BBC Two Northern Ireland


BBC Two Northern Ireland is a Northern Irish free-to-air television channel owned and operated by BBC Northern Ireland as a variation of the BBC Two network. It is broadcast via digital terrestrial transmitters and from the SES Astra 2E satellite at the 28.2° East orbital position.

Presentation

The channel was branded onscreen as 'BBC Two NI' from October 2006 until February 2007, though not referred to as such by continuity announcers. Unique idents for Northern Ireland featuring the robotic figure 2 were used during this time, showing the Giant's Causeway and the feature eating an Ulster Fry.

Programming

Unlike BBC Two in the rest of the UK, the channel broadcasts regular news and regional weather updates between programmes. Programmes on the service have included the following:
  • The Children's
  • First Stop
  • Hearts and Minds
  • The John Daly Show
  • BBC Sport NI at the Milk Cup
  • Sky High
  • Chasing the Dollar
  • ''Spotlight''

    Children's programmes

  • Sesame Tree
  • Pingu
  • What's New, Scooby-Doo?
  • Shaun the Sheep
  • Bernard
  • Brum
  • Teletubbies
  • Arthur
  • The Simpsons
  • Charlie and Lola
  • ''Barnaby Bear''

    Availability

BBC Two Northern Ireland can be seen on all television platforms on channel 2, or 102 in Northern Ireland, depending on the system and in other areas of the UK via satellite and on some other digital television platforms and in most areas of the Republic of Ireland on satellite, cable and some other digital television receivers. Programming shown on BBC Two Northern Ireland can be watched again across the UK after transmission on the BBC iPlayer service.
Until 28 October 2006, there were two separate services – 'BBC Two Northern Ireland"', an analogue-only service, referred to as "BBC Two", both in idents and continuity, and a digital-only opt-out, 'BBC Two NI', which carried extra regional programming and continuity between 6pm and midnight. This has all now ended and the two Northern Ireland services have been merged.