Omnibus (1967)
The BBC's celebrated arts documentary series, profiling the greatest creative minds across music, film, theatre, and the visual arts for over three decades.
Omnibus - Series Information
- Original Title: Omnibus
- First Air Year: 1967
- Last Air Year: 1999
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Documentary
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 60 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 36
- Number of Episodes: 718
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Networks: BBC One
- Production Companies: BBC
- Production Countries: United Kingdom
Omnibus - Plot
Omnibus was an arts-based BBC television documentary series, broadcast mainly on BBC1 in the United Kingdom. The programme was the successor to the long-running arts-based series 'Monitor'. It ran from 1967 until 2003, usually being transmitted on Sunday evenings. During its 35-year history, the programme won 12 Bafta awards. Among the series' best remembered documentaries are Cracked Actor, a profile of David Bowie, and Rene Magritte, a graduate film by David Wheatley, 'Madonna: Behind the American dream', a film produced by Nadia Hagger, and a profile of the British film director Ridley Scott. For a season in 1982, the series was in a magazine format presented by Barry Norman. The series was replaced by 'Imagine' hosted by Alan Yentob.
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Omnibus - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Peter Sallis
- Eleanor Bron
- John Gielgud
- Ralph Richardson
- Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
- André Previn
- Michael Hordern
- Ken Russell
- Eric Morecambe
- Ernie Wise
Writers
- Jonathan Miller
- M.R. James
Omnibus - FAQs
What is Omnibus about?
Omnibus was a BBC arts documentary series that explored the worlds of music, film, theatre, and visual arts. Over its 35-year run, it produced celebrated profiles of figures such as David Bowie, Ridley Scott, and René Magritte, earning a reputation as one of British television's most distinguished cultural programmes.
How many BAFTA awards did Omnibus win?
During its 35-year history, Omnibus won 12 BAFTA awards, cementing its status as one of the most acclaimed arts documentary series in British television history. Its consistent recognition reflected the programme's high production standards and cultural significance across multiple decades.
Where can you watch Omnibus online?
Streaming availability for Omnibus varies by region. You can check JustWatch for a full, up-to-date list of platforms currently offering the series. Some episodes have also surfaced on YouTube and the BBC Archive, making select instalments accessible to viewers interested in classic British arts television.
What series did Omnibus replace on the BBC?
Omnibus succeeded Monitor, the long-running BBC arts series that had established the format for in-depth cultural documentary programming. When Omnibus itself ended, it was replaced by Imagine, hosted by Alan Yentob, which continues the tradition of arts documentary broadcasting on the BBC.
Who are the main contributors featured in Omnibus?
Omnibus featured an extraordinary range of cultural figures, including actors Peter Sallis, Eleanor Bron, John Gielgud, and Ralph Richardson, alongside musicians André Previn, Eric Morecambe, Ernie Wise, and Roger Waters, as well as filmmaker Ken Russell and entertainer Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
How many seasons and episodes does Omnibus have?
Omnibus ran for 36 seasons and a total of 718 episodes across its broadcast life from 1967 to 1999. Season lengths varied considerably, ranging from as few as 7 episodes in some later seasons to as many as 38 episodes in its peak years during the 1970s.
What are the most famous Omnibus documentaries?
Among Omnibus's most celebrated films are Cracked Actor, a landmark profile of David Bowie filmed during his 1974 US tour, a documentary on surrealist painter René Magritte, a profile of director Ridley Scott, and Madonna: Behind the American Dream, produced by Nadia Hagger.
What genre is Omnibus and when did it first air?
Omnibus is a documentary series specialising in arts and culture coverage. It first aired in 1967 on BBC One, typically broadcast on Sunday evenings, and continued for over three decades as a cornerstone of British public broadcasting's commitment to arts programming.
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