Continuity announcers in the United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom, continuity announcers are people who are employed to introduce programmes on radio and television networks, to promote forthcoming programmes on the station, to cross-promote programmes on the broadcaster's other stations where applicable and, sometimes, to provide information relating to the programme just broadcast.

The six pre-digital terrestrial television channels in the UK (BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4, S4C and Channel 5) make use of continuity announcers, and for most of the time, continuity announcements are presented live. Continuity announcers can also be found on digital and satellite channels, but most of these channels make use of pre-recorded announcements.

BBC
The BBC mainly use live announcers on its flagship television channels BBC One and BBC Two, and mainly use pre-recorded announcements on its digital channels (apart from BBC News and BBC Parliament, which do not use announcers at all). Separate continuity for BBC One and BBC Two in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is provided by regional announcers who also double as transmission directors. BBC Wales announcers also direct Wales today news bulletins during breakfast, mid-afternoon and late night.

Presently, the only national radio station to use continuity announcers is BBC Radio 4, where many of the announcing staff also act as newsreaders and also introduce the station's Shipping Forecast. Until about 1990, BBC Radio 2 used continuity announcers (separate from newsreaders) for its weekend and evening output, but these have long disappeared. Similarly, BBC Radio 3 has downgraded the former role of its announcers in favour of a new style of presenter. Continuity announcers played a much heavier role on the pre-1967 home service, light programme and third programme (and other services on the last-named's frequency). Announcing staff for Radio Cymru, Radio Scotland, Radio Ulster and Radio Wales double as newsreaders and technical operators.

Continuity announcements for BBC television channels are broadcast from Red Bee Media in Ealing Cross, London, with regional continuity teams based in the regional broadcasting centres in Belfast, Cardiff and Glasgow providing links for the regional variations of BBC One and BBC Two. CBBC and CBeebies continuity now airs from studios at MediaCityUK in Salford Quays - up until September 2011, CBBC presentation was broadcast from a small studio in the East Tower of BBC Television Centre while CBeebies presentation was pre-recorded at Teddington Studios. The announcing team for BBC Radio 4 work from a suite of studios on the 7th floor of Broadcasting House in London.

Historically, BBC announcers mostly spoke with Received Pronunciation, but the range of accents heard has widened considerably in recent years, and the general tone has become more informal.

Early continuity
Andrew Martin, an expert from the BBC archives, described continuity announcements as "an essential part of television," which "actually tell us quite a lot about the style, the kind of attitudes of television in their particular era."

In-vision continuity announcers, who appeared on screen between programmes, were a staple part of television broadcasts from the very earliest days of television, because "there was a need for linking material between programmes just to kind of announce them." In the early days of television, it was almost like a variety bill in the theatre... [and when] an item would come on, somebody had to say what it was often listing an entire evening's up-coming programming in one link.

The early announcers became "celebrities in their own right," often receiving considerable amounts of fan mail, as they were among the most recognisable on-screen individuals, appearing every day, at the start of an era when television celebrity was really invented. Early in-vision announcers included Jasmine Bligh, Elizabeth Cowell and Leslie Mitchell, formerly a newsreel announcer who famously re-opened the television service in 1946. The early continuity announcers were auditioned, as "they had to look good but they also had to speak well", not solely because of the class divide, but because clear speaking was crucial to their role.

Later continuity
It is believed that in-vision continuity was last used during the peak viewing hours on BBC TV in the early 1960s, with a link into the Eurovision Song Contest 1963 the last-known example of the corporation's use of in-vision continuity (as well as existing out-of-vision continuity) across the national network.

Between the late 1960s and circa 1980, many of the BBC's English regions provided their own continuity on weekday evenings, including in-vision presentation - particularly at closedown. Regional in-vision continuity was still used by BBC South in Southampton, BBC Midlands in Birmingham and BBC North West in Manchester by the time English regional continuity was phased out. From 1998 to 2001, the Northern Ireland regional service on BBC Choice used in-vision continuity links.

Children's continuity
The presentation of children's programmes had in-vision continuity from its instigation until 1965. The best-known children's in-vision continuity face was that of schoolgirl Jennifer Gay, one of the Children's hour announcers, who introduced such favourites as Muffin the mule between 1949 and 1953.

In-vision continuity was re-introduced as part of Children's BBC/CBBC) on 9 September 1985. From then until 1994, this came from the main BBC1 continuity suite itself, referred to as "the broom cupboard" and introduced by various presenters including Andy Crane, Andi Peters and Phillip Schofield; Since then, it has come from larger, specialised studios. As of September 2011, presentation for both CBBC and CBeebies originates from the BBC's MediaCityUK studios in Salford Quays following the BBC children's department move from London.

Modern continuity
In February 2008, BBC Three introduced in-vision continuity links, in the form of live links with presenter Jose Vanders and recorded links with BBC Three viewers. For a time, the BBC Three website offered viewers the opportunity to record links for programmes. The live in-vision links were dropped after only a few months although live out-of-vision continuity during peak time returned in September 2011.

