NI Broadcasting First Marks Digital Switchover

For the first time ever Northern Ireland broadcasters UTV and BBC Northern Ireland will jointly produce and simulcast a live entertainment programme from Belfast to mark the conclusion of digital television switchover across the UK.
The special one hour programme entitled The Magic Box will be presented by Eamonn Holmes and celebrate the contribution Northern Ireland TV broadcasters have played in entertaining and informing the audience with memorable people and events.
Peter Johnston, Director, BBC NI said: "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 is a celebration of our shared television and the beginning of a fully digital age. It’s a moment when we’ll be marking and making a little bit of television history."
Michael Wilson, Managing Director, UTV said: "It’s the end of the analogue TV era across the UK this month, 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 will be 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 Magic Box will be shown on BBC One NI and UTV at 10.35pm on Tuesday 23 October, 2012.
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