Cue Dots

I can't remember an originating contractor ever playing out a standby to cover a breakdown/programme failure. Probably because of the very complicated contractual arrangements each individual contractor had - you might choose a standby to play out that had been shown an hour earlier somewhere, or something that had rights issues somewhere. Safer for each contractor to play their own standby. (Last minute programme changes were and are of course a different matter)

As far as I recall, 'Wheel of Fortune' came from STV via Thames.

Deejay is right, and at the BBC we still have standbys all over the place. Every programme being played out from a server is simultaneously being played out from another server, and sometimes late at night (when some crew go home) we have a VT running as third backup. For every live sports broadcast there are enough standbys to fill the entire event, and usually of mixed durations. Plus we have episodes of 'Coast' and other short programmes at every conceivable duration! (Did anyone spot the 'Coast' this afternoon when the Tennis finished early in BBC TWO?) Here in Glasgow we also have a filler "Blethering Scots" which is equally handy.

Yes, sometimes, but I was thinking mainly of an OB from a specific contractor, and filling from that contractor's pres dept, however Tony's response renders that thought irrelevant

Regional pres did get networked on occasion, Tony's infamous Christmas Eve stint for example.

Here's Phillip Elsmore popping up on YTV when a PPB failed to appear

Of course, the reason Philip Elsmore was heard on YTV was because Thames had 'gone dirty' (you know what I mean!) to provide the network with an announcement into the PPB. It was a 'presented feed' of sorts. Their breakdown apology was 'network safe' and some regions may have stuck with Thames rather than apologising themselves, as YTV did on this occasion - so it looked more messy than it needed to for YTV viewers.

When LWT were networking the Winter Olympics Ice Skating Finals in 1984 and a power failure at the venue delayed proceedings, they played out a Torville and Dean doco (made by Thames!) to the network, and Peter Lewis was heard across the network apologising/explaining and introducing the replacement programme. I seem to recall the event was substantially delayed, and ITV companies stayed on the air well past their normal bedtime to screen it (which caused some issues with the unions or IBA, I vaguely recall).

As for Tony Currie's impromptu carol singing one Christmas Eve when STV's (part?)networked service from Bridge of Allan failed - I'm inclined to believe that the tale of his local continuity/singing going out across the network is somewhat exaggerated. (*waits for Tony to angrily correct me*) Why would TSW/Ulster/Tyne Tees etc choose to show an (albeit very nice!) Scottish fellow sitting in front of a thistle (or other STV-backdrop) when Ian Stirling, Julian Simmons or Bill Steel were readily available to plug the gap themselves. There was also no real reason for the feed from STV to be dirty, although I've seen a glimpse of Central continuity where it shouldn't have been when they networked the Christmas Eve mass in 1990.

Tony has previously stated that it wasn't the full network, but he doesn't know which regions took it.

In the good old days when PPBs were simulcast on all three channels, and played out by the Beeb, the feed was doubly-dirty ! BBC Net 1, fed to Thames. You could see the BBC cue dot on ITV, and sometimes hear a clunk at the end when the BBC announcer opened their mic ready for the BBC only junction. I never caught it going wrong.

Central used to play out a trailer at 21:59 to network, oddly that was dirty once, watching on TVS there was a wipe out of it to Stuart White in the Central pres studio announcing NaT. TVS quickly dived in with their clock, (presumably just before BT would have line switched in ITN, and ITN's VT clock !)

Regarding that Tory PPB breakdown, at about 22'30" into this interview the VT operator involved explains what happened:
https://www.mixcloud.com/FridayAlternative/look-whos-talking-peter-dowsett-part-2/

Presumably the ones who weren't quick enough to opt out!

I would have thought that, generally, the appearance of anything presentation-related, branded with another company's logo would be pre-empted almost immediately. You see above how trigger-happy YTV was with Thames's (safe) covering of a breakdown.

Do you mean "took the STV programme" or "took Tony's carol singing", Steve?

I'm still very sceptical about Mr Currie being seen in other regions!!

This is the thread where Tony recounted the Christmas Eve story

http://www.tvforum.co.uk/tvhome/tony-currie-mccaulay-40457/

He specifically mentions that the reason they didn't just throw an apology slide up was that they didn't have a non STV branded one.

I'm sure I read a story that Thames (presumably) did cock it up once, and the BBC's announcement went out on ITV. The announcer, for a laugh, sent Thames an invoice... and they paid it.

I noticed Coast today too then Hairy Bikers (I wish they'd add some variety). When sport finishes early do you take continuity from Network or do your own thing in Glasgow?