BBC News Rebrand - This Monday

Some previous posts from southwales...


(lovely use of capitals there)


(Hmmm!)

I still can't understand why the BBC insist on shoving News 24 in a studio the size of a broom cupboard ( N6). Its bad enough in N8.

Noggin you maybe able to answer this question...

Are the Barco screens in N6 pushed back as far as possible (i.e. the space you see in front of them where the desk is etc, is the actual size of the studio) or is there a huge space behind the screens in which they could push the back a bit more?

If memory serves there is a walkway behind the screen modules to allow for servicing and presumably an emergency exit route. I think the usable space is as large as its going to get.

Yes, but the walkway is already so tight, it almost violates H&S laws (as an emergency exit). There would be no way to extend the studio behind the screens, but i recall someone telling me when I was there that in the original plans, the screens were to be extended into the camera space (in front of presenter) on one wall to the very end of the wall. That could still be a possibility.

But still, why can't they give them a proper decent sized studio??

There must be spare studios in TV Centre that could be used?

I don't mean a studio as big as Sky News' (which I really like), but something with a bit more space wouldn't hurt it always looks far too cramped. The presenters that must leave to go to other news channels' etc must suffer from chlostrophobia.

I am in all though, looking foward to the relaunch!

What do you think they'll do to the graphics? Sort out that Black floating clock I hope in the ticker it does look awful. It doesn't look too bad when the ticker isn't there because it has a black background but when the ticker is overlayed it looks like its floating in mid-air.

Well yes, there are a few spare studios, but a lot of money was spent on N6 and TC7 when they were new, so they need to be used.

Also, it is only a rolling news channel, so many people belive it doesn't deserve a large studio.

But surely it does because it is in use far more, thus would get it's money's worth out of it! Why not put News 24 in TC7 as i've mentioned before.

Is N6 bigger than the one News 24 are currently in, N8?

If N24 were to move into TC7, other programs that need the space would loose it (i.e. how would Newsnight look in N6?!)

And, space-wise, i think its slightly smaller (in floor area) , just a much different shape, so feels tiny in comparison. I think we have become so used to seeing N24 in a long, thin studio that when it moves, no-one can truly comprehend how they are going to adapt it.

If News 24 were in TC7 they would have to pay rent to BBC Studios as the studio isn't owned by BBC News where as N6 is (I think i've got that right).

Do you think people would agree to the BBC News paying out excess money for a bigger studio, while jobs are being axed due to money problems?

Oh yes, i forgot about that!

So there are lots of reasons why it would be a bad idea to shove it it TC7

Well if it means that if they have a smaller studio, they can be a little quicker at bringing Breaking News to the screen (rather than being behind every other News Organisation or Service as they are most of the time) and tighten up their sloppy presentation and constant on-screen graphics errors, then i'm all for it .

Altough BBC news are still paying for that studio due to the fact it's in constant news use (Breakfast, Working Lunch, 6, Newnight, Hard talk, News Watch, 8pm summary, Politics Show, The AM Show)

The problem is most of those programmes would look wrong in a smaller studio, and for most News 24 is desk based with sport and a few special reports coming from the pod, so shorly N6 can be used without too much change in that format!

We don't need presenters dancing around the empty space of a studio because they can, we need them presenting the news in the most effective way they can, (and as appears from other organisations it's back to desks!)