BBC News 24

I also would have expected to have seen JT in the USA today, but he was presenting Live At Five from London. Of the other "main" presenters on the channel, the only ones missing today were Martin Stanford and Kay Burley - perhaps one (or both) of them are on their way to the US. That may explain the slightly unusual presenter schedule we saw today with Emma Crosby on air from 6am-1pm.

However, I think that BBC N24's coverage has been excellent, despite the lack of competition from Sky. Jon Sopel is once again showing himself to be a brilliant on-location anchor. ITV's coverage has also been great - they seem to always perform well in circumstances of natural disaster.

Could have been why Etchingham left her shift early, I suppose.

Much though I would credit the Beeb for (once) getting people out there ahead of the competition, I really am not a great fan of Jon Sopel. I always find him to be a bit of a wet flannel in the best of situations, more like Mopel.

I imagine Sky will by tomorrow be running around madly now they've seen that News 24 have someone there presenting. To be fair, if they get their top people out there by tomorrow morning then the viewers probably won't notice; any later and they'll look stupid.

Thing is are Sky newsreaders rehearsing for the relaunch which has delayed there dispatch? Surely Fox must be helping Sky out?

an instrumental bit of "F.E.A.R." by Ian Brown, wasn't it?

Cheers thegeek, I'll check it out. Thanks very much, you're a legend

Back on topic... It looks like an interesting day to come on News 24, they're going to be a male presenter down. Simon McCoy is doing breakfast, but he's been covering Matthew Amroliwala's shifts all week. Tim Willcox is covering for Jon Sopel who's gone out to the disaster area, and Julian Worricker is apparently in Sri Lanka for Radio 5, unless he's returned. So the afternoon slot needs filling by someone...

I would imagine so. I think they've been practising for a while now.

Interesting to see that CNN haven't even sent Aaron Brown out there. The US networks seem mostly to be relying on reporters rather than presenters, particularly now as it seems that most of the people are in Texas and the situation in the Superdome is calming a little.

It's long been know that the US news media are very 'north coasts heavy' in their coverage....tending to stay out of the deep south unless absolutely necessary.

The looting, shooting and explosions (being reported this morning) add a new dimension to the story, and I expect they may send more anchors down south, albeit reluctantly.

BBC News Special on BBC One and News 24 this afternoon about the Hurricane, presented by Jon Sopel in Mississippi.

When did Val Sanderson reappear?? Good to see her on N24 now.

She popped up a few times now, given the holiday season is upon us. She has appeared on Breakfast a few times.

Hmm - many would disagree with the latter part of that statement.

I've never liked Val Sanderson, she seems quite arogant and not very friendlyI've never liked Val Sanderson, she seems quite arrogant and unfriendly. Yes she smiles a lot when the need arises but I’ve often seen her start reading the top story after the TOTH headlines without any Good Morning, Good afternoon said. When interviewing guests again she seems to launches straight in again without any welcoming introduction, how rude! I think even her husband J Humphries with his formidable style still manages a little friendliness at the beginning of each interview.