BBC Unveils its Red-Button Interactive TV Schedule for Next Two Weeks

Submitted by tracyswedlow on October 4, 2009 - 11:34pm

The BBC announced last week the line-up of content that will be available through its red-button interactive TV service for the next two weeks and beyond:

From 6:00AM to 7:00PM, October 11th-16th, digital viewers will be able to press red to access a video-enabled quiz based on the CBeebies mathematics-themed show, "Numberjacks." The quiz presents viewers with 10 clips, each of which is followed by a question that they can answer by pressing either the red or the blue button. According to the BBC, the app will shortly be available for Freeview and Sky viewers from within the new CBeebies Red Button service that was profiled in an article published on itvt.com, August 31st. (Note: the "Numberjacks" red-button quiz will not be available on the UK's free-to-air digital satellite service, Freesat.)
From 9:00AM to 11:00AM on Saturday mornings, digital viewers can press red to watch a "visualization" of BBC Radio 5 Live's "The Danny Baker Show." The visualization app presents viewers with video of Baker as he hosts his show, as well as text messages and pictures sent in by other viewers; access to a range of informational content, including the weekend's soccer tables, fixture lists, information on upcoming commentaries, sports news, and details of upcoming red-button content; and a range of what the BBC calls "unexpected content," including "spoof fixtures and unique animations as Danny sets up audience head-to-heads on the phone." (Note: not available on Freesat.)
Through 6:00AM on October 6th, digital viewers can press red to access an interactive TV quiz based on the BBC-Open University science magazine series, "Bang Goes the Theory." According to the BBC, the quiz includes video clips and embedded questions featuring experiments from the show, and is hosted by the show's co-presenter, Dallas Campbell. (Note: not available on Freesat.)
From 9:00PM to 4:00AM daily, through October 30th, digital viewers can press red to access behind-the-scenes footage from the BBC Two satirical music series, "Never Mind the Buzzcocks." (Note: not available on Freesat.)
During the October 8th and 15th broadcasts of the BBC One political panel talk show, "Question Time," viewers will, as always, be able to view information on the show's panelists and discussion topics, as well as a selection of comments texted in by viewers, on Red Button page 155.
On weekdays, around the clock, digital viewers can press red to access Video Choice, a recently launched feature on the BBC News Multiscreen application. The feature consists of a two-minute package of highlights which is billed as showcasing the day's best picture stories, and which is put together by BBC News's On Demand team. On weekends, the daily highlights package is replaced by a topical video interview, entitled "Five Minutes with..." (Note: not available on Freesat or Freeview.)
A range of soccer-themed programming continues to be available through the red button: on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings, digital viewers can press red to access "Lawro's Friday Focus," a show in which commentator, Mark Lawrenson, shares his predictions for the weekend's games; from 2:30PM on Saturday afternoons, viewers can press red to access the soccer results show, "Final Score"; and on Sunday mornings until noon, viewers can press red to access the BBC One Football League round-up show, "The League Football."
On October 10th, starting at 2:45PM, digital viewers can press red to watch live coverage of Wales' Group 4 World Cup soccer qualifier against Finland; and on October 16th, starting at 7:15PM, viewers can press red to watch the World Cup qualifier between Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic.
Through October 10th, digital viewers can press red to watch live coverage of the Grand Prix Snooker, with a choice of tables.
In the run-up to the Brazilian Grand Prix, digital viewers will be able to press red to access coverage of all on-track sessions, including Friday and Saturday practice and qualifying sessions. They will also be able to access re-runs of classic Grands Prix. Then, during the race itself, they will be able to access a choice of three streams featuring split-screen in-car camera feeds, leaderboards and rolling highlights, with the option of listening to either network or BBC Radio 5 Live commentary. Finally, after the race has been run, digital viewers will be able to access a post-race analysis show, and, the BBC says, highlights will probably also be available the following day. (Note: red-button coverage of the Brazilian Grand Prix will be available October 14th-19th.)
From October 11th-13th, digital viewers will be able to press red to access coverage of Rugby League football on "The Super League Show."
On October 6th, starting at 7:00PM, digital viewers will be able to press red to access live coverage of the NBA basketball game between the Chicago Bulls and the Utah Jazz, complete with commentary from Radio 5 Live.
On October 15th and 16th, digital viewers will be able to press red to access live coverage and highlights from the Gymnastics World Championships. This coverage, and all the sports coverage listed above, is offered through the BBC Sport Multiscreen, a 24/7 red-button application that provides up to five screens of extra coverage as well as round-the-clock headlines.