC Nine O'Clock News held the position of the flagship television news program for BBC News for a duration exceeding thirty years.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News commenced its broadcast schedule on September 14, 1970.

Answer: True

Explanation: The program's initial broadcast occurred on September 14, 1970.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News replaced a program called 'Newsnight'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The BBC Nine O'Clock News replaced 'The Main News', not 'Newsnight'. 'Newsnight' is a separate current affairs program.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News was launched primarily to compete with ITN's 'News at Ten'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The program was introduced as a strategic response to ITN's launch of its own prominent evening news program, 'News at Ten'.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News was created by ITN.

Answer: False

Explanation: The program was created by BBC News, not ITN.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News originated from the United States.

Answer: False

Explanation: The program originated from the United Kingdom.

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What was the primary role of the BBC Nine O'Clock News?

Answer: The flagship television news program for BBC News.

Explanation: Its primary role was to serve as the flagship television news program for BBC News.

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On what date did the BBC Nine O'Clock News first air?

Answer: September 14, 1970

Explanation: The BBC Nine O'Clock News commenced its broadcast schedule on September 14, 1970.

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What was the strategic reason behind the BBC's decision to launch the Nine O'Clock News?

Answer: To counter the success of ITN's 'News at Ten'.

Explanation: The strategic reason for launching the Nine O'Clock News was to serve as a direct response to ITN's successful 'News at Ten' program.

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Programmatic Structure and Presentation

The BBC Nine O'Clock News was the first BBC news program to use a weather forecast as its closing sequence.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Nine O'Clock News was the first BBC news bulletin to feature a distinct closing set of music, differing from other bulletins that typically concluded with a weather forecast.

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A two-presenter format was consistently used throughout the entire run of the BBC Nine O'Clock News.

Answer: False

Explanation: The program featured two presenters concurrently only for a specific period, from November 13, 1972, through March 5, 1976.

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The set design of the Nine O'Clock News often featured plain blue backgrounds, similar to other BBC bulletins.

Answer: False

Explanation: The set design incorporated visual differences, such as a wooden effect in September 1981, contrasting with the plain blue backgrounds used for other BBC bulletins.

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Around the time of the 1988 revamp, the Nine O'Clock News typically ran for approximately 45 minutes.

Answer: False

Explanation: Around the time of the 1988 revamp, the program's typical running time was approximately 28 minutes, not 45 minutes.

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The Nine O'Clock News was primarily broadcast on BBC Two.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Nine O'Clock News was primarily broadcast on BBC One, not BBC Two.

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The standard running time for an episode of the BBC Nine O'Clock News was typically 30 minutes.

Answer: True

Explanation: The standard duration for a BBC Nine O'Clock News broadcast was typically 30 minutes.

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Which of the following was a unique feature of the BBC Nine O'Clock News's closing sequence?

Answer: It featured a distinct closing theme music.

Explanation: A unique feature was its distinct closing theme music, differentiating it from other BBC bulletins that commonly concluded with a weather forecast.

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For what period did the BBC Nine O'Clock News employ a two-presenter format?

Answer: From November 1972 to March 1976.

Explanation: The BBC Nine O'Clock News employed a two-presenter format concurrently from November 13, 1972, through March 5, 1976.

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How did the Nine O'Clock News set design differ from other BBC news bulletins around September 1981?

Answer: It incorporated a wooden effect.

Explanation: Around September 1981, the set design incorporated a wooden effect, which contrasted with the plain blue backgrounds typically used for other BBC news bulletins.

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Approximately how long was the Nine O'Clock News program around the time of the 1988 revamp?

Answer: 28 minutes

Explanation: Around the time of the 1988 revamp, the program's typical running time was approximately 28 minutes.

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On which BBC channel was the Nine O'Clock News primarily broadcast?

Answer: BBC One

Explanation: The Nine O'Clock News was primarily broadcast on BBC One.

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What was the typical duration of a BBC Nine O'Clock News broadcast?

Answer: 30 minutes

Explanation: The standard duration for a BBC Nine O'Clock News broadcast was typically 30 minutes.

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Evolution and Major Revamps

The transition from traditional newsreaders to journalists as presenters for the Nine O'Clock News began around 1981.

Answer: True

Explanation: The gradual transition from traditional newsreaders to journalists as presenters for the Nine O'Clock News commenced circa 1981.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News underwent only one major revamp during its history.

Answer: False

Explanation: The program underwent multiple major revamps throughout its history, notably in 1985 and 1988, contradicting the assertion of only one revamp.

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The May 10, 1999, relaunch unified the visual presentation and theme music across most BBC News programs.

Answer: True

Explanation: The major relaunch on May 10, 1999, indeed unified the theme music and studio set design across a range of BBC News programs.

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Following the May 1999 relaunch, the program was advertised as 'BBC News at Ten'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Following the May 1999 relaunch, the program was advertised as 'BBC News at Nine', not 'BBC News at Ten'.

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The program was known as 'BBC News at Nine' between 1999 and 2000.

Answer: True

Explanation: Between 1999 and 2000, coinciding with a major relaunch and presentation changes, the program was advertised and referred to as 'BBC News at Nine'.

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The BBC Nine O'Clock News underwent major revamps on which two dates?

Answer: September 2, 1985, and October 31, 1988

Explanation: The program underwent significant revamps on September 2, 1985, and October 31, 1988.

