BBC News and BBC World to merge

[DTV]

This all sounds pretty sensible and hard to object to. It'll be a world news channel with opt-outs for UK viewers -- eg. for domestic breaking news, and also (some?) sports bulletins. Reading between the lines, I expect at least some of the UK breaking news will be handled by crossing to Five Live, with radio studios set up for TV. The upshot is less duplication of effort/resources across the BBC.

While there's talk of a new channel here, I think viewers will see much the same as what they do today -- with UK viewers getting more radio simulcasts. The bigger change looks to be structural/organisational (eg. the breaking news unit), with perhaps a greater focus on online delivery over linear TV.

In terms of how the consultations play out, it wouldn't surprise me if the end result is more London-based than proposed -- it's hardly popular from an industrial relations perspective to cut positions in the UK, only to hire more people in Washington. I can see that being a place to give ground, while the broad thrust of the changes is retained.

Yep, for all the catastrophising from some, the changes are not especially radical and much better for both sets of viewers than I had feared. BBC World News is basically staying as is, except being renamed BBC News with longer presenting shifts - including extended shifts from Washington and Singapore. I imagine it'll be London-based from morning (05:00 or 08:00) to Outside Source (which I suspect will remain due to the popularity of its relaunched format).

Though not initially, it sounds like the long-term plan for the UK version is to take televised radio simulcasts for many of the hours that are currently independent from BBC One and BBC World News. Nicky Campbell (09:00-11:00) is the starting point, but I suspect that other Radio 5 Live news-oriented shifts are contenders, as well as possibly the PM programme on Radio 4. I also imagine that the radio studios for these simulcasts will be done up in a similar manner to LBC's studios. There will also be the ability to opt-out for live events such as press conferences, speeches and parliament, which will be introduced by either a radio presenter or from a CSO studio.

[Steve in Pudsey]

There used to be a 5 Live multi camera feed online, did there facility is already there

[Renap]

Just seems a mess really. Can't they just do 30 minute UK shows in B when not in use? Rather than sudden breaking news updates from a CSO studio?

Much better than a seriously cut down channel which is mostly World. Might even help retain more than just five people especially if there's no vacancies yet for the nationals.

As for Singapore considering how many hours they've had do the show lately, not surprising they'd consider outsourcing. Is Washington more to do with the PBS deal?

If rolling news is going to decrease, it's just going to give an opportunity for other providers. Maybe Murdoch might want that format after all now if the BBC can't.

[Chud]

If there is going to be a UK feed and a cut away for breaking news then there’s someone going to be on stand by for this? The obvious question would be why can’t they have this person just doing the news channel.

[UTVLifer]

This all sounds pretty sensible and hard to object to. It'll be a world news channel with opt-outs for UK viewers -- eg. for domestic breaking news, and also (some?) sports bulletins. Reading between the lines, I expect at least some of the UK breaking news will be handled by crossing to Five Live, with radio studios set up for TV. The upshot is less duplication of effort/resources across the BBC.

While there's talk of a new channel here, I think viewers will see much the same as what they do today -- with UK viewers getting more radio simulcasts. The bigger change looks to be structural/organisational (eg. the breaking news unit), with perhaps a greater focus on online delivery over linear TV.

In terms of how the consultations play out, it wouldn't surprise me if the end result is more London-based than proposed -- it's hardly popular from an industrial relations perspective to cut positions in the UK, only to hire more people in Washington. I can see that being a place to give ground, while the broad thrust of the changes is retained.

Yep, for all the catastrophising from some, the changes are not especially radical and much better for both sets of viewers than I had feared. BBC World News is basically staying as is, except being renamed BBC News with longer presenting shifts - including extended shifts from Washington and Singapore. I imagine it'll be London-based from morning (05:00 or 08:00) to Outside Source (which I suspect will remain due to the popularity of its relaunched format).

Though not initially, it sounds like the long-term plan for the UK version is to take televised radio simulcasts for many of the hours that are currently independent from BBC One and BBC World News. Nicky Campbell (09:00-11:00) is the starting point, but I suspect that other Radio 5 Live news-oriented shifts are contenders, as well as possibly the PM programme on Radio 4. I also imagine that the radio studios for these simulcasts will be done up in a similar manner to LBC's studios. There will also be the ability to opt-out for live events such as press conferences, speeches and parliament, which will be introduced by either a radio presenter or from a CSO studio.

I pretty much agree with all of this.

I wouldn't be surprised if Singapore ends up with the brunt of the UK overnight shift, maybe up until when The Briefing used to air at 5am. It also makes sense to make more use out of the Washington set given it was refurbished almost 2 years ago now at great expense and is only now used for WNA now Beyond 100 Days has effectively become The Context just minus Katty (which I think will also be safe, though probably the last thing from London on weekdays before handing over to Washington > Singapore).

The WN branded shows (Impact, Global) are likely to be fine I think, though I wonder what all this means will mean for the business bulletins - which have been becoming increasing few and fair between in the last few years

[Brekkie]

Starting from scratch sounds even worse than what we all initially thought!

It's the only way to do it.  Merging the two doesn't work as we've highlighted so often, so starting a new channel with the brief to target both national and international audiences makes sense.

I've said for a while they should simulcast some radio content but I was thinking Today and PM, not a 5 Live Phone In.   

