Launch BBC News: Studio B

[DTV]

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?

Studio E is on floor -1 and Studios A-D are on floor -3 (though B's height means it encompasses -2 as well - it even has its own viewing gallery!)

[valley]

What kind of camera model did they install in the towers? I assume they stuck with Sony if so what model? 

P50’s

Source

[headliner101]

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.

We can only hope with the impending transition to HD regional newscasts, the upgraded studios will look that part.  For me, the one pet peeve that I have is that the backdrop of the "sit down" position does have a "fake" feeling.

Perhaps studio B was also designed to accommodate election night coverage to save them money from renting out studio space from external providers. I think with just a few minor adjustments, the election night will bring out B's full potential.

[Markymark]

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

I thought that too. Quite amusing that right at the start of the programme they cut to a live shot of the Rwanda plane at Boscombe Down just at the point the camera operator decided to refocus ?

[Stuart]

Perhaps studio B was also designed to accommodate election night coverage to save them money from renting out studio space from external providers.  I think with just a few minor adjustments, the election night will bring out B's full potential.

In recent times election broadcasts have come from TC1, Elstree Studio D, or Studio B at NBH.

I'm not sure that any of those could realistically be described as "renting out from external providers" when they were all owned by either the BBC or their commercial arm BBC Studios.

[Steve Williams]

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.

No, but I assumed the question was whether it would be possible to move Newsnight into it should we have a scenario like two years ago when they need to consolidate their studio operations, rather than just because it's a nice studio. Obviously in that scenario it would need to move from 10.30 again.

In recent times election broadcasts have come from TC1, Elstree Studio D, or Studio B at NBH.



I'm not sure that any of those could realistically be described as "renting out from external providers" when they were all owned by either the BBC or their commercial arm BBC Studios.

As the press release suggested, though, they will be using the new studio for elections so there is presumably some cost saving in the fact it can be configured for that kind of thing very quickly, rather than having to go to the expense of creating a bespoke set or installing (and uninstalling) extra equipment.

[natashajacobs]

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.

No, but I assumed the question was whether it would be possible to move Newsnight into it should we have a scenario like two years ago when they need to consolidate their studio operations, rather than just because it's a nice studio. Obviously in that scenario it would need to move from 10.30 again.

Well quite, but that’s a given though.

[Brekkie]

Of course we're yet to see this studio used in a non-buletin form but it doesn't feel like other than around the desk they have the floorspace for the kind of round table debates that pre-covid at least were the norm on Newsnight. It would be awkward around the curved screen and not quite sure there is enough space by the vertical screen or touch screen. That said though Newsnight would make much better use of a studio like this than a standard bulletin.

Overall, think the new set is amazing. Love the regional ending. Would be great if all the regional studios could have the same look but would be near impossible due to the inconsistency of studio size across the regions.

Although of course the common look means unless you're paying attention means it looks like you're seeing the same image multiple times on the regional wall (we need to come up with a name for that!). It would have looked so much better in the days of distinct regional news.

I suspect the desk area will be the basis of most regional studios with probably a vertical plasma in the corner and then a big screen similar (but smaller) the touchscreen.

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.

The Ten was the exception on weekdays at least - the 1 and 6 have integrated the weather for decades, possibly since 1999 on the 6 at least, so the 10 is just joining them now. Not sure at weekends - think it varies across the bulletins whether ther regional news plays before or after the weather. The useful thing about it being after the regional news rather than integrated into the national news is it means the nations can drop it for a longer bulletin if required.

[Markymark]

Although of course the common look means unless you're paying attention means it looks like you're seeing the same image multiple times on the regional wall (we need to come up with a name for that!).  It would have looked so much better in the days of distinct regional news.

Umm    

[chris]

Of course we're yet to see this studio used in a non-buletin form but it doesn't feel like other than around the desk they have the floorspace for the kind of round table debates that pre-covid at least were the norm on Newsnight.    It would be awkward around the curved screen and not quite sure there is enough space by the vertical screen or touch screen.    That said though Newsnight would make much better use of a studio like this than a standard bulletin.

Overall, think the new set is amazing. Love the regional ending. Would be great if all the regional studios could have the same look but would be near impossible due to the inconsistency of studio size across the regions.

Although of course the common look means unless you're paying attention means it looks like you're seeing the same image multiple times on the regional wall (we need to come up with a name for that!).  It would have looked so much better in the days of distinct regional news.

I suspect the desk area will be the basis of most regional studios with probably a vertical plasma in the corner and then a big screen similar (but smaller) the touchscreen.

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.

