University Challenge (BBC2, 8.30pm)
MANY new students expecting to head off to university in September will be wondering exactly what’s in store for them – hitting the bars and making new friends in freshers’ week while negotiating packed lecture halls or social distancing and online learning? At least one academic tradition isn’t changing as University Challenge is back for a new series. The opening match sees a team from the University of Glasgow (hurrah) take on Exeter for a place in the second round.
READ MORE: Brexit: Scottish Tories isolated as Holyrood fights power grab
Being Beethoven (BBC4, 9pm)
THE second chapter of the documentary chronicling the great composer’s life looks at how Beethoven returned to the town of Heiligenstadt. The music he produced during this period – from the earth-shattering Eroica through to Symphony No 7 – represent an extraordinary outpouring of creativity. But Beethoven’s personal life takes a rather different trajectory. His repeated attempts to find love with the same type of woman will result in his letter to the Immortal Beloved, whose identity remains a mystery to this day.
Paramedics: Britain’s Lifesavers (C4, 9pm)
FILMED back in April, when the Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak, this new series goes behind the scenes of the West Midlands Ambulance Service to find out how the crews, control room staff and managers coped with the biggest challenge they have ever faced.
To get a scale of just what they were dealing with, on its busiest day, the 111 call centre experienced a 300% increase in volume, with only 4% of calls answered.
READ MORE: 'Ridiculous': Sturgeon slams Sunak on Covid-19 and the union
Once Upon a Time in Iraq (BBC2, 9pm)
NEW series. Documentary examining the war and life under Isis. As war began, many Iraqis were hopeful. Ahmed Al Bashir, now a renowned comedian, remembers practising his English with US troops before the realities of occupation became clear. Waleed Neysif was 18 when George Bush gave Saddam Hussein just 48 hours to leave Iraq. He was, like many Iraqi teenagers at that time, infatuated by the West. But while many of his generation grew up enjoying songs by the Backstreet Boys, Waleed formed Iraq’s first heavy metal band.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article