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40 Minutes

on BBC Two England

1986 Bafta Award Winner for Best Factual Series.
Countdown to Today
The inside story of the birth of a national newspaper, filmed with unique access over six months.
'The Daily Shah', they nicknamed it. It was to be
'the dream paper', glitteringly new. The very latest technology, a special agreement with just one union, brand new colour printing presses and an address far from Fleet Street.
The offices near Vauxhall
Bridge were dark and makeshift when 40 Minutes began filming last September. But Brian MacArthur ,
Editor-in-Chief, was already installed. So were Jonathan Holborow and Anthony Holden , newly-appointed Weekday and Weekend
Editors. Journalists were hurrying to ask for jobs. Computer experts looked knowledgeable. Pressures grew. Everyone smoked. Soon a name had to be chosen. 'Great British Daily'? 'The Trumpeter'? 'Morning Glory'? They settled on Today - always Eddie Shah 's favourite.
After the dramas and the dummy-runs, the real thing - launch-night. Will the computer system break down yet again? Will they get the paper to bed on time? Can
Eddie Shah keep it all under control?
Research PAT HOLLAND Photography
CHRIS SEAGER , ALEX HANSEN
Film editor RODERICK LONGHURST Producer RUTH JACKSON Editor EDWARD MIRZOEFF
* CEEFAX SUBTITLES

Contributors

Unknown:
Brian MacArthur
Unknown:
Jonathan Holborow
Unknown:
Anthony Holden
Unknown:
Eddie Shah
Unknown:
Eddie Shah
Unknown:
Holland Photography
Unknown:
Chris Seager
Unknown:
Alex Hansen
Editor:
Roderick Longhurst
Producer:
Ruth Jackson
Editor:
Edward Mirzoeff

BBC Two England

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