The Ten was the exception on weekdays at least - the 1 and 6 have integrated the weather for decades, possibly since 1999 on the 6 at least, so the 10 is just joining them now.  Not sure at weekends - think it varies across the bulletins whether ther regional news plays before or after the weather.  The useful thing about it being after the regional news rather than integrated into the national news is it means the nations can drop it for a longer bulletin if required.

From memory, the 1 had integrated weather from the weather centre for many years. It wasn’t until the BARCOs arrived in 2006 that the presenter did the forecast from the studio.

[Steve in Pudsey]

If touchscreens added any real value to this kind of broadcasting, surely Weather would have been all over it? I could see them dragging stuff around to show how the picture changes like Sky do on the football, to get back some of the more tactile aspects they used to have with the magnets.

That they haven't suggests it's a gimmick that doesn't add anything

[Internationalman]

My personal opinion on this: I do not LIKE this new design.

I. ADORE. IT.

Pardon my English, but this may probably be one of the SEXIEST sets that any organization ever put out there. ITV News and Al Jazeera, EAT YOUR STUPID HEART OUT!

Very sorry about that noise (Don't be angry, Rob.). But seriously, this set looks drop dead GORGEOUS. It's so spacious, so welcoming, so very linked! Nice to see Hew walking around. This is why I believe the BBC is the absolute greatest when it comes to broadcasting. What a BEAUTIFUL design.

[Brekkie]

I think we should remember that whilst it's modern and fresh for BBC News in terms of global design it's still about a decade behind what others have been doing.

[headliner101]

I think we should remember that whilst it's modern and fresh for BBC News in terms of global design it's still about a decade behind what others have been doing.

It does remind me of CNN's Hudson yards sets, especially the ones used for Don Lemon Tonight and Outfront.  Also reminds me somewhat of CNNI's new London set.

---

The Ten was the exception on weekdays at least - the 1 and 6 have integrated the weather for decades, possibly since 1999 on the 6 at least, so the 10 is just joining them now.  Not sure at weekends - think it varies across the bulletins whether ther regional news plays before or after the weather.  The useful thing about it being after the regional news rather than integrated into the national news is it means the nations can drop it for a longer bulletin if required.

One thing I keep asking: why does News 24 and World like to go back to virtual screens when presenting the weather when we think they made progress by presenting it on an actual video wall?  For me, I think it is less time consuming to read stuff off an actual screen and see where they are pointing at.  Nationals do this so why can't the news channels do it more consistently?   

Also, one odd thing the 10 used to do was to return to recap the headlines, remind viewers of Newsnight, and sign off all after a brief check of regional news.  I think it ended in the late 2000s?

[Mouseboy33]

I really like this set. Its not perfect. Its bland in some areas and its certainly more evolution than something completely new. But its very very nice. I do think the cameras are strange. But I think the tech and tracks are interesting. According to Newscaststudio, it prevents them from having cords, as the power and video signals are sent thru the track. Thats pretty cool. For a tv studio, I'd still feel like i need to have an assurance that a camera wont glitch on me. because it lost power in the track or something...but its a good idea. The integrated track in the floor is such a better solution than the frankly scary look "Tube" rails and black pits and the perspex fencing they had on the other set.  That aways felt clunky to me.
I do like there is an expansive airy feeling to the set with the square corners instead of the tight curved walls. I would imagine after a while they wont have poor Huw running about as much or at least us seeing him do that. Anyway, the presentation points are very good. Most are lit well. The staircase and balcony, though not entirely needed, are a brilliant good design touch. So it dont think its necessary to have one standing on it or descending from its, its purely aesthetic. And I like it. (Looks like a very expensive design by the way, curved glass...whew).

Couple of little things I dont like. I know BBC/UK are big on "'ealth and safely" and I know they have a purpose, but eeek, those little ramps onto the risers. I dont like them. I wonder if there was a better solution. I think the balcony is great, makes the broadcast feel big and important. But only problem I have is how its lit or not lit as it were. It aint half spooky looking. I was looking at how  CNN 19Z is lit, its the Outfront and Don Lemon studio. They used textural down beams along the back wall with small pinpoints around the perimeter. Seems like the BBC always goes for a lighting soft scheme  that doesnt emphasis depth or textures. Must be a Clickspring thing.  Lastly, like some have said, Im also not a fan of the image on the screen behind the main presenter. That narrow box. I dont like it. Boy this set would great with some completely new graphics. One can hope.

Just for comparison, its a bit dark up there.



But overall a good evolution and expansion to its current set language.  And it should be nice to see on election coverage. And it was smart to install the touchscreen for such broadcasts, but probably not a good idea to use it if its not needed. Just looks stupid. So they should just save it for those occasions or maybe if there is breaking news and they drawn something on a map. But to do a powerpoint on regular broadcast. I'd leave it alone.

WELL DONE BBC.