UTV and BBC NI Celebrate first joint venture

As reported earlier this month for the first time ever Northern Ireland broadcasters UTV and BBC Northern Ireland have come together to produce and simulcast a live entertainment programme from Belfast.

The programme, The Magic Box, was aired to mark the conclusion of digital television switchover across the UK.

Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV said, “It was the end of the analogue TV era across the UK, so along with our colleagues in BBC NI we wanted to mark the occasion with something a little special for our viewers. This is the first time ever we have jointly produced and transmitted a programme and it was a real celebration of the best of TV from the past 60 years in Northern Ireland. The digital future offers even greater opportunities for content makers to promote our local culture and creativity.”

The special one hour programme entitled The Magic Box was presented by Eamonn Holmes and celebrated the contribution Northern Ireland TV broadcasters have played in entertaining and informing the audience with memorable people and events.

“Television remains an important part of everyday life. It reflects our triumphs and tragedies and brings us together for big community events. Some of what television can do now would have seemed impossible to its earliest pioneers. The small screen is still magical at its best and full of creative possibilities. Our joint programme with UTV was a celebration of our shared television and the beginning of a fully digital age.” adds Peter Johnston, Director, BBC NI.

UTV is the ITV broadcaster for Northern Ireland and has held its license since the late 1950s, BBC NI began broadcasting in the 1960s.

Pictured above are Peter Johnston, Director BBC Northern Ireland with Eamonn Holmes, Presenter of The Magic Box and Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV Television.