On 19 September 2008, the Scottish Gaelic-language digital channel BBC Alba launched with in-vision continuity from the channel's sole announcer, Fiona MacKenzie. A second in-vision announcer, Moira MacDonald, was appointed in July 2009. All continuity links are pre-recorded in Stornoway and transmitted from BBC Scotland's headquarters in Glasgow.

ITV
All announcements for ITV plc-owned stations on ITV and Channel Television, and for ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 come from the company's main transmission facilities at Technicolor in Chiswick, with separate teams of continuity announcers based at STV's headquarters in Pacific Quay, Glasgow and UTV's headquarters at Havelock House, Belfast.

Most announcements broadcast on ITV are conducted live, while overnight announcements and occasional regional continuity on ITV, and continuity for ITV2, ITV3 and ITV4 is often pre-recorded. All of ITV plc's announcers work on a freelance basis.

STV uses live continuity during the evening (between around 17:00 and 05:30) with daytime announcements pre-recorded by the duty prime time announcer during their shift. A separate team of out-of-vision announcers present the station's overnight strand, The nightshift live each night. STV-branded presentation is utilised throughout the station's broadcast hours with transmission manned by technical staff in Glasgow 24 hours a day.

UTV continuity is broadcast live during prime time, typically from 19:00 to 00:00. In-vision continuity links often feature during the evening. No daytime continuity is provided, except for emergency situations. Some of UTV's announcing staff also present late night and short news bulletins. Overnight, UTV transmission is handed over to ITV's overnight service.

The consolidation of ITV companies during the 1990s and 2000s led to the closure of transmission and continuity facilities at some ITV company studios:

In-vision continuity
The use of on screen continuity announcers was common on ITV when each region had a distinct identity and their own transmission and continuity facilities. During the 1980s and 1990s, many regional companies abandoned the use of in-vision continuity announcers:

The only ITV companies which have never used in-vision continuity are Carlton Television (London) and Westcountry Television, who both began broadcasting in January 1993.

Channel 4
Channel 4 employs continuity announcers on its network of stations; 4seven, Channel 4, E4, Film4 and More4. All announcements come from Red Bee Media in Ealing Cross, London. Since 2009, Red Bee have provided playout facilities for Channel 4. On 4seven, E4 and More4, announcements during evening primetime are now commonly broadcast live, with recorded announcements at other times; most announcements on Channel 4 are live. Announcements for 4Music programming, where used, are usually pre-recorded.

In-vision continuity
Channel 4 used links featuring the announcer on-screen for a brief period following its launch in 1982, mainly at closedown. The station briefly reprised the use of in-vision continuity links for a short period from 1996, used mainly in evening transmissions.

Current announcers
Channel 4
 * Kelsey Bennett (also E4)
 * Barra Fitzgibbon
 * Jeanna Gallagher (also Film4)
 * Tracey-Anne Griffiths
 * David MacLeod
 * Pete Nottage
 * Isla Paton
 * Gary Terzza (also More4)

E4 More4 Film4
 * Corrie Brown
 * Dominic O'Shea (also Channel 4 and Film4)
 * Beth Palmer
 * Amanda Carlton
 * Danny Cowan (also Channel 4 and E4)
 * Jeanna Gallagher (also Channel 4 and 4Seven)

Freelance announcers
 * Alex Harris Goldberg
 * Natalie Jaque
 * Helen Veysey
 * Lynsey Young

Former announcers

 * Edward Adoo
 * Ali Ballantyne
 * John Beesley
 * Marcus Bentley
 * Bill Bingham
 * Sean Bolger
 * Carol Bolt
 * Jon Briggs
 * Robin Brown
 * Martin Buchanan
 * Robin Burke
 * Syd Burke
 * Julia Cameron
 * Paul Coia
 * Jane Copland
 * Michelle Dunn
 * Ben Edwards
 * Vanessa Edwards
 * Sabrina Farley
 * Adrian Finighan
 * Arlene Fleming
 * Claire Gibb
 * Keith Harrison
 * Tony Hawkins
 * Olga Hubicka
 * Veronika Hyks
 * Tracy Ifeachor


 * Nigel Lambert
 * Sally Lawrence
 * John Leeson
 * John Livesey
 * Erica Longdon
 * Paula Middlehurst
 * David Miles
 * Ric Mills
 * Richard Mitchley
 * Kate Moon
 * Vuyiswa Ngqobougwana
 * Trevor Nicholls
 * Graham Rogers
 * Alison Rooper
 * Andrea Simmons
 * Kate Stephenson
 * David Stranks
 * Ian Swann
 * Linda (lu) Thomas
 * David Vickery
 * Paula Vinnick
 * Patrick Walker
 * Jane Watson
 * Martin Weedon
 * Soraya Willis
 * Hayden Wood

S4C
S4C announcers provide live out-of-vision continuity links from the channel's headquarters in Llanishen, Cardiff.

