Election 2005 -Pre-Election discussion here

Martin did have his virtual maps, so that's probably why you're thinking that. I think it was the first VR thing Sky did (with a Silcon Graphics logo appearing from time to time), but he was linked to from Kay and I think Laurie Mayer from a 100% real studio. It might have been Westminster because it had the look of Adam Boulton's shows at the time, but it was probably in the second studio in the news centre.

It doesn't seem long ago, but back in '97 Sky didn't have animating graphics or anything as sophisticated as what they do these days. For the election night they just used a variation of the normal graphics they were using at the time, shown at the top of this page.

EDIT: Made the mistake of typing this out and then going away from the PC without posting, came back and somebody has already said all this! Oops...

My understanding is that the BBC's election night coverage will indeed come from TC1, and is rumoured to be largely virtual. I guess we'll find out soon.

Well yes, I wasn't quite being serious. Though in this day and age you never know.

How obscure.

I think if I'd noticed that on the night i'd have felt a bit sick... like tunnelvision.

Seems strange that ITV and the Beeb seem to be going cheap for this election night, when it promises to be vastly more interesting than the last. In fact, the last was probably the most boring in history and the one that the broadcasters made the biggest effort for.

Probably expecting another ratings dip.

Apparently not. Five Live are doing their own coverage this time.

I stand entirely corrected.

Sounds very good, as long as they don't "dumb down" to appear inclusional of the audiences for the other digital radio stations. There is a risk that Radio 4 will be allowed to give the straight-ball coverage (that Five Live is far superior and more experienced at), whilst Five Live get stuck with forced politically-correct segments utilising guests from organisations such as 'Operation Black Vote' rather than the main political parties.

Radio Four have fantastic election night coverage. Vintage BBC. Im gald FiveLive are doing there own thing.
Im going to listen to the 11o'clock update and the rest of the time horror films....I really can't be bothered.

Radio Four's election night coverage has in the last few years been driven by Radio Five Live...I think Worriker has consistently outshone Naughtie (admittely one of the few Four presenters with any sense of warmth)- moving Peter Allen overnight is inspired...the man is a radio genius (frankly along with Garvey he saved Five Live) who will bring just the right amount of irreverance to hard questioning.

BBC Radio always seems to be so much mor professional than there visual counterparts at these things. Its quite refreshing to have someone who uses proper english as apposed to some bimbo in XX with a gob.

Garvey and Allen are undoubtedly the best team on radio - not sure I'd have said that if Humphreys and MacGregor were still together, but still.

I think it's a sensible move, the only problem I can foresee is the yet further depletion of resources on the night - means more juggling of correspondents - and it does rather undermine the argument the Beeb are putting out at the moment about not duplicating coverage. It also entirely goes again the exec who said s/he'd been shifted from studio to studio being interviewed; that's exactly what'll happen on election night.

As for it working better on radio than TV - I'd say the BBC TV coverage of election night was still pretty impressive. If there's one night that you can be assured of some top class presenters, it's then. Dimbleby, Marr, Paxman, Bruce, Snow... come on. And let's not forget that Peter Allen used to do News 24!

I thought what she was saying was nonsense anyway. Why shouldn't, for example, political interviewees, do several pieces into Radio 4, Five Live, News 24, Newsnight anyone else who wants them? It costs them no extra (caveat: I don't know how BBC contributors are paid, assuming politicians even are for ordinary news coverage) and makes the programme distinctive.

It strikes me from the original quote she was only complaining because she'd been asked to do it herself...

And quite frankly they are still saving it...

I've got this fear that all the most talented Five Live / former Five LIve presenters are going to end up on different networks at the same time for the election coverage. Garvey & Allen on the radio station, Fi Glover doing radio 2 or 4 and Worricker News 24, rather than together somewhere as I feel they ought to be...