CNN International & Domestic

Connect the World was quite good leading on Brexit today.

Was that the second hour? I saw the first few minutes of the 3pm hour and that started with US vaccine and death news, etc.

Indeed they have those swanky new studios but you barely see them on screen these days. We only got to see really for those 2 or 3 weeks before the International stuff went 'part-time' once lockdown started and the pre-lockdown output hasn't really returned since. You do have to imagine it's a deliberate, concious choice to continue largely with the Domestic output.

The new London studios looked spectacular whether it was for Hala's show, Newsroom, The Brief or Your World Today.
Other channels seem to have broadcast roughly from their usual news studios (even if sometimes slightly different to normal) and there's certainly no lack of presentation points - by the newswall, at the desk (which is massive enough for easy social distancing) either facing the newswall or the big screen or what Bianca Nobilo dubbed the 'I'm flying Jack' position upstairs.

Max Foster is sitting in for Becky from the new London studio today.

But why have they chosen to reopen the studio at this particular time, when the situation in the UK is looking increasingly worrying? Is it because they have had months to rehearse for COVID contingency plans in their office?

Connect The World is coming from London today with Max Foster so at least we get some extra use of the excellent looking London studio out.

EDIT: Posted above. At least I haven't seen any frequently dominated US led stories so far.

Indeed seems odd that now when the COVID situation in London is the worst it has been in months is the time they’ve chosen to open up the London studio especially given several of the London anchors have WFH set ups.
Pleased to see the London studio nevertheless though.

Watching the bulletin now and it feels like CNNI of old. Lots of UK news, international news, almost nothing from US. What a pleasant change. Too bad it all ends at 18.00 CET.

If it wasn't such a busy news day for UK and Europe, no doubt it would have been full of US news and views.

I think the last time Max anchored a news bulletin was just before the pandemic, the first week of the new London set in March. Feels like ages ago.....

CTW looks stunning in London - shows the value of a good studio. The branding doesn’t particularly stand out in the minimalist, small Abu Dhabi studio but looks great here and has the look & feel of a flagship show

The show needs a fresh new music theme though. The current pop tune was never that good imo.

One suspects that may be fake news.