The BBC has many perfectly good newscasters, sure. But future stars with the gravitas to be their main face? Not so sure.
Although, is that not based on the shape of the bulletins at the moment? What’s to say people like Tina Daheley, Christian Fraser or Ros Atkins wouldn’t be the perfect fit?
Actually I take it back. Victoria Derbyshire. Probably one of the best and most human presenters there is right now, across all channels.
I think taking her out of the awful format of her usual show has proven she’s actually a very competent news presenter.
Bringing th conversation back to the BBC. I think one problem that could occur is that a lot of their current staff at similar ages. I've only included presenters who've made appearances on BBC One in recent months (Apologies if I've missed anyone)
A fair number of them are in their mid-late 50's, and will probably all retire at a similar time.
Was there anything in the press about Huw and Fiona being relatively young to be lead anchors in 1999? Just asking because noone I've listed is under 40, while Huw was 37 and Fiona 35 at the time of the relaunch. ALthough now I think about it, the likes of Jill Dando, Katie Derham and Dermot Murnaghan all made their national TV debuts in their late 20's-early 30's, so it's possibly again, a testament to the BBC having a strong group of talent over the last 20 years that fewer names have been appointed.
Quite interesting seeing those ages like that. Two things come to mind:
1. It's not surprising that BBC News doesn't do terribly well with the younger generation when the average age of its main news presenters is almost 53.
2. Interesting that the average age of the presenters listed is 57 for men and 51 for women. It shows they still have some way to go in terms of equality for female presenters. There is obviously still a preference for older men than women.
Bringing th conversation back to the BBC. I think one problem that could occur is that a lot of their current staff at similar ages. I've only included presenters who've made appearances on BBC One in recent months (Apologies if I've missed anyone)
A fair number of them are in their mid-late 50's, and will probably all retire at a similar time.
Was there anything in the press about Huw and Fiona being relatively young to be lead anchors in 1999? Just asking because noone I've listed is under 40, while Huw was 37 and Fiona 35 at the time of the relaunch. ALthough now I think about it, the likes of Jill Dando, Katie Derham and Dermot Murnaghan all made their national TV debuts in their late 20's-early 30's, so it's possibly again, a testament to the BBC having a strong group of talent over the last 20 years that fewer names have been appointed.
The previous problem with a lack of women aged 50+ has certainly been solved. In addition to the above you can add Martine Croxall (51), Geeta Guru-Murthy (52), Kirsty Wark (65), Louise Minchin (51), and Philippa Thomas (54). It's also more than possible that others whose ages aren't public knowledge may fall into the category.
I wouldn't be surprised if Ben Bland ends up becoming a future face for the main bulletins, he's currently presenting All Around the World by BBC News on Quibi.
Rich Preston who has recently presented some overnight shifts on the World & NC simulcast is a promising young talent, if the BBC can keep him on board that's at least one person in their 20's they could hold on to!
(I'm assuming he's in his 20's from how young he looks, i'm a poor judge of age on appearance)
Rich Preston who has recently presented some overnight shifts on the World & NC simulcast is a promising young talent, if the BBC can keep him on board that's at least one person in their 20's they could hold on to!
(I'm assuming he's in his 20's from how young he looks, i'm a poor judge of age on appearance)
The likes of Sophie Raworth and Fiona Bruce would be unlikely to take a full-time role on the 6 or 10, because quite frankly they’ve moved on from that. They’re all over the BBC in a variety of formats, more so than the others.
Mishal Hussain is a great shout.
I do think Mishal is by far the strongest female newsreader the BBC have had on the network bulletins in recent years and if the BBC did ever have the balls for a 1999 style overhaul she would be top of my list for either the 6 or 10.
Actually I take it back. Victoria Derbyshire. Probably one of the best and most human presenters there is right now, across all channels.
I think taking her out of the awful format of her usual show has proven she’s actually a very competent news presenter.
Obviously once this is all over savings still need to be made but I do wonder if there is an argument to rework her show for the 9-10am slot on BBC1, even in a similar format to what it was on BBC2 or taking it out of news altogether and instead having it as one of the few returning live shows in the BBC1 daytime line up as more of a magazine show.
Last edited by Brekkie on 12 May 2020 11:49pm - 3 times in total
Rich Preston who has recently presented some overnight shifts on the World & NC simulcast is a promising young talent, if the BBC can keep him on board that's at least one person in their 20's they could hold on to!
(I'm assuming he's in his 20's from how young he looks, i'm a poor judge of age on appearance)
the BBC can look to the regions as well for young talent. Elise Chamberlain and Navtej Johal from East Midlands today spring to mind, I'm sure plenty of others from other regions as well could do so.
the BBC can look to the regions as well for young talent. Elise Chamberlain and Navtej Johal from East Midlands today spring to mind, I'm sure plenty of others from other regions as well could do so.