The BBC says it suffered a technical system crash just seconds before its main 10.00pm bulletin on Tuesday night.
The director of the bulletin had to switch to a back-up system.
The mix-up led to bizarre scenes that saw a 'Breaking News' banner flash across the screen several times and footage of a coffin being carried by four men.
Anchor Huw Edwards was then seen sitting in the news studio, writing his notes in silence.
The confusion and disruption continued for almost four minutes on the BBC News Channel.
BBC One, which airs the broadcast simultaneously, cut away to a title card.
But even after the broadcast got underway, the headlines were separated by more 'Breaking News' banners, instead of the usual BBC stripe.
When the broadcast begun, Huw Edwards told viewers: "Good evening - a few technical problems tonight for which we apologise".
Paul Royall, an editor at BBC News, tweeted an explanation: "FYI technical system crash seconds before 10. Director had to switch to a back-up system ASAP. @huwbbc doing great job".
FYI technical system crash seconds before 10. Director had to switch to a back-up system ASAP. @huwbbc doing great job #BBCNewsTen
— Paul Royall (@paulroyall) June 20, 2017