In-vision continuity
S4C used in-vision continuity throughout broadcast hours from launch in November 1982 until around 1991.

In-vision presentation continues to be utilised during S4C's children strands, Cyw (for young children) and Stwnsh (for older children). Stwnsh links are mostly conducted live whereas Cyw links are mostly pre-recorded. Characters and presenters from S4C's Cyw output occasionally appear as guest announcers.

Children's presentation is produced by the independent production company, Boomerang (Planed plant/Cyw in-vision links) and Cwmni da (Cyw).

Current announcers
S4C
 * Siân Bassett Roberts
 * Huw Charles
 * Rolant Prys Davies
 * Richard Elfyn
 * Alwyn Humphreys
 * Sara Hunter
 * Alun Ceri Jones
 * Liz Scourfield

Stwnsh
 * Lois Cernyw
 * Eleri Griffiths
 * Owain Gwynedd
 * Geraint Hardy
 * Anni Llyn
 * Tudur Phillips

Cyw
 * Gareth Delve (in-vision)
 * Leusa Mererid (out of vision)
 * Rachael Solomon (in-vision)

Former announcers
S4C
 * Alan ap Brinley
 * Gwenno ap Dafydd
 * Elan ap Robert
 * Nia Ceidiog
 * Glenda Clwyd
 * Dennis Francis
 * Rowenna Griffin
 * Heulwen Haf
 * Elinor John
 * John Jones
 * Robin Jones
 * Rowena Jones-Thomas
 * Siân Lloyd
 * Richard Mitchley
 * Garry Nicholas
 * Jenny Ogwen
 * Gwyn Parry
 * Juli Paschalis
 * Rolant Prys
 * Siân Reeves-Daleso
 * Siân Thomas
 * Margaret Williams

Planed plant
 * Rhydian Bowen Phillips
 * Elain Edwards
 * Sarra Elgan
 * Mari Grug
 * Lisa Gwilym
 * Branwen Gwyn
 * Alex Jones
 * Alun Williams

Planed plant bach (now Cyw)
 * Martyn Geraint
 * Lowri Williams

Channel 5
Channel 5 use announcers on its network of stations; 5*, 5USA and Channel 5. All announcements come from Channel 5's headquarters in London.

In-vision continuity
Channel 5 has only used on-screen announcers as part of its children's strand, Milkshake!.

Current announcers
Channel 5
 * Vicki Blight
 * Jenny Gannon
 * Andrea McDowell
 * Kelly-Anne Smith
 * David Wartnaby

Milkshake!
 * Olivia Birchenough
 * Kemi Majeks
 * Derek Moran
 * Jen Pringle
 * Amy Thompson

Former announcers
Channel 5
 * Glen Allen
 * Marcus Bentley
 * Trish Bertram
 * OJ Borg
 * Bill Buckley
 * Jim Colvin
 * Louise Crowley
 * Rachel Darcy
 * John Darvall
 * Andy Davies
 * Vanessa Edwards
 * Gema Ensenat
 * Pauline Eyre
 * Jane Farnham
 * Keeley-Jade Flanders
 * Gavin Inskip
 * Paul Jacobs
 * Adrian Lacey
 * John Last
 * Ted May
 * Stuart McWilliam
 * Dave Payne
 * Natasha Powell
 * Lucy Sassoon
 * Rosey Thewlis
 * David Vickery

Milkshake!
 * Lucy Alexander
 * Elizabeth Bower
 * Emilia Coxe
 * Philip Ercolano
 * Beth Evans
 * Ellie Harrison
 * Konnie Huq
 * Casey-Lee Jolleys
 * Eddie Matthews
 * Andrew McEwan
 * Kate McIntyre
 * Dave Payne
 * Lynne Thigpen
 * Chuck Thomas
 * Naomi Wilkinson
 * Hannah Williams

Sky1
Sky1 out-of-vision continuity is broadcast live in the evening with pre-recorded links broadcast during the day and overnight.

Current announcers

 * Katie Hudson
 * Kate Morton
 * Scott Turnull


 * David Wayne
 * Nessa Wrafter

Former announcers

 * Glen Allen
 * Faye Bamford
 * Philippa Collins
 * Paul Daniels
 * Bruce Hammal
 * Shaun Keavney


 * Michelle Lukes
 * Kelly-Anne Smith
 * Luke Smith
 * Claire Sturgess
 * David Wartnaby
 * Neil Williams

Sky Living
Sky Living out-of-vision continuity is pre-recorded.

Current announcers

 * Collette Collins


 * Dave Payne

Sky Movies
Sky Movies out-of-vision continuity is pre-recorded.

Current announcer

 * Claire Sturgess