Launch BBC News: Studio B

[Worzel]

Always wanted to do this. My thoughts!

[Rob]

I was impressed by the initial images I'd seen, but the full preview looks absolutely incredible.

Can't wait to see it all in action tonight.

[Brekkie]

I hope the opening shot here isn't where they "do the Huw" and start the bulletins as I think the backdrop behind the desk is probably the weakest element of the set. The actual "newsroom" looks good but like the ITV regional studios reducing the "view" to a narrow strip doesn't look that great.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-61785325

[chris]

I’ll withhold full judgement until I’ve seen it on air.

I do wonder if we will see fewer packages and more “in studio” explainers, considering the number of presentation areas. That ultimately would be cuts in the guise of investment, which is what I fear this may be.

[boddington]

If BBC London is coming from Studio B as well, how are they going to do the regional cutaways in the top-of-the-hour sequences at 6 and 10pm, and 6:15pm regional "coming later" sequences?

[DTV]

If BBC London is coming from Studio B as well, how are they going to do the regional cutaways in the top-of-the-hour sequences at 6 and 10pm, and 6:15pm regional "coming later" sequences?

Maybe we are going back to the Nationwide years with London being done by the network team? Seems unlikely, but wouldn't be surprised in the current BBC environment.

[Steve in Pudsey]

I wonder if there is (or will be) a virtual version so Studio A can deputise while B is used for Election rehearsals etc?

I'm interested to see how sharing with BBC London works. I wonder if saving a studio crew in D is part of the plan for how this saves money?

[Juicy Joe]

A touch screen is so dated. Is there nobody in the gallery to change the image?  Just give the presenter a clicker if they want to save on staff.

I'm not a fan of this, but I'll be lambasted in here for saying so.

I mean...by giving Huw a big fancy touchscreen, they've effectively put that chap from the gallery out of a job.  I mean, all their job consisted of was pushing a button to change the graphics. They must be devastated.

[Andrew]

I also wonder how London will be able to come from the same studio, on ITV they have the benefit of an ad break, in BBC One, the regional news starts straight away. There also has to be enough of a pause for the regions to opt out, they can’t just cut from Huw to the London presenter lurking in the sidelines instantly

[Steve in Pudsey]

If BBC London is coming from Studio B as well, how are they going to do the regional cutaways in the top-of-the-hour sequences at 6 and 10pm, and 6:15pm regional "coming later" sequences?

The same way the 8 used to work I imagine. Two outputs from the studio, one going to NC1 and the news channel (via different Viz engines) and one going to the London opt switch. Automation puts Sport onto the News Channel output and cuts to a camera pointing at the catwalk (etc) where the London presenter is ready to do their bit.

[Alexh2021]

BBC News article

Looks to me like the new set goes to at least one wall of the studio, which will be part of the reason it looks bigger. I assume part of the reason they can do this, aside from being a fixed-rig set, is that they no longer need to access the studio door to change furniture.

Those cameras are a monstrosity, though.

They look like Daleks

[Moz]

Looks to me like the new set goes to at least one wall of the studio, which will be part of the reason it looks bigger. I assume part of the reason they can do this, aside from being a fixed-rig set, is that they no longer need to access the studio door to change furniture.

Those cameras are a monstrosity, though.

They look like Daleks

Think the cameras give it a 2001 A Space Odyssey look to it together with the monolithic screens!!!

[mdta]

I have to wonder how much better this set would look without the stark white which is part of the current branding?

Will be interesting to see BBC London coming from it. I guess future regional studios will try to follow this trend.

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They look like Daleks

Think the cameras give it a 2001 A Space Odyssey look to it together with the monolithic screens!!!

They look neater on screen, and contain the AR Trackers, Autocue, Monitor image, and probably other elements all contained.

[Brekkie]

I wonder if there is (or will be) a virtual version so Studio A can deputise while B is used for Election rehearsals etc?

I'm interested to see how sharing with BBC London works. I wonder if saving a studio crew in D is part of the plan for how this saves money?

If anything it would make more sense for the news channel to use the national set for the back half hour of the bulletins and London to use Studio E, where they could prep whilst the network bulletins air at least. Suspect they'll hold off any move of BBC London a few weeks though to let the nationals bed in.

Wonder if this means the BBC News at 5 (if that still exists) will now remain in E?

[DeMarkay]

All I can say is that it’s gorgeous and I’m looking forward to seeing it on air tonight, and it’s great that BBC London gets a new home too!