BBC teletext service, Ceefax, was introduced, created initially to provide subtitling, but developed into a news and information service. In 1978, BBC staff went on strike just before the Christmas of that year, thus blocking out the transmission of both channels and amalgamating all four radio stations into one. Since the deregulation of the UK television and radio market in the 1980s, the BBC has faced increased competition from the commercial sector (and from the advertiser-funded public service broadcaster Channel 4), especially on satellite television, cable television, and digital television services. In the late 1980s, the BBC began a process of
The Forum (BBC World Service) frequently entertaining and insightful. The 60 Second Idea and the discussion it produces is released as a podcast. The first episode of the show was broadcast on the BBC World Service 6 April 2008. It has been broadcast every week since then. The programme's presenter, who has been part of the show since its inception, is former BBC diplomatic correspondent Bridget Kendall. "The Forum" is broadcast through the BBC World Service and its international broadcasting partners. The show is also available online, to download and as a podcast. All previous shows are archived online. Previous guests include: The Forum (BBC