[jamiec21]

I think what he's saying though is that obviously there are limited channels on freeview and even though they show up as different channel numbers then they actually run off the same sort of thing, so effectively they can't both be on at the same time as there is not enough room on freeview until analogue is completely switched off

Yes. The BBC is committed to treating all standard TV channels equally on each platform, so every BBC channel you can get on Sky/Virgin (BBC1/HD, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC HD), you can get on Freeview. Because of limited capacity issues on Freeview, CBBC and BBC3 share the same channel stream (ie. when CBBC closes down at 7, BBC3 starts immediately after), with the same arrangement for CBeebies/BBC4. This is why BBC3 and 4 were launched as evening-only channels, and have stayed the same ever since. With the ever-increasing budget constraints at the BBC, it's debatable now as to whether they could extend BBC3/4s transmission hours, if and when the capacity was available on Freeview. The same Freeview capacity issues are also holding back launches of HD simulcast versions of BBC2, 3 and 4, and is also why the Red Button content on Freeview is so limited compared to Sky/Virgin.

[Boss1996]

What is the name of the clock you use on radio 1 and where can I buy it or could I buy it from you?

[swaddon1903]

I think what he's saying though is that obviously there are limited channels on freeview and even though they show up as different channel numbers then they actually run off the same sort of thing, so effectively they can't both be on at the same time as there is not enough room on freeview until analogue is completely switched off

Aye, that's what I meant.

[bmstinton93]

I think what he's saying though is that obviously there are limited channels on freeview and even though they show up as different channel numbers then they actually run off the same sort of thing, so effectively they can't both be on at the same time as there is not enough room on freeview until analogue is completely switched off

Yes. The BBC is committed to treating all standard TV channels equally on each platform, so every BBC channel you can get on Sky/Virgin (BBC1/HD, BBC2, BBC3, BBC4, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC HD), you can get on Freeview. Because of limited capacity issues on Freeview, CBBC and BBC3 share the same channel stream (ie. when CBBC closes down at 7, BBC3 starts immediately after), with the same arrangement for CBeebies/BBC4. This is why BBC3 and 4 were launched as evening-only channels, and have stayed the same ever since. With the ever-increasing budget constraints at the BBC, it's debatable now as to whether they could extend BBC3/4s transmission hours, if and when the capacity was available on Freeview. The same Freeview capacity issues are also holding back launches of HD simulcast versions of BBC2, 3 and 4, and is also why the Red Button content on Freeview is so limited compared to Sky/Virgin.

Same channel stream! That's the word i was looking for. If only i could have explained it better

[Aled]

Aled,

Do you think that your counting down during the last clip of this morning's big weekend ticket competition confused and distracted the lass who lost?

Don't get me wrong, I actually preferred that she lost, but I did think there was quite a kerfuffle going on during the last clip which didn't seem entirely fair to me.

No, I don't. She just didn't know Pixie Lott. The countdown started during the song not in the silence so it was clear what was going on. But then, that's the game. If the pressure gets greater in the last ten seconds that's the game.

There isn't a question of whether things were fair or not, as that's the game. The fairness comes from being transparent with both callers, and we were that. We even stated the possibility of that happening before the start of the game. It was just really upsetting that someone as lively and lovely as her did so well throughout the whole game but actually lost.

[Wykey]

Fair enough, I didn't hear the preamble to it - I had to 'dip' the radio for a bit - but I remember thinking that the 'minute to go' and then the countdown must have been distracting.

I could tell you were all gutted for her though

[Wykey]

Further to the announcement:

The live web-feed from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/ works fine.

The one from http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/bigweekend/ ... ntryhouse/ is the one that's down.

[northernsteve]

No, I don't. She just didn't know Pixie Lott. The countdown started during the song not in the silence so it was clear what was going on. But then, that's the game. If the pressure gets greater in the last ten seconds that's the game.

As a matter of interest, do you do any testing with the music clips that are chosen for games like this to see how recognisable they are when played down a mobile phone, which is compressed to buggery? Not disputing what you said about it being fair, but identifying the songs down a poor quality phone line can't be easy, and the countdown being shouted over the top of it can't have made that any easier.

[biggspuds]

aled i have to say the red button coverage of R1BW was pants this year. i missed moyles v westwood so i have just been on th R1BW site!
only to find a edited video just 9 mins long, why is that?

[bmstinton93]

I think you'll find the coverage this year was a hell of a lot better than last years.

And Aled, I have a question. I don't get why you and the team wear headphones during the show? Originally I always thought it was to hear the music, jingles and beds but after watching Friday's show you were all singing along to Mcfly without them on.

[wireman2004]

ben. I've been in my local radio station and i know from my experience that the music is played out. And is just the jingles and effects that are in the head phones
I don't know if that is anything like radio 1.

[northernsteve]

Usually the headphones can be switched between desk output, station output or off-air reception of the station. There is sometimes a facility to switch between pre and post processor as well, as the processor can add a delay which can be off-putting, especially for guests who aren't used to it. Desk output would generally only be used if you were pre-recording or rehearsing.

Radio desks have a feature that cuts the monitor speakers in the studio when any of the mic faders are opened, and the speakers would usually be the exact same feed as the headphones. But the headphones aren't just so you can hear the music, they help you to hear yourself so you don't shout and aren't off-mic. It's a bit like the difference between talking on a mobile where you can't hear yourself and you shout and talking on a landline phone where you do hear yourself so don't shout so much.

