Launching the BBC's revolutionary 24-hour news channel was "absolute chaos" according to one of its original presenters, who has lifted the lid on the turbulent beginnings of what would become a broadcasting institution.
Sarah McMullan, who fronted the channel's inaugural broadcast in 1997, described the launch day as being fraught with technical glitches and last-minute panics that nearly derailed the entire operation.
The Historic First Broadcast
"I presented the new 24-hour news channel and it was absolute chaos," McMullan revealed during a recent interview. The veteran journalist recalled how the team operated from a makeshift studio while their permanent home was still under construction, creating a perfect storm of production challenges.
Despite the behind-the-scenes turmoil, viewers saw a polished product that would forever change how Britons consumed news. The channel promised round-the-clock coverage at a time when most people still waited for scheduled bulletins.
Technical Nightmares and Studio Struggles
McMullan detailed numerous technical failures that plagued the early days. From autocue malfunctions to camera issues and sound problems, the team faced constant battles to keep the broadcast on air.
"We were making it up as we went along," she admitted, noting that the concept of 24-hour news was so novel that there was no existing blueprint to follow. The presenters and production team had to innovate solutions in real-time while maintaining professional composure on camera.
The Legacy of Broadcast Innovation
Despite the chaotic start, the channel pioneered formats and presentation styles that have since become standard across the news industry. McMullan's revelations provide a fascinating glimpse into the birth of modern rolling news coverage that now dominates television schedules.
The presenter reflected fondly on the experience, acknowledging that while the launch was messy, it represented a groundbreaking moment in British broadcasting history that paved the way for how news is delivered today.
