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Now (television)
Encyclopedia
Now was a British television channel transmitted as part of the British Satellite Broadcasting
(BSB) service during 1990.
and various other lifestyle based channels. The channel was promoted under the slogan "The Channel For Living".
In November 1990, BSB merged with Sky
to form British Sky Broadcasting
(BSkyB). BSkyB decided to streamline the channels available on both services. The decision was taken to replace Now with Sky News
which Sky Television had broadcast on the Astra 1A
satellite.
Now ceased broadcasting on Saturday 1 December 1990 at 1am. The ending of Now was faded into the clock of Sky News and the newsreader welcomed those watching on the Marcopolo satellite. As there were still programmes yet to be shown on Now, BSkyB initially broadcast Arts programmes intended for "Now" on a weekend when Sky Arts opted out of the Sky News service on the Marcopolo satellite. Once all shows had been broadcast Sky Arts closed.
presenter Sir Robin Day
. The programme featured all of the week's political happenings and confrontations. Now focused heavily upon arts and broadcast a number of theatre and classical music performances during its short lived period on-air. Arts programming was prevalent in the schedule and featured most nights.
British Satellite Broadcasting
British Satellite Broadcasting was a British television company which provided direct broadcast satellite television services to the United Kingdom...
(BSB) service during 1990.
History
The Now channel was broadcast throughout BSB's short spell on air from March to December of 1990 on the Marcopolo satellites. The content of the channel was similar to that of modern-day channels, such as Living, UKTV StyleUKTV Style
Home is an interior home and garden-oriented lifestyle television channel broadcasting in the United Kingdom, as part of the UKTV network of channels. The channel originally launched on 1 November 1997 and relaunched in it's current format on 30 April 2009...
and various other lifestyle based channels. The channel was promoted under the slogan "The Channel For Living".
In November 1990, BSB merged with Sky
Sky Television plc
Sky Television plc was a public limited company which operated its four-channel satellite television service, launched by Rupert Murdoch's News International on 5 February 1989...
to form British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
(BSkyB). BSkyB decided to streamline the channels available on both services. The decision was taken to replace Now with Sky News
Sky News
Sky News is a 24-hour British and international satellite television news broadcaster with an emphasis on UK and international news stories.The service places emphasis on rolling news, including the latest breaking news. Sky News also hosts localised versions of the channel in Australia and in New...
which Sky Television had broadcast on the Astra 1A
Astra 1A
Astra 1A was the first satellite launched and operated by SES . During its early days, it was often referred to as the Astra Satellite, as SES only operated one satellite originally....
satellite.
Now ceased broadcasting on Saturday 1 December 1990 at 1am. The ending of Now was faded into the clock of Sky News and the newsreader welcomed those watching on the Marcopolo satellite. As there were still programmes yet to be shown on Now, BSkyB initially broadcast Arts programmes intended for "Now" on a weekend when Sky Arts opted out of the Sky News service on the Marcopolo satellite. Once all shows had been broadcast Sky Arts closed.
Programming
Now featured a mix of talk and chat shows, inspiring documentaries, news, current affairs and arts programming within its schedule. As with all of BSB's channels Now carried the compulsory BSB News segment. Some of Now's most memorable programming include "Now Sir Robin" fronted by ex-Question TimeQuestion Time
Question time in a parliament occurs when members of the parliament ask questions of government ministers , which they are obliged to answer. It usually occurs daily while parliament is sitting, though it can be cancelled in exceptional circumstances...
presenter Sir Robin Day
Robin Day
Sir Robin Day, OBE was a British political broadcaster and commentator. His obituary in the Guardian stated that "he was the most outstanding television journalist of his generation...
. The programme featured all of the week's political happenings and confrontations. Now focused heavily upon arts and broadcast a number of theatre and classical music performances during its short lived period on-air. Arts programming was prevalent in the schedule and featured most nights.