BBC News: Presenters & Rotas

I hope this is not breaking any rules in terms of relating to a "presenter's personal life / privacy", but I tend to watch and listen to a great deal of BBC News and Laura Kuenssberg's absence as Political Editor over the last few weeks has been noticeable - one would expect her to be at the forefront of coverage including the most recent story on Cameron's finances, for example (it's interesting to note that Number 10 went with Robert Peston for Cameron's interview on Thursday night given his financial and political background, where Kuenssberg shares a similar background as Business Editor at itv News prior to her Political Editor status).

The last thing I want to do is start speculation about what Kuenssberg is up to - that's her business - but since she's been in post, it surprises me that the BBC haven't pushed her to the forefront of their news coverage. I've only seen an occasional report or live two-way with a presenter, whereas with her predecessor, Nick Robinson, you got the impression he'd regularly pop up on the main BBC One bulletins whenever there was a whiff of a political story.

Not that I'm suggesting BBC News has suffered in any way - they clearly have very capable political reporters in James Landale, Norman Smith (whose profile, I feel, really has grown recently), Carole Walker and the like.

They may be giving the likes of Kuenssberg a break before working very long days covering the local elections and the European referendum in the next two months.

If I also recall, Laura is presenting a programme as part of the BBC's European referendum coverage.

And we are still in the Easter holiday fortnight

It's probably as simple as the Parliamentary recess being the ideal time for the Political Editor to take leave, while the MPs are doing the same.

Which then turned into a case of Murphy's law as the story about The Prime Minster's Tax affair's broke in the middle of the recess.

Ah, OK. Points taken. Thanks. It's still my impression, however, that Kuenssberg's profile thus far has been nowhere near that of Nick Robinson's - though I appreciate that she is still early on in post.

Kuenssberg's prominence could increase once James Landale takes up the Diplomatic Correspondent position as well, seeing as that's one less senior journalist you can dispatch for high-profile interviews or stories. Nick's profile wasn't especially high in the several months before his departure (not counting his time on leave, or limited return) compared to most of his time as political editor.

It'll be interesting to see whether James gets directly replaced or not - Norman Smith is arguably in a more prominent position, given his airtime across television and Radio 4, and I can't imagine them moving him off that beat (even if he gets the 'deputy' title). Like when Hugh Pym moved to Health, I'd imagine James will be indirectly replaced by another correspondent-level position.

Matthew Amroliwala: welcome back! You're looking great.

It's the weekend of comebacks!

Biz presenter Rebecca Pike has left to join Liberty Global as Head of Digital Media.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/apr/11/virgin-media-bbc-presenter-rebecca-pike-liberty-global

She left in December and hasn't been replaced

@NthnRw @simonmayo Hi Nathan, I don't think there are any plans to replace me. I'm obviously a very difficult act to follow ;-)

— Rebecca Pike (@RebeccaMPike) January 7, 2016

Mariko Oi currently in New York for a bit. Saw her on Buisness Live and Sally Bundock making a comment about her temporary relocation from Singapore to New York.