I guess this relaunch should be when news finally gets new visuals and the new news channel should get it's own studio.

[headliner101]

I'd rather the Channel was more News Channel-ish than World-ish.

I hate to introduce politics here but some cynics might suggest making News 24 more World-ish is partly an act of retribution by a Tory government for what *it thinks* as the BBC's historically pro-Labour or anti-Tory bias.  If the new channel is more World-ish by default, it means forcibly less time for MPs to inform viewers about their views.  The best bet will be Newsnight.

[neonemesis]

I'd rather the Channel was more News Channel-ish than World-ish.

I hate to introduce politics here but some cynics might suggest making News 24 more World-ish is partly an act of retribution by a Tory government for what *it thinks* as the BBC's historically pro-Labour or anti-Tory bias.  If the new channel is more World-ish by default, it means forcibly less time for MPs to inform viewers about their views.  The best bet will be Newsnight.

Cynics be cynics.

I think it's an act of common sense. More International content in the UK is of relevance to many. More UK content internationally is relevant to very few.

I think everyone, including the BBC would rather maintain two independent, fully staffed rolling TV news services - but we are where we are.

[Andrew]

5 UK presenters, so only on during 'daytime' in the UK.

Still doesn't make a blind bit of sense-you need more than 5 to run a news channel as far as i'm concerned.

Probably just means only 5 people who’s entire role is a BBC News ‘channel’ presenter

Many ITV regions for example only have 2 ‘presenters’, the two that appear at 6pm, but of course many more appear on screen, but they are basically reporters that also do presenting shifts.

To be honest it’s peak TVF to concentrate on the presenters rather than what the content will actually be

Next week’s news agenda - Every detail of the Tory party leadership race, the UK heatwave, the upcoming rail strikes, how much of that is of concern to world viewers?

[Omnipresent]

I wonder what this means for the nightly paper reviews given this rates quite well on the News Channel?

[DTV]

I wouldn't be surprised if Singapore ends up with the brunt of the UK overnight shift, maybe up until when The Briefing used to air at 5am. It also makes sense to make more use out of the Washington set given it was refurbished almost 2 years ago now at great expense and is only now used for WNA now Beyond 100 Days has effectively become The Context just minus Katty (which I think will also be safe, though probably the last thing from London on weekdays before handing over to Washington > Singapore).

The WN branded shows (Impact, Global) are likely to be fine I think, though I wonder what all this means will mean for the business bulletins - which have been becoming increasing few and fair between in the last few years

I suspect that what will happen with BBC World News is that you'll see the day split into about eight three-hour slots - with probably five coming from London and the other three split two/one between Washington and Singapore - I'd say two to Singapore, but they seem keen on a bit of investment in Washington.

This is how such slots were regarded in the old BBC World days (UK times):
0500-0800 - Europe Breakfast
0800-1100 - (Never really had a focus)
1100-1400 - US Breakfast/East Asia Evening
1400-1700 - South Asia Evening
1700-2000 - Europe Evening
2000-2300 - Europe Late/US Early Evening
2300-0200 - US Evening/East Asia Breakfast
0200-0500 - US Late/South Asia Breakfast

With regards to individual BBC World News programmes, I suspect something like the strands will stay, but may be rebranded - Outside Source and Focus on Africa are the only ones I really think of as safe (albeit for different reasons). Context is an interesting one. I wouldn't be particularly sad to see it axed, but could easily see it and Christian Fraser relocated to Washington. With business, it'll be sad to see it go, but I would not be surprised if World Business Report comes to an end - that has very much been the trajectory in the last decade. Though I suppose business could be taken over by the main presenters as per ABR and the morning quasi-WBRs.

[headliner101]

I wonder what this means for the nightly paper reviews given this rates quite well on the News Channel?

This tweet from Martine Croaxall says it all:




[font=Inter, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]https://twitter.com/MartineBBC/status/1547338415808593920?s=20&t=EM79a8MDGDuz830O5cUxXQ [/font]


Also worth noting she indicated in one of her responses that she is a union rep so that adds context to her tweets last night.  But she's right: that's it should be for the audience first and foremost.

[London Lite]

it'll be sad to see it go, but I would not be surprised if World Business Report comes to an end - that has very much been the trajectory in the last decade. Though I suppose business could be taken over by the main presenters as per ABR and the morning quasi-WBRs.

The London based presenter on World already presents WBR at 5.30, 6.30 (the first two branded as BBC News) and 7.45, alas why they have Sally Bundock or Victoria Fritz on from 5-7am and then returns for WBR at 7.45.

[DTV]

I've said for a while they should simulcast some radio content but I was thinking Today and PM, not a 5 Live Phone In.   

I guess this relaunch should be when news finally gets new visuals and the new news channel should get it's own studio.

I wouldn't be surprised if the phone-in element of Nicky Campbell is scaled back, with a greater rolling news focus as part of the new set-up. They won't want to be seen as going down the televised talk-in route as that would be too similar to commercial competitors on TV and visual radio.

For a studio, it's got to be E. If you had a choice of three basement studios and one with that backdrop, you'd be insane not to pick it. Either way, I imagine we'll be seeing decampments start in the Autumn. As none of the other studios are as big as B and there will be less new tech to test, I imagine the installation won't take as long.

[TheJarv]

Guardian Reporting Dateline London is to be axed, this must be one of the longest running programs on the News Channel?