Pre-Launch BBC News: Studio B Refit

[bkman1990]

That's good to hear. Is the size of the new set a bit similar like the BBC News studio at TVC or does it have a different layout?

Did you see the BBC News logo in it?

[Stanley Matravers]

I had a sneak preview of the new set recently and it's looking very nice. All I'll say is that it all looks very familiar, just in a different layout and a bigger scale.

I think it'll get a positive reaction even though its not very radical in terms of branding

It sounds like it will be such that most/all "non-geek" viewers will largely not notice the difference. Which is not a surprise, but is nevertheless a disappointment.

It's been pretty much "evolution not revolution" ever since the radical overhaul of autumn 1999. Most/all changes since then have arguably felt more "refresh" than "rebrand", especially to the casual viewer.

Yes, if you showed a casual viewer the 1999 Cream & China Red titles today, the difference from what we now have is obvious. But the real-time casual viewer perception over the last 23-ish years has probably barely registered each change when they happened.

The CGI newsroom backdrops used on the Barcos in N6 etc during the final TVC years were essentially a pre-emptive version of what the real newsroom view in NBH was anticipated to look like, effectively undermining the impact of the eventual building-move amongst casual viewers.

I would love to see something even halfway to being like the 1999 levels of overhaul again one day, but this seems about as likely as an Elvis Presley comeback tour.

[cybercd]

I think the casual audience will notice the difference. It's a much bigger space.

But as Inspector Sands says, don't expect much in the way of new branding. It'll look familiar but larger, and with some more modern tech.

[Jexedback]

The ‘old’ branding make it seem familiar, but it’s a big space, many presentation areas, cameras like you’ve never seen before and a nod to the newsroom in the middle!

[chris]

What’s the studio set to be used for? Just the network programmes? Feels like there’s a lot in there for what are quite standard bulletins.

[cityprod]

I had a sneak preview of the new set recently and it's looking very nice. All I'll say is that it all looks very familiar, just in a different layout and a bigger scale.

I think it'll get a positive reaction even though its not very radical in terms of branding

You gotta sneak preview?  The sneaks aren't gonna like that...

[MFTJA]

The ‘old’ branding make it seem familiar, but it’s a big space, many presentation areas, cameras like you’ve never seen before and a nod to the newsroom in the middle!

Wild guess, but could the ‘nod to the newsroom’ be the hanging (currently broken) led ring in the newsroom?

[Martin]

I’d say it was a step up from the led ring…. something more noticeable to your average viewer

[Worzel]

A scrolling ticker display showing the headlines would be my guess, probably wrong though!

I believe that's what the newsroom hoop was intended for anyway but the wrong one arrived?

[Stuart]

Despite being a 'Pres Geek', I'm somewhat concerned about the timing of the NBH-B refit.

Although I accept that from a technological point of view, some changes were required after 10 years, I don't think this will play well with those who relish in complaining about BBC expenditure. Many media outlets like nothing more than a bit of 'BBC Bashing'. You all know who I mean.

In the grand scheme of things, the cost is probably minimal regarding the overall BBC budget - but it's the optics for the public that will resonate the longest.

I'm sure it will look amazing on screen, as it's a large space. But I worry it will be overshadowed by controversy about perceived cost.

[Brekkie]

Despite being a 'Pres Geek', I'm somewhat concerned about the timing of the NBH-B refit.

Although I accept that from a technological point of view, some changes were required after 10 years, I don't think this will play well with those who relish in complaining about BBC expenditure. Many media outlets like nothing more than a bit of 'BBC Bashing'. You all know who I mean.

In the grand scheme of things, the cost is probably minimal regarding the overall BBC budget - but it's the optics for the public that will resonate the longest.

I'm sure it will look amazing on screen, as it's a large space. But I worry it will be overshadowed by controversy about perceived cost.

If not now though when?   And the current set is a decade old compared to them whilst in the noughties they went through three or four iterations of the set.

TBF there has been very little comment on the BBC wide rebrand from a cost perspective other than the initial mocking of the new logo being so similar to the old, which we were all doing here ourselves anyway.

I suspect less has been spent on this than what is spent on a single hour of flagship drama nowadays - and this will get used for an absolute minimum of 90 minutes every day for (probably too many) years ahead.

[CantGetIn]

It's a false economy to not upgrade, you just spend more money in the long run.

People that bash the BBC unreasonably are always going to do it. Sometimes there is reasonable criticism over the BBC wasting money, but this is not one of them and I think most people will see that.

[Stuart]

People that bash the BBC unreasonably are always going to do it. Sometimes there is reasonable criticism over the BBC wasting money, but this is not one of them and I think most people will see that.

I didn't suggest the overdue change was a waste of money, just that the timing is rather bad.

[Brekkie]

When is a good time though? I'd actually say thanks to our current Culture Secretary appreciation of the PSBs is the highest it has been for years at the moment, and thanks to their Ukraine coverage BBC News is probably viewed more favourably than it has for a bit.

[JK1985]

Is there a date for a launch of the newly refurbished and refitted Studio B for BBC News?