Tuesday 16 February 2016 was when the last official broadcast of BBC Three as an on-air channel as BBC decided with the ever-growing online digital culture, running BBC Three as a broadcast channel would no longer be ideal thus terminating it from being broadcast on our television sets and transferring all its content online.
Almost six years have elapsed since BBC Three's final televised broadcast and BBC kept true to their word by hosting all of BBC Three's output on the BBC iPlayer.
Almost six years have elapsed since BBC Three's final televised broadcast and BBC kept true to their word by hosting all of BBC Three's output on the BBC iPlayer.
During its orginal run, BBC Three was a fantastic platform showcasing some of BBC's much-loved comedies such as Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet of Crisps which arguably kickstarted Sheridan Smith's career. It kept other popular sitcoms such as Gavin And Stacey in the limelight with its continual repeats of the programme. In fact, Gavin And Stacey was the last ever show broadcast on BBC Three in its original run.
Back in the day, fans of EastEnders who missed the original showing of the evening's episode on BBC One could catch an encore presentation later that night at 22:00 on BBC Three. BBC Three was a huge champion of EastEnders as it showcased many behind-the-scenes interviews and documentaries after huge storylines came to a climax. More notibly, George Lamb presented EastEnders Live: The Aftermath immediately after the live episode marking EastEnders' 25th anniversary where it revealed Stacey Branning was the one who murdered Archie Mitchell.
Instead of starting at 19:00, in 2012, BBC Three began broadcasting, briefly, 24/7 for the Olympics which were being held in London acting as BBC's hub for the Summer Games showing many of the sports at that particular event.
BBC Three was a brilliant tool in BBC's inventory as it propelled many of BBC One's main programmes giving them more time to shine on the sister channel. Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who, The Murder Game and more all had a place on BBC Three which allowed viewers to delve deeper into their favourite BBC programmes.
BBC Three was a brilliant tool in BBC's inventory as it propelled many of BBC One's main programmes giving them more time to shine on the sister channel. Strictly Come Dancing, Doctor Who, The Murder Game and more all had a place on BBC Three which allowed viewers to delve deeper into their favourite BBC programmes.
The 'third' BBC channel gave Stacey Dooley a platform for her Investigates series which covered hard-hitting topics. It's debatable but it's fair to make the assumption that Stacey Dooley's career was also given the stepping stone to elevate her to superstardom in the journalism world.
In 2014, BBC announced BBC Three would be taken off-air but in November of 2021 they made a u-turn and decided BBC Three would return as a broadcast channel.
On the official BBC Three Twitter account, the Social Media team sent out a Tweet declaring when BBC Three's on-air relaunch would be happening and eager TV watchers won't have long to wait.
In 2014, BBC announced BBC Three would be taken off-air but in November of 2021 they made a u-turn and decided BBC Three would return as a broadcast channel.
On the official BBC Three Twitter account, the Social Media team sent out a Tweet declaring when BBC Three's on-air relaunch would be happening and eager TV watchers won't have long to wait.
TV, we're coming. □#BBCThree is coming to TV on February 1st. □ pic.twitter.com/o2U4Z5u82g
— BBC Three (@BBCThree) January 11, 2022
BBC Three is set to relaunch on television Tuesday 1 February 2022 with brand new imaging.
With BBC Three set to make an on-air reprisal, this opens the doors for new BBC comedies and dramas to be showcased which in turn opens more doors for up and coming creatives in the British performing arts industry to shine.
BBC Three will be available to watch on seven streaming platforms across the United Kingdom.
Here is how you tune in and be a part of the entertainment.
Here is how you tune in and be a part of the entertainment.
SKY TV:
Channel 141 (Scotland)
Channel 117 (England/Wales/Northern Ireland)
Channel 173 (London only)
Channel 141 (Scotland)
Channel 117 (England/Wales/Northern Ireland)
Channel 173 (London only)
SKY GLASS:
Channel 118 (Scotland/England/Northern Ireland)
Channel 119 (Wales)
Channel 118 (Scotland/England/Northern Ireland)
Channel 119 (Wales)
FREEVIEW:
Channel 23 (SD/Standard Definition)
Channel 109 (HD/High Definition)
Channel 23 (SD/Standard Definition)
Channel 109 (HD/High Definition)
YOUVIEW:
Channel 23 (SD/Standard Definition)
Channel 109 (HD/High Definition)
Channel 23 (SD/Standard Definition)
Channel 109 (HD/High Definition)
VIRGIN MEDIA:
Channel 157 (Scotland/Wales)
Channel 107 (England/Northern Ireland)
Channel 157 (Scotland/Wales)
Channel 107 (England/Northern Ireland)
FREESAT:
Channel 107
Channel 107
BBC Three gets going at 19:00 (GMT) tonight - Tuesday 1 February 2022 - with a big Launch Party simulcasted on BBC Radio 1.
Greg James and Clara Amfo are throwing a party because BBC Three is on TV - and they are on BBC Radio 1 at the same time!
Join them and the stars of Drag Race UK, The Rap Game and new drama Mood, and Big Zuu and Zara McDermott drop in too.
There is music from Danny Byrd x D Double E, PinkPantheress and Lecky, and if that was not enough, they have got some Innuendo Bingo with Radio 1 vetaran Scott Mills and his broadcast colleague Chris Stark.
Who knows, a Hollywood star might be popping by for a bar snack or two, too.
The fun starts soon so go put the kettle on and settle in.
Join them and the stars of Drag Race UK, The Rap Game and new drama Mood, and Big Zuu and Zara McDermott drop in too.
There is music from Danny Byrd x D Double E, PinkPantheress and Lecky, and if that was not enough, they have got some Innuendo Bingo with Radio 1 vetaran Scott Mills and his broadcast colleague Chris Stark.
Who knows, a Hollywood star might be popping by for a bar snack or two, too.
The fun starts soon so go put the kettle on and settle in.