BBC News and BBC World to merge

[chris]

My view, for what it's worth, is that if the BBC is producing a news channel, it should be focused towards its core licence fee paying viewers in the UK. An international news channel is something of a luxury, not a necessity. Yes, I do know all the reasons why BBC World's existence is good, but if they are cutting costs then the focus should be on providing the UK with the best possible output.

Also, I've never understood the notion that international viewers would be more interested in the political turmoil in Sri Lanka than the UK. Why? Why would viewers around the world not be interested in the UK? I'm in the UK and I'm interested to a degree in the news from Sri Lanka. Why, then, would someone outside the UK not be at least vaguely interested in the political turmoil in the UK last week?

I don't see what the problem is with creating a news channel that has the UK at its heart but also includes stories from the rest of the world if they are editorially relevant.

I’m not sure the political turmoil is the best example - it would have been a major story on World News regardless of simulcasts. 

The stories that will be more difficult to get right is a gas explosion in a British suburb. Who outside of the UK is interested in that? 

Having thought about this for a while, I disagree that domestic should be prioritised over international for the BBC’s news channel. In the age of mobile, linear rolling news is a dated concept, not a necessity. If World News is profitable, why not keep it that way and utilise its profits to improve domestic output online and on bulletins, which is where the majority of the audience is? BBC World News could still be broadcast in the UK, and would if anything improve the BBC’s offer.