BBC News - General

Err - might be worth reading a few threads before posting that observation. It has been discussed at GREAT length on this forum...

To be honest, noggin, I've been visiting TV Forum everyday and I still haven't got the foggiest idea about how News 24 is going to handle such an event. On last week's NewsWatch, viewers wrote in to complain about the BBC's handling of the UK earthquake - the answer was 'oh, it's because at that time News 24 simulcasts with BBC World' and the argument given was that going overboard on a minor earthquake would be disrespectful to those who survived the tsunami. I'm sorry, but that's unacceptable. British viewers who wanted to see coverage of the earthquake should not have been compromised because of viewers elsewhere in the world who don't even fund the BBC. Without the ability to split off from BBC World and now BBC One, News 24 viewers are being seriously let down. I know on two occasions last week I gave up with News 24 and turned to Sky News. I'm sure I'm not the only person in the country doing that.

AND THATS SAYING SOMETHING!

Maybe this is why they're not 'News channel of the year'? It is ludicrous that a 24 hour news channel can not cover an event because they are simulcasting another programme.

Totally agree.

A minor correction (that doesn't really affect the rest of your point): Overseas viewers do fund BBC World. A part of my cable bill goes to fund the two BBC services I get on cable, BBC World and BBC Prime. They are subscription services, after all, not PSBs. They also show advertising.

I have to agree. Having just watched Newswatch the excuse given was lame, to say the least. Whilst we don't pay for BBC World, we do pay for News 24, and that is the service supposedly provided - 24/7 (simulcasts are not a priority).

Mr Snoddy did not ask the right questions, or interrogate the response. Can we have a better presenter for this programme, otherwise it's pointless.

Exactly. One expects to have in depth and rolling coverage on big events from a 24 hour news channel yet at the moment this isn't the case with N24 being sidelined for these simulcasts. It really is a poor idea, especially without the ability to opt out.

That's true, but the channel at issue here is News 24, not World. By not covering the UK earthquake, the BBC were pandering to the global audience and letting down the domestic. My overall point is that the BBC is a British institution and should, at all times, give preference to UK viewers, not international. In an ideal world, News 24, World and BBC One would be separate all the time. Obviously, that can't happen financially. However, if placed in the position they were last week, I think the BBC should be more focussed on domestic viewers than global.

Your certainly not, i too tuned to Sky News for the Earthquake. It is getting a bit silly now how News 24 just can't be itself anymore. I have never liked Sky News but have found myself tuning in just to get some idea of whats going on as i get fed up with waiting for News 24 to report on it. It took News 24 no less than 30 minutes! to report the Earthquake, a breaking news event that half the country felt, but they gave it no mention what so ever until after BBC World had opted out at the half hour update junction. Sky News were on the case with this within 10 mins of it happening, they knew what the viewer was tuning in for. News 24 still went to recorded programme after breifly mentioning it and gave it all of 2 mins mention at the top of the next hour. Coupled with the fact News 24 now also broadcasts the national news bulletins it really is becoming a disjointed bodge job that is no longer feeling like a well oiled machine but more like something heading for the back seat. It's as if no one even bothers to make junctions into oddly timed bulletins neat. I know some people on here who work for the BBC will say how everyone is working hard just to make things work together but if it doesn't look good on screen for BBC One viewers AND News 24 viewers then whats the point. On TV, presentation is one of the most important factors! Let's just hope someone incharge at the BBC actually starts to listen to its audience before it really does become too late.

Absolutely right, David. I very much sympathise with those working at the BBC - I know they are trying their very best with few resources, tight deadlines and difficult working conditions. However, any viewer who isn't a member of TV Forum will have little or no knowledge of the internal changes happening at the BBC. As such, sloppy junctions, failed sequences and reports and failing to cover stories because of simulcast commitments will, to those viewers, be deemed as evidence of unprofessionalism from the BBC. As we all know, that is not the case at all but sadly, we don't make up the majority of the viewership. I know insiders here constantly tell us we're unusual but I have to be honest: the way these changes are playing out onscreen, I think even a chimpanzee would notice.

Oh please...

It was a minor earthquake - yes perhaps a bigger one than the UK normally gets, but none the less it did no real harm...

A few chimneys collapsed
A man broke his hip

Yes it should get coverage, but at 2 in the morning when they are simulcasting it doesn't need hours of coverage. It's not as if they have many on-scene correspondents at that time.

And actually I would find it deeply offensive if I was involved in the Tsunami and heard all the coverage over a minor earth quake.

If you want N24 to broadcast 24 hours a day - a complete waste of resource - then fine... but other parts of the beeb will loose out, such as News resources, documentaries and even other departments like drama or sport.

The majority of viewers watching at this time must be watching World - after all it was 2 in the morning here - some could argue there isn't even a need for a 24 hour news channel [though this isn't necessarily my view]