Omnibus (broadcast)
An omnibus (or omnibus edition) is a compilation of daily television or radio episodes that is re-broadcast during the following weekend. The term has been most frequently used in the United Kingdom, though it has also been used in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. An omnibus is similar to, but distinct from, what is called a marathon in other countries. In an omnibus, individual episodes are edited together into a single programme, whereas in a marathon the episodes are aired separately but in sequence.
Brookside was the first television soap to have what was called an omnibus edition, in 1991; it continued until the series ended in 2003. EastEnders introduced the equivalent of an omnibus edition starting in the 1980s, but the term "omnibus" was not used until the 1990s.
United Kingdom
Programs that are or have been transmitted in omnibus format in Britain include:
Television:
| Programme | Years | Channel(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Brookside | 1991–2003 | Channel 4 |
| Coronation Street | 2006–present | ITV2 |
| EastEnders | 1994–2015 2016-present | BBC One, W |
| Emmerdale | 2000-present 2004–present | ITV2, ITV3 |
| Hollyoaks | 1996–present, 2001–present | Channel 4 (part of T4), E4 |
| Home and Away | 1999–2000, 1999-2002, 2001–2005, 2006–present 2015 | ITV2, UK Living, Channel 5, 5* Viva (UK and Ireland) |
| Neighbours | 1993–2001, 2008–present, 2015 | UK Gold, 5*, Viva (UK and Ireland) |
Radio:
Internet:
- EastEnders: E20 (January 2010 on BBC Red Button and BBC iPlayer, April 2010–October 2011 on BBC Three)
Other countries
- The Bill (from 1987-1999 on ABC Television (Australia)
- Coronation Street on CBC Television (Canada)
- Shortland Street on TV2 (New Zealand)
- Isidingo on SABC3 (South Africa)
- Generations on SABC1 (South Africa)
United States
SoapNet in the United States also utilized the omnibus format for weekend re-airings of their major soap operas until its December 2013 demise; however the term used in that case is as a marathon (the more common term for omnibus used by North American broadcasters) as all of the five programmes aired by a soap per week were aired consecutively without editing them together. As all four current American soaps also carry their episodes either via Hulu or through network websites, omnibuses and marathons are no longer maintained.