Editing BBC Choice (section)

===Launch===
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When BBC Choice launched in 23 September 1998, no digital TV receivers were available to the general public as [[Sky UK|Sky Digital]] and [[ITV Digital|ONdigital]] had not yet launched. Instead, the launch programme was broadcast over the internet, with the first day's schedule including a ''[[Tomorrow's World]]'' guide to digital television and repeats of the very first episodes of ''[[EastEnders]]'' and ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]''.

The main format of the channel was a mix of BBC One and Two programming as well as original programming such as ''Backstage'', broadcast live each weeknight, which took viewers behind the scenes of different parts of the BBC. The channel also provided exclusive coverage of music festivals such as [[Glastonbury Festival|Glastonbury]] and extended live coverage of sport, for when either BBC One or Two have to end their coverage early or their schedules are unable to provide live sport action.

BBC Choice also introduced an innovative programme format known as 'Hotlink', which expanded on popular shows. Examples included ''[[Watchdog (TV programme)|Watchdog Extra]]'', where viewers could contact the show by phone or e-mail with either questions or feedback on the issues discussed. ''[[Crimewatch|Crimewatch Extra]]'' provided follow-up detail on the cases involved in the main programme, and ''Row Z'' was a football discussion forum that aired after ''[[Match of the Day]]'' finished on BBC One. The 'Hotlink' format has since been adopted by many other channels, particularly both [[ITV2]] and [[E4 (TV channel)|E4]].

BBC Choice initially broadcast from 5{{nbsp}}pm daily; this later switched to 7{{nbsp}}pm. The 7{{nbsp}}pm start carried over into its successor BBC Three.