Editing BBC Knowledge (section)

==History==
===Background===
The BBC had been wanting to expand into the digital television market for a number of years, as their Director-General [[Sir John Birt]] said, "The BBC has always been a pioneer of technology".<ref name=bbcdigital>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/174535.stm|title=BBC unveils digital TV|date=21 September 1998|access-date=19 June 2016|work=BBC}}</ref> Originally this was by their association with Flextech, which spawned the [[UKTV]] network. Both companies had different ideas on how the new channels would be run: the BBC wanted the channels branded as BBC channels, but Flextech wanted the channels to contain advertising. The BBC refused, stating that no domestic BBC channel should carry advertising.

In the end a compromise was made: Two of the channels would launch as BBC channels: '''BBC Showcase''' (later became [[BBC Choice]]), and the then called '''BBC Learning''', with the remainder of the channels being launched as the UKTV network, intended to be BBC in all but name. Prior to the launch, the channel changed name from BBC Learning to BBC Knowledge.<ref name=bbcdigital/>

===Launch===
The channel launched on 1 June 1999,<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/355646.stm BBC launches digital learning channel] BBC News, 30 May 1999</ref> broadcasting for six hours each day. The new channel had plans to be a new, multimedia channel, operating across television, [[BBC Online|online]] and on [[BBC Red Button|interactive television]], and showing educational and informative programming. The channel's original schedule style was initially a 'bright and breezy' approach to education, aimed at both adults and children, with viewers encouraged to get involved and contribute to the programming. Original programmes included a [[General Certificate of Secondary Education|GCSE]] survival guide based upon the popular BBC series "[[BBC Bitesize|Bitesize]]", entitled "Bitesize Etc" and the technology series [[The Kit (BBC)|The Kit]], a technology and computing programme aimed at getting viewers online and embracing digital.

===Relaunch===
A few years into the channel's existence, it was becoming clear that the channel's original format was not working in its aim of interacting with viewers and making learning fun. The channel was receiving consistently poor ratings, and the BBC decided to relaunch the channel. The relaunched channel was given a new visual identity, and from 17 November 2001 became 24-hour channel, caused by the move of BBC Knowledge from the SDN to the BBC [[Multiplexing|multiplex]] on the DTT service. In addition to this, the format was changed to a serious, documentary channel with scheduling arranged into 'zones' depending on topics.<ref>[http://www.tvradiobits.co.uk/idents/bbcknowledge.htm BBC Knowledge 1999-2002]{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} TV & Radio Bits</ref><ref>[http://www.tvradiobits.co.uk/tellyyears/launchtv.htm#choice BBC Knowledge Launch Schedule]{{Dead link|date=December 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} TV & Radio Bits</ref>

===Closure===
{{Unreferenced section|date=December 2016}}
However, the real reason for the shift in programming was because the incumbent government delayed approving new BBC digital plans. BBC Three and Four were planned to have launched in 2001 but because of the plans being delayed, instead the BBC decided to relaunch the two channels in the meantime with the new programming. It had been planned since October 2000 that Knowledge would be replaced with BBC Four. Eventually the new digital plans were approved, in February 2002 the hours were cut back for [[CBeebies]] to launch the new channel. BBC Knowledge was closed down in the final hours of 2 March 2002, and BBC Four replaced it the next day.

BBC Knowledge from mid-2001 was essentially a test platform for the style of the new channel.