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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. An omnibus is sometimes referred to as a marathon in other countries.

Brookside was the first 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.

[edit] United Kingdom

Programs that are or have been transmitted in omnibus format in Britain include:

Television:

• Emmerdale (regionally until 2000, when aired on ITV2)
• Coronation Street (regionally until 2000, when aired on ITV2)
• EastEnders (1985-1994, 1994-present)
• Doctor Who (in the 1970s and 1980s)
• Hollyoaks (E4 & T4)
• Family Affairs (1997-2002)
• Brookside (1991-2003)
• Home and Away (1999-2000 on ITV2, 1996-2002 on UK Living, 2001-Present on Five)
• Neighbours (1993-2001 on UK Gold, 2008-present on Five)
• Knots Landing (1992-1999 on UK Gold)

Radio:

• The Archers

Omnibus is a four wheel public vehicle covered and with seats on roof as well as inside plying on fixed route and taking up and setting down passengers at fixed or at any points. in this vehicle conveying guests between hotel and railway station. vehicle provided by railway company for conveying party and luggage to or from station serving several objects at once, comprising several items at once.

[edit] Other countries

• The Bill (from 1987-1999 on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia)
• Shortland Street on TV2 (New Zealand)

[edit] Marathons

SoapNet in the United States also utilizes the omnibus format for weekend re-airings of their major soap operas; however the term used in that case is marathon (the more common term for omnibus used by North American broadcasters), and the network's dependence on weekend full-week replays of their series has waned as the network has begun to air original and other acquired programming

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