[biggspuds]

I think you'll find the coverage this year was a hell of a lot better than last years.

affraid not! eurovision, bs superbikes, plus other crap is all i seen. i seen vernon v tong but that was via my laptop.
an with my internet conection it was not great.

[bmstinton93]

Its on basically all day all this week and was on from 4 both days on the weekend

[Travis Bickle]

Aled, is there a particular reason why Chris is keeping the same contestants on CPC for so long? Does Chris just particularly like them or is there a chronic shortage of applicants? Or is the feature about to be dropped?

[Aled]

Aled, is there a particular reason why Chris is keeping the same contestants on CPC for so long? Does Chris just particularly like them or is there a chronic shortage of applicants? Or is the feature about to be dropped?

Chris and the team like them.

I hear your complaints but I don't feel they've crossed the line yet into being a negative on the show - this situation won't be there for much longer though.

[Wykey]

Aled, is there a particular reason why Chris is keeping the same contestants on CPC for so long? Does Chris just particularly like them or is there a chronic shortage of applicants? Or is the feature about to be dropped?

Chris and the team like them.

I hear your complaints but I don't feel they've crossed the line yet into being a negative on the show - this situation won't be there for much longer though.

They're definitely not a negative on the show yet.

[bmstinton93]

Aled, have you had any sort of involvement in next year's big weekend? If so, how come Sara Cox made the announcement rather than Chris? This is nothing against Sara as she is the 2nd best DJ on radio one but it just seems a bit odd as its being billed as Radio One's biggest event ever.


Also, is there a reason why it has been announced a year in advance?

[richbrown]

Aled, have you had any sort of involvement in next year's big weekend? If so, how come Sara Cox made the announcement rather than Chris? This is nothing against Sara as she is the 2nd best DJ on radio one but it just seems a bit odd as its being billed as Radio One's biggest event ever.


Also, is there a reason why it has been announced a year in advance?

I thought it was a separate event, in the run-up to the Olympics. I'm guessing it'll replace the Big Weekend for next year but was an Olympics thing and not part of the 'Big Weekend'.

[dreamer1978]

Radio 1 will hold the BBC's biggest ever free ticketed live music event, on Hackney Marshes on 23-24 June 2012, as part of the London 2012 Festival.

The event will feature six BBC stages, and 100,000 people will be able to attend.

The event will be broadcast on Radio 1, Radio 1Xtra, BBC Three, and there will be full coverage right here on bbc.co.uk/radio1

The first acts on the bill have already been announced. Locals Leona Lewis and Plan B will perform, and are also special ambassadors for the event. They join our other two event ambassadors 1Xtra's Trevor Nelson and Olympian Phillips Idowu, who were both born in Hackney.

Leona and Plan B will be joined by over 80 international and UK artists, bands and DJs making it the biggest multi-artist line up ever for Radio 1.

The six stages will include the Radio 1 Main Stage, the 1Xtra Arena, the In New Music We Trust Stage and the BBC Introducing Stage.

The massive event will replace Radio 1's annual Big Weekend festival in 2012 and, as with the Big Weekend, the majority of tickets will go to people living in Hackney and the surrounding boroughs.

We'll also be spending loads of time in the local area, working with schools, colleges and other organisations.

BBC Radio 1's Hackney Weekend 2012 is in partnership with Hackney Council, and will be the highlight of the London 2012 Festival, the UK wide cultural celebration from 21 June - 9 September 2012 which is the finale of the Cultural Olympiad.

There'll be loads more announcements between now and the event, and you'll be able to read about them right here on the Radio 1 website.

As you can see the bit i have put in bold is that this event will replace the Big Weekend in 2012. So, the next Big Weekend will be in 2013 and hopefully then it will be somewhere other than England either back up to Scotland or they could take it to Northern Ireland that year.

The reason i think it was Sara and Trevor is that Trevors 1xtra show doesn't start till 10am. So, that is when Sara was filling in for Fearne so it just coninsided that she was there for the announcement.

[Aled]

Aled, have you had any sort of involvement in next year's big weekend? If so, how come Sara Cox made the announcement rather than Chris? This is nothing against Sara as she is the 2nd best DJ on radio one but it just seems a bit odd as its being billed as Radio One's biggest event ever.


Also, is there a reason why it has been announced a year in advance?

Hmm, interesting. I didn't even question it and I'm afraid I don't know why it was announced a year in advance.

[bmstinton93]

Ok thanks for the answer anyway

[Aled]

Ok thanks for the answer anyway

Sorry. I'm better at questions that involve me or my job. Questions on behalf of Radio 1 should probably not come through me

[DevilsDuck]

Aled

How freaky is Chris with a moustache?

[Bas]

Aled, have you had any sort of involvement in next year's big weekend? If so, how come Sara Cox made the announcement rather than Chris? This is nothing against Sara as she is the 2nd best DJ on radio one but it just seems a bit odd as its being billed as Radio One's biggest event ever.


Also, is there a reason why it has been announced a year in advance?

Hmm, interesting. I didn't even question it and I'm afraid I don't know why it was announced a year in advance.

I'd say being that close both physically & timewise to the Olympics themselves that due to security considerations everything must be sorted out as far in advance as possible. I wouldn't think many of the decisions would be in Radio 1's hands to be honest.