UTV and BBC join forces for NI first

A one-hour special entitled The Magic Box will be presented by Eamonn Holmes and will mark a first for broadcasting in Northern Ireland.

The programme will celebrate the contribution made by local broadcasters in entertaining and informing the audience with memorable people and events.

"Television remains an important part of everyday life - it reflects our triumphs and tragedies and brings us together for big community events," BBC NI director Peter Johnston said.

"Some of what television can do now would have seemed impossible to its earliest pioneers. The small screen is still magical at its best and full of creative possibilities.

"Our joint programme with UTV is a celebration of our shared television and the beginning of a fully digital age. It's a moment when we'll be marking and making a little bit of television history."

UTV managing director Michael Wilson added: "It's the end of the analogue TV era across the UK this month, so - along with our colleagues in BBC NI - we wanted to mark the occasion with something a little special for our viewers.

"This is the first time we have ever jointly produced and transmitted a programme and it will be a real celebration of the best of TV from the past 60 years in Northern Ireland.

"The digital future offers even greater opportunities for content makers to promote our local culture and creativity."

The Magic Box will be shown on BBC One NI and UTV at 10.35pm on Tuesday 23 October, 2012.

For information on the digital switchover, check out our guide here.