BBC, ITV and Sky have today written to the leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties with a joint proposal for three live televised debates during the next general election campaign. The individual broadcasters would be responsible for producing and broadcasting one debate each between all three party leaders. Each of the three debates would be transmitted live by the originating broadcaster in peak time and made available to all other British broadcasters subsequently. The broadcasters have formed a joint team to discuss detailed plans with the political parties. Each of the broadcasters will seek to make suitable arrangements for ensuring due impartiality across the UK.
Has there been any poll asking what viewers think about this, as really I doubt if they do their own shows the BBC or ITV would get above average ratings. A simulcast might perform better, but obviously history shows the BBC would benefit most.
And with all this debate what is conveniently forgotten is such debates actually air on TV every week at midday on Wednesday.
And with all this debate what is conveniently forgotten is such debates actually air on TV every week at midday on Wednesday.
At Prime Minister's questions, the opposition (and Labour backbenchers half the time) ask questions which the Prime Minister answers. I don't know what on earth makes you think that equates to a debate. It's just a question and answer session - there's no discussion or argument, the questions are biased and nobody asks Cameron or Clegg anything.
I wonder who the panel would be in a simulcast? I guess it would be Adam Boulton (Sky), David Dimbleby (BBC) and Alastair Stewart (ITN)?
Or could it be Boulton, Robinson, Austin? Boulton, Marr, Etchingham?
Either way, Sky really only has one guy who is really up for it.
Unless they steer away from political staff and go for the grey haired approach (Thompson / Edwards / Stewart) or (Thompson / Dimbleby / Stewart).
Either way, I think it's a great idea. Not since the days of Robin Day and Sue Lawley disecting Maggie Thatcher have I ever seen another political interview in UK politics that got right down to the nerve.
The BBC also has Paxman, Wark and Sopel as other potential anchors. ITN is rather short of candidates.
Actually Brekkie, that's the trouble with ITN these days. There is actually no-one with incisive political gravitas and credibility. Alastair Stewart is the only one who musters any semblance of seniority. Mark Austin is great for anchoring on-location for wars and disasters. But I have never seen him doing an in-depth political interview.
IMO, with the election approaching (and quite a critical election it is too), I reckon it's one of the primary reasons that ITN has hauled Alastair away from London Tonight back onto mainline bulletins.
Hasn't Sir David Frost been mentioned? Obviously not tied to any of the three broadcasters currently, but maybe they will bring an 'outsider' in if they don't have someone suitable themselves?
I think the fact the 3 main broadcasters are now working together on this, rather than the unilateral approach previously adopted by Sky News, is likely to increase the pressure on Brown to finally agree to taking part, and hopefully brings us a step closer to a debate (or 3) actually happening.
Re presenters, I agree Boulton is pretty much a given for Sky, but would suggest Dimbleby is too, for the BBC. And given ITV has already confirmed Alastair Stewart as its main presenter for the election, he would seem the natural choice for them. I just wonder whether Julie Etchingham and Kay Burly might not have a role to play too, especially given the current debate about sex discrimination within television news presentation. I for one, would also like to see Jon Snow involved somehow.
Perhaps if the go-ahead is given for 3 separate debates and a panel format is chosen over solo anchors, the opportunity for other presenters to become involved could be opened up a bit more …
Sky are reporting that Gordon Brown has agreed to the televised debates. On a different note I am disappointed Sky teamed up with the other three stations. It would have been a major cu for Sky to have an exclusive debate on Sky news
I forgot about ITN's Jon Snow. Another obvious choice.
Yes, just heard on my local radio channel that the PM has agreed for the live debate, with David Cameron commenting about it. Great stuff!!! Can't wait. Let's hope it really is indeed live.
One caveat that may perhaps arise in the coming months - no studio audience?? Or perhaps just a small panel of six invitees in the same way that Nationwide used to do it.
There will be war between the 3 stations on who gets the first debate which inevitably will be the most watched and written about. Will ITV and Sky show ads?
I think for these debates the presenter will be to a certain extent only a moderator and won't engage in asking questions like in a normal interview. Jeremy Thompson for Sky News, he's allows things to happen (unlike Burley or Boulton), Emily Maitlis for the BBC and Mary Nightengale for ITV. There's no need for Paxman style presenters.
You just know if there's a female moderator, attention will focuse on what they wear and silly stuff like that.