Although, I'm no real business person, I must say Bloomberg's really grown on me, they have a strong set of programmes and I really like Last Word. Andrea Catherwood is an excellent presenter and this show suits her!
I'm not too keen on the new European mornings sequence though - there's no need for the 'Countdown' revamp! I don't think Owen and Francine in particular gel well, watching it the other day, they kept tripping up each other's lines, leaving awkward pauses and I'd prefer 3 hours of Linzie Janis any day!
I've heard of coughing fits taking presenters out of action, but this is something completely different...
I don't imagine anyone else caught this today, but during the second hour of Countdown this morning, Francine Lacqua fainted on air - collapsing to the ground, and causing a quick cut to the markets desk where the programme continued. According to her co-presenter Owen Thomas (who continued on to host On the Move in her place), Lacqua was affected by the heat of the studio lights. Apparently no harm done, but quite a shock nonetheless.
BBC News Channel should take a look at Bloomberg... The presentation from London in the morning is amazing - the use of the set / graphics / camera shots are really innovative. They have this amazing glass wall that projects any sort of image and then magically clears. And the presenters are fantastic too. I've always been a fan of Owen Thomas and the chemistry between him and the other anchors is great.... even if I don't understand much of what they're going on about!
They certainly have a great rolling news format. In the sense that you get the same standards out of almost every programme, high quality guests and succinct, yet insightful commentary. Not to mention great music and branding. The US mornings sequence is better in my opinion but I agree, the Europe mornings sequence is well presented.
And that glass-to-screen wall and floor they have in London is brilliant!