Launch BBC News: Studio B

[Jon]

I guess if they wanted something of a similar scale for Breakfast it could be achieved by using a green screen studio. I think they could probably create something that looks identical with the tech BBC Sport already use in Salford.

[Robert Williams]

There is also no need for Huw walk about the studio, again distracting him while he makes sure not to trip on the tram tracks. It doesn't add anything to do that and if anything makes things look under-rehearsed.

I quite like the view of the regional newsrooms but think it would work better if they make less of a "point" of it. All it needs is for the presenter to say "now it's time to join the newsrooms across the UK", we don't need them to point out "look! a live feed! here they all are behind me, a marvel of modern broadcasting".

I have to agree - the whole closing section of the programme seem rather overwrought compared to what used to be a simple 'now the news where you are'.  What feels most awkward to me is the way the presenter begins delivering their closing remarks whilst striding across the studio from the desk to the catwalk screen.  Keep the gallery of regions, but it would be far better if the presenter had already made their way to the screen during the weather forecast.

[Ittr]

There is also no need for Huw walk about the studio, again distracting him while he makes sure not to trip on the tram tracks. It doesn't add anything to do that and if anything makes things look under-rehearsed.

I quite like the view of the regional newsrooms but think it would work better if they make less of a "point" of it. All it needs is for the presenter to say "now it's time to join the newsrooms across the UK", we don't need them to point out "look! a live feed! here they all are behind me, a marvel of modern broadcasting".

I have to agree - the whole closing section of the programme seem rather overwrought compared to what used to be a simple 'now the news where you are'.  What feels most awkward to me is the way the presenter begins delivering their closing remarks whilst striding across the studio from the desk to the catwalk screen.  Keep the gallery of regions, but it would be far better if the presenter had already made their way to the screen during the weather forecast.

I probably sound like a broken record here, but I've never been able to understand why the national bulletins can't have a proper close (with music and possibly set lights dimming?)

[CATV]

I thought the upstairs part was a screen but it looks like it’s all a print.

We all have to remember that this is just a stop gap till next year. The set might look a bit different once BBC News rebrands.

[Stuart]

TV generally seems to overuse 'Live' tags. It was fine in the 60s and 70s, when it was often genuinely an engineering marvel to see live images from a mountain top in Scotland, someone in New Zealand, or on the Moon. However today, come on. Even when they drag a studio camera 6ft the other side of the studio doors, up pops a 'LIVE' tag.

I can see my own front driveway in HD on my phone anywhere on this planet, it really isn't a big deal.

I remember an occassion when they splashed "LIVE BY SATELLITE FROM NEW YORK" on an interview during Wogan, of all things.

I also installed an HD security cam so I could watch my late dog at home from my mobile at work when she was very poorly. That proved to be very upsetting, but demonstrated that the technology is easily available these days.

[Matrix]

I have to agree - the whole closing section of the programme seem rather overwrought compared to what used to be a simple 'now the news where you are'.  What feels most awkward to me is the way the presenter begins delivering their closing remarks whilst striding across the studio from the desk to the catwalk screen.  Keep the gallery of regions, but it would be far better if the presenter had already made their way to the screen during the weather forecast.

I probably sound like a broken record here, but I've never been able to understand why the national bulletins can't have a proper close (with music and possibly set lights dimming?)

Simply put, because the audience assume that’s the end and switch over. 

In more nuanced speak, it’s about showing that the nations and regions are integral to the telling of today’s story (as I heard it recently described)

[Brekkie]

Simply put, because the audience assume that’s the end and switch over. 

Of course though that is absolute rubbish and the regional news usually outrated the national news anyway.   And now they stick a weather forecast before the end anyway and expect viewers to sit through that.

It doesn't need a long ending - just three or four pips is enough with a wide shot of the studio and an end to the need to have an awkward pause on the News Channel (and indeed on Breakfast at 8.59 when the NC opts out, often midway through an interview).

[bfgarmy]

There is also no need for Huw walk about the studio, again distracting him while he makes sure not to trip on the tram tracks. It doesn't add anything to do that and if anything makes things look under-rehearsed.

I quite like the view of the regional newsrooms but think it would work better if they make less of a "point" of it. All it needs is for the presenter to say "now it's time to join the newsrooms across the UK", we don't need them to point out "look! a live feed! here they all are behind me, a marvel of modern broadcasting".