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What was unified across various BBC News programs during the May 10, 1999 relaunch?

Answer: Theme music and studio set.

Explanation: During the May 10, 1999 relaunch, the theme music and studio set were unified across various BBC News programs.

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Key Personnel and Presenters

Robert Dougall, Richard Baker, and Kenneth Kendall were among the initial presenters during the first week of the Nine O'Clock News.

Answer: True

Explanation: The inaugural week featured Robert Dougall, Richard Baker, and Kenneth Kendall as presenters.

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The first presenters of the Nine O'Clock News had no prior experience with BBC television news.

Answer: False

Explanation: The selection of the first presenters was notable as they had also been the presenters for the original BBC television news bulletins broadcast in 1955.

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Michael Buerk took over as the lead presenter immediately after John Humphrys and Julia Somerville departed.

Answer: False

Explanation: Michael Buerk did not immediately take over as lead presenter after John Humphrys and Julia Somerville departed; Martyn Lewis assumed that role.

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Peter Sissons presented the final broadcast of the BBC Nine O'Clock News from Jerusalem.

Answer: False

Explanation: Peter Sissons presented the final broadcast from London, while George Alagiah reported from Jerusalem.

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The caption for the 1985 image indicates that John Humphrys and Julia Somerville presented the bulletin design shown.

Answer: True

Explanation: The caption associated with the 1985 image confirms that John Humphrys and Julia Somerville presented the bulletin featuring that specific design.

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Michael Buerk, John Humphrys, and Sue Lawley are listed as notable presenters.

Answer: True

Explanation: Michael Buerk, John Humphrys, and Sue Lawley are indeed listed among the notable presenters of the Nine O'Clock News.

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Who were the presenters during the inaugural week of the Nine O'Clock News?

Answer: Robert Dougall, Richard Baker, and Kenneth Kendall

Explanation: The inaugural week featured Robert Dougall, Richard Baker, and Kenneth Kendall as presenters.

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Who became the lead presenter after John Humphrys and Julia Somerville moved on?

Answer: Martyn Lewis

Explanation: Following the departure of John Humphrys and Julia Somerville, Martyn Lewis assumed the role of lead presenter.

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Which of the following is listed as a notable presenter of the Nine O'Clock News?

Answer: Moira Stuart

Explanation: Moira Stuart is listed among the notable presenters of the Nine O'Clock News.

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Transition and Legacy

The final broadcast of the BBC Nine O'Clock News aired on October 13, 2000.

Answer: True

Explanation: The program concluded its run with its final broadcast on October 13, 2000.

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Following the BBC Nine O'Clock News, the program that took its place was initially named BBC News at Ten.

Answer: False

Explanation: Upon its conclusion, the program was succeeded by the 'BBC Ten O'Clock News', which was subsequently renamed 'BBC News at Ten'.

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In August 2000, the BBC Director-General announced plans to move the news bulletin to the 10 pm slot.

Answer: True

Explanation: In August 2000, the BBC Director-General announced plans to relocate the news bulletin to the 10 pm slot, with an initial target date of 2001.

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The move to the 10 pm slot was delayed due to the return of ITV News at Ten.

Answer: False

Explanation: The schedule change was moved forward to October 16, 2000, partly in response to the planned return of ITV News at Ten, rather than being delayed by it.

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Which program replaced the BBC Nine O'Clock News upon its conclusion?

Answer: BBC Ten O'Clock News

Explanation: Upon its conclusion, the BBC Nine O'Clock News was replaced by the 'BBC Ten O'Clock News'.

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Why was the planned move of the Nine O'Clock News to the 10 pm slot accelerated?

Answer: To avoid clashing with a new ITV program.

Explanation: The planned move to the 10 pm slot was accelerated, in part, to preemptively address the anticipated return of ITV's 'News at Ten'.

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Associated Media and References

The comedy program 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' aired on BBC One and was inspired by the news program.

Answer: False

Explanation: The comedy program 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' was inspired by the news program but aired on BBC Two, not BBC One.

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The 'Related' section suggests a connection between the Nine O'Clock News and the comedy show 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The inclusion of 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' in the related section suggests thematic or scheduling connections to this other BBC program.

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The 'External links' section provides a link to the official BBC Online page for the program.

Answer: True

Explanation: The external links section offers a direct link to the official BBC Online page dedicated to the BBC Nine O'Clock News program.

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The 'Portal:BBC' link directs users to information about ITN's news programs.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Portal:BBC' link directs users to information pertaining to the British Broadcasting Corporation itself, not ITN's news programs.

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The navbox at the bottom details BBC's radio services, news programs, and online platforms.

Answer: True

Explanation: The navbox provides an overview of BBC News's television channels, radio services, online platforms, various current and past news programs, and key staff members.

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What connection exists between the news program and the comedy show 'Not the Nine O'Clock News'?

Answer: The comedy show was inspired by the news program and aired on BBC Two.

Explanation: The comedy program 'Not the Nine O'Clock News' was inspired by the news program and was broadcast on BBC Two.

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What information does the 'Portal:BBC' link provide?

Answer: Broader context about the British Broadcasting Corporation.

Explanation: The 'Portal:BBC' link provides broader contextual information regarding the British Broadcasting Corporation.

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