Pre-Launch BBC News: Studio B Refit

[Steve in Pudsey]

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.

The BBC Press Office is quite feisty these days in refuting this kind of nonsense; I don't think it would take much more than "This work allows us to run Studio B with fewer staff, saving money in the long run. Would you prefer us to have this studio full of expensive kit sitting around gathering dust because we can't afford to staff it?" to appease all but the most fair minded observer.

[Stuart]

The BBC Press Office is quite feisty these days in refuting this kind of nonsense; I don't think it would take much more than "This work allows us to run Studio B with fewer staff, saving money in the long run. Would you prefer us to have this studio full of expensive kit sitting around gathering dust because we can't afford to staff it?" to appease all but the most fair minded observer.

I'm not objecting to the refurbishment, I said that it's handing a gift to naysayers.

[Radio_man]

Did we get a glimpse of Studio B on the 6 last night? There was a brief talk over from George about Charles & Camilla visiting the BBC and he was talking over a clip of them in what looked like a shiny new revamped set with a desk I haven't seen before, which I assume is studio B. It's at 24:45 on iPlayer.

[mokked]

Did we get a glimpse of Studio B on the 6 last night? There was a brief talk over from George about Charles & Camilla visiting the BBC and he was talking over a clip of them in what looked like a shiny new revamped set with a desk I haven't seen before, which I assume is studio B. It's at 24:45 on iPlayer.

No unfortunately not, that's a non-English speaking broadcast studio

[Worzel]

Did we get a glimpse of Studio B on the 6 last night? There was a brief talk over from George about Charles & Camilla visiting the BBC and he was talking over a clip of them in what looked like a shiny new revamped set with a desk I haven't seen before, which I assume is studio B. It's at 24:45 on iPlayer.

No unfortunately not, that's a non-English speaking broadcast studio

Complete with old, old Gill Sans branding... still.

[Newsroom]

Not sure where to post this since the General BBC News thread was closed or whether it's been asked and answered anywhere else.

Any insiders know why the afternoon hours of the News Channel are coming from Studio A these past few days.

EDIT - In use for Election prep.

[Moz]

Central Square studio looking amazing at the start of tonight’s Wales Today. They’ve come a long way since the Barcos of TVC.

If Studio B is used like this it could be awesome.

[MFTJA]

Central Square studio looking amazing at the start of tonight’s Wales Today. They’ve come a long way since the Barcos of TVC.

If Studio B is used like this it could be awesome.

Wow. The TVC Barco sets have to be some of my least favourite news studios in the last 20 years, but here the BBC have demonstrated they can do a largely empty video wall set that actually looks good. Hoping B is something like this

[Moz]

Any news on this? I thought it was coming in May? Not much of May left now!

[Worzel]

Any news on this? I thought it was coming in May? Not much of May left now!

Pretty sure I saw something on Twitter that it was likely to be June now.

Edit: here it is...

https://twitter.com/cleanfeed_ttvr/statu...P7w4JfUM2Q

[deejay]

Not sure what their source is for that - as it’s for a high profile national bulletin, it’ll launch when it’s ready.

[Moz]

Not sure what their source is for that - as it’s for a high profile national bulletin, it’ll launch when it’s ready.

Which is...?

[MFTJA]

I really don’t think it makes sense launching a new studio and set with the old branding. Although I’d like to think they’ve created one that will work with the old and new, I hope we don’t see a repeat of the 2003 N6 fiasco. That set didn’t look amazing to begin with in the ‘Red & Cream’ era but after the switch to the ‘Clamshells’ less than an year later it just didn’t fit it at all.

[DTV]

I really don’t think it makes sense launching a new studio and set with the old branding. Although I’d like to think they’ve created one that will work with the old and new, I hope we don’t see a repeat of the 2003 N6 fiasco. That set didn’t look amazing to begin with in the ‘Red & Cream’ era but after the switch to the ‘Clamshells’ less than an year later it just didn’t fit it at all.

To be honest, I highly doubt that the set will have been designed with any particular branding in mind - current or new. The cream and red sets were the last ones that appeared to be designed with the rest of the branding in mind, it's just not something the BBC seem to bother with any more. Partially this as a consequence of favouring 'flexibility' so that sets can be used for multiple programmes, but even single-use sets like the 2003 News 24 set can hardly be said to have matched up with their respective branding.

[chris]

I don’t really understand this discussion. The BBC’s news sets have always focused heavily around the colour red, which is the branding. It’s no different to ITV News or Channel 4 News’ sets. You don’t want them to basically be a physical form of your titles.

The only time I thought it didn’t match was 2003 when the cream titles were still in use in a heavily red / silver set. Even the on-set screens used a completely different brand to the titles.