I have to agree - the whole closing section of the programme seem rather overwrought compared to what used to be a simple 'now the news where you are'.  What feels most awkward to me is the way the presenter begins delivering their closing remarks whilst striding across the studio from the desk to the catwalk screen.  Keep the gallery of regions, but it would be far better if the presenter had already made their way to the screen during the weather forecast.

I imagine that much like the GMB ‘Ben introducing your regional news’ stuff this will be one of the first things to be quietly dropped

[Joe]

Simply put, because the audience assume that’s the end and switch over. 

Of course though that is absolute rubbish and the regional news usually outrated the national news anyway.   And now they stick a weather forecast before the end anyway and expect viewers to sit through that.

It doesn't need a long ending - just three or four pips is enough with a wide shot of the studio and an end to the need to have an awkward pause on the News Channel (and indeed on Breakfast at 8.59 when the NC opts out, often midway through an interview).

Just because you don’t like the result, doesn’t mean it’s rubbish. I suspect it’s backed up by research.

[natashajacobs]

I like the close, it’s very BBC. Needs tidying up mind. Either presenter is at the catwalk for it, or they put it on one of the screens by the desk. They could even do a wide shot with it on the portrait screen.

[harshy]

The new studio is glorious and befitting of the flagship studio for the national broadcaster. If anything it has been long overdue for the BBC to have a grand, confident studio for the flagship broadcast.

The presentation style however leaves a lot to be desired.

The touch screen is just such a dreadful gimmick for broadcast news. It distracts the presenter and makes them turn their back to us. And it adds literally nothing, when the gallery controls (or could control) the graphics anyway. It never worked well on Outside Source, so goodness knows why they've decided to make a feature of it on the Ten now. There is also no need for Huw walk about the studio, again distracting him while he makes sure not to trip on the tram tracks. It doesn't add anything to do that and if anything makes things look under-rehearsed.

I quite like the view of the regional newsrooms but think it would work better if they make less of a "point" of it. All it needs is for the presenter to say "now it's time to join the newsrooms across the UK", we don't need them to point out "look! a live feed! here they all are behind me, a marvel of modern broadcasting".

And if they're trying to attract younger audiences to a scheduled nightly newscast (ignoring all the industry projections and trajectories...) then making a huge song and dance about including the *weather forecast* in the bulletin is laughably tone-deaf. Who, under 35, is tuning in to the news at ten for their weather information, when it's on every smartphone in the world as a core feature?

One step forwards (studio), two steps back (presentation and content).

I don’t agree huw needs to get his steps in that's why he asked specifically to ensure this was the case.

[Steve in Pudsey]

And if they're trying to attract younger audiences to a scheduled nightly newscast (ignoring all the industry projections and trajectories...) then making a huge song and dance about including the *weather forecast* in the bulletin is laughably tone-deaf. Who, under 35, is tuning in to the news at ten for their weather information, when it's on every smartphone in the world as a core feature?

Anybody who values an accurate forecast with some input from experienced forecasters rather than just the uncorrected average of the various computer models.

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I remember an occassion when they splashed "LIVE BY SATELLITE FROM NEW YORK" on an interview during Wogan, of all things.

At that time it was pretty remarkable though

[southern_boy]

No Oxford-opt of South Today this evening, so the Southampton edition appeared twice in the nations/regions multiviewer.

[Andrew]

I like the close, it’s very BBC. Needs tidying up mind. Either presenter is at the catwalk for it, or they put it on one of the screens by the desk. They could even do a wide shot with it on the portrait screen.

I agree, Reeta looked very unsure of herself tonight as she delivered the closing remarks whilst making sure she didn’t trip up.

Although if she’d already made her way to the video wall during the weather, the “[Weather presenter] many thanks” wouldn’t work as they’d be about two miles apart

[scottishtv]

I like the close, it’s very BBC. Needs tidying up mind. Either presenter is at the catwalk for it, or they put it on one of the screens by the desk. They could even do a wide shot with it on the portrait screen.

I know the broadcast pros will have put a lot of thought into how to get the weather thank-you done, then get over to the screen, but I agree it's slightly awkward.  For what my opinion's worth, I don't think you need the presenter to walk over to the Nations and Regions giant zoom call. Couldn't they just stay at the desk and cut to the camera showing everyone ready for the meeting to start?  A bit like this, but without anyone standing there (and the regions on the screen):



The US networks love to use a camera filming a screen.

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PS - I love the new studio, so that's my only minor quibble. Unpopular opinion though - I really like E still. I know people think it's small and cramped but I think it's quite human-sized and was very welcome after the huge theatres of news (across all channels) of 10-15 years ago.