Launch BBC News: Studio B

[Stanley Matravers]

I think it's much better having the UK national weather within the Ten *before* throwing to the regions. I always found it jarring having that one UK national element *after* the regional bulletin, especially as it meant two lots of weather (local, then national) immediately back-to-back.

Hopefully, this better running order will spread to all remaining network bulletins (including weekends & public holidays) in time, as and when they (presumably) also migrate to Studio B.

I also like the way that the presenter's closing blurb now includes a date-check, and also the use of the phrase "nations & regions" for the throw to the... erm... nations & regions.

[Axolotl]

I'm really liking the new set so far – it utilises the space far better than before, and is a real step up from the previous set up in Studio E. It also has so much more variety with the multiple presentation areas and screens – there is always a risk with a large studio of it seeming rather barren (The old TC7 for example, or even the new studio in Central Square), but the balance seems just right here, particularly with the portrait video walls which seem very European somehow.

I expect the touchscreen will quickly fall out of use barring special events like elections – it really breaks the flow of the report every time the presenter has to turn around and tap the screen. The newsroom backdrop is also a bit underwhelming, but all signs point to it being temporary until the new graphics package arrives.

All in all a sterling effort, and a great template to be replicated on a smaller scale for the other studios in Broadcasting House, and in the nations and regions.

[GraemeT]

Of the ‘red’ in the studio - how much of that is physical as opposed to lighting or graphics?

Ie could they do an orange Marr style or a moody news night in there?

[Rolling News]

Just stumbled across this when looking for some images of the very first newsroom set. 

How many sets has Huw launched in total? 

News Gets New Look 1999

1999, 2003, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2022 - I believe this is his 6th.

[natashajacobs]

Of the ‘red’ in the studio - how much of that is physical as opposed to lighting or graphics?

Ie could they do an orange Marr style or a moody news night in there?

Not newsnight as it’s on at the same time as the weather.

[nlondeix]

The handover to the nations and regions is just amazing. BBC Regional News avengers assemble.

I still think that the 10 and 6 should have a proper ending with music. It always felt quite abrupt this way.

[J102B]

Apologies if this has already been answered but does anyone know why the one o’clock news isn’t from studio B. Can’t seem to find a cast iron reason.

[Steve Williams]

Not newsnight as it’s on at the same time as the weather.

It is now, doesn't mean it always has to be.

Apologies if this has already been answered but does anyone know why the one o’clock news isn’t from studio B. Can’t seem to find a cast iron reason.

Because the One is produced by the News Channel, using the same production team and crew as the previous hour on the News Channel, and so comes from their studio. Whereas the Six and Ten are distinct programmes with their own bespoke production team.

[IanJRedman]

Apologies if this has already been answered but does anyone know why the one o’clock news isn’t from studio B. Can’t seem to find a cast iron reason.

The Six and Ten are produced by their own bespoke gallery crews. The One is produced by the News Channel team. It isn't practical for them to shift from Gallery E to B in only a few minutes, all while keeping the NC on air.

On a side note - does anyone know how many floors lower B is compared to E? E is already slightly below ground level - so B must be quite deep underground?

Edit - sorry - snap. Took too long typing.

[ginnyfan]

I think it's ok to keep News at 1 part of daytime News channel production. It's a daytime bulletin, when a lot of news is breaking, a lot is happening and the newsroom set is more appropriate. 6 and 10 can be more calm and specially produced.

[natashajacobs]

Not newsnight as it’s on at the same time as the weather.

It is now, doesn't mean it always has to be.

Apologies if this has already been answered but does anyone know why the one o’clock news isn’t from studio B. Can’t seem to find a cast iron reason.

Because the One is produced by the News Channel, using the same production team and crew as the previous hour on the News Channel, and so comes from their studio. Whereas the Six and Ten are distinct programmes with their own bespoke production team.

Doesn’t have to be, but considering they made a song and dance of moving it back to 22:30 I doubt they’ll be moving it any time soon. I personally don’t see what’s wrong with where they are now (studio) even though people on here hate it.

[IanJRedman]

Has anyone mentioned the haywire Newsnight camera on Huw's video wall at the end of the Ten? It was fun, but I'm not sure if it was entirely intentional

[rkolsen]

What kind of camera model did they install in the towers? I assume they stuck with Sony if so what model? Additionally what is powering the video walls - Vizrt still? I saw on the gallery view camera five the curved screen catwalk looked like it had its own dedicated AR engine.

[DTV]

The touch screen will prove useful eventually, when it actually has a necessary use. Elections data etc. For now, I kind of think it’s a bit “it’s there so we will use it”.

But the thing is that, even with the election touchscreens, the touchscreen element is redundant. For the touchscreen to have a purpose, what is on screen has to be genuinely interactive and in the hands of the presenter in that moment - ideally as part of some universal analytical software. But they never are - they are always a set of pre-programmed slides, with the touch essentially being nothing more than a clicker. Even though the election touchscreens make some nod to being part of some larger interactive architecture (side panels/buttons), which constituencies/councils come up is clearly decided by a graphics producer before each segment - it's not genuinely some interactive, election database.

And what's so odd about the unnecessary touchscreens is that is just a gimmick that can't be killed. It's been around in some form since the late-2000s. The BBC were definitely using one by the 2009 elections, but I think might have used one in the 2008 US elections. The graphics may have been more useful than Vine's idiotic VR segments, but the touchscreen element has never really added anything ever.

[natashajacobs]

It is now, doesn't mean it always has to be.


Because the One is produced by the News Channel, using the same production team and crew as the previous hour on the News Channel, and so comes from their studio. Whereas the Six and Ten are distinct programmes with their own bespoke production team.

Doesn’t have to be, but considering they made a song and dance of moving it back to 22:30 I doubt they’ll be moving it any time soon. I personally don’t see what’s wrong with where they are now (studio) even though people on here hate it.

I imagine they will be pre-rec ing the late London bulletin, due to the limited gallery cross over time, so that could open up the possibility. But again I don’t know why they would create extra hassle when they have a perfectly decent space as it is.