IT
I can't honestly recall as it's been a few years since my visit there, but I do remember that there was a significant delay between London and Atlanta, which might suggest satellite?
itsrobert
Founding member
Do CNN really use satellite for distribution between their studio sites? I know that the BBC Singapore (and Washington, for that matter) bureaux use fibre, which has a much lower latency.
I can't honestly recall as it's been a few years since my visit there, but I do remember that there was a significant delay between London and Atlanta, which might suggest satellite?
NG
In today's day of rolling news, do the big "stars" still have their own offices in recognition of their status? I am thinking of the likes of Huw Edwards, Jeremy Thompson and Mark Austin, etc. Or, are those days long gone and the anchormen and anchorwomen of today more likely to be found slumming it out in the main newsroom with the rest of us "plebs"? Pardon the term.
None of the BBC News presenters on BBC One or the BBC News Channel have their own offices. There are certain seats that the One/Six/Ten presenters sit at in the newsroom (just as directors, and editors have designated seats), but that's about it.
ITN may do things differently - historically some of their presenters had an office - and one even had a secretary...
noggin
Founding member
In today's day of rolling news, do the big "stars" still have their own offices in recognition of their status? I am thinking of the likes of Huw Edwards, Jeremy Thompson and Mark Austin, etc. Or, are those days long gone and the anchormen and anchorwomen of today more likely to be found slumming it out in the main newsroom with the rest of us "plebs"? Pardon the term.
None of the BBC News presenters on BBC One or the BBC News Channel have their own offices. There are certain seats that the One/Six/Ten presenters sit at in the newsroom (just as directors, and editors have designated seats), but that's about it.
ITN may do things differently - historically some of their presenters had an office - and one even had a secretary...
AC
Does anyone have a list of BBC bureaux? I know there are 44, according to Wikipedia. There seems to be very little information on them.
How many members of staff are there typically, and what are costs like for running them, as well as their size? What are the facilities like?
Also, what preparations have been made, if any, for bureaux and cameras on OBs around the world for HD? Will all of BBC News, domestically, immediately broadcast in HD from Broadcasting House, or just from the studio? What about BBC News Channel in HD?
Is it just Singapore and Washington that have sets or studios to broadcast from?
How many members of staff are there typically, and what are costs like for running them, as well as their size? What are the facilities like?
Also, what preparations have been made, if any, for bureaux and cameras on OBs around the world for HD? Will all of BBC News, domestically, immediately broadcast in HD from Broadcasting House, or just from the studio? What about BBC News Channel in HD?
Is it just Singapore and Washington that have sets or studios to broadcast from?
JW
Paris, NYC, Berlin, LA, Jerusalem, Beirut and Sydney all appear to have some sort of semi-permanent bureau to broadcast from, well currently at least. Whereas, the presenters in Bangkok, Tokyo usually feed their piece from a roof.
JW
What's the rule observed for rotating correspondents on geographical assignments? I guess it varies from company to company. However, I note that the BBC rotate their correspondents reasonably regularly, maybe on three year cycles, ish.
What about correspondents who are resident in their home countries? For example, Aleem Maqbool. Will he just perpetually be based in Pakistan, or is the BBC likely to rotate him to another posting in due course?
Is the whole rotation thing done to keep correspondents fresh and rounded and exposed in as many environments as possible, or is it merely to share the load of hardship postings? (I.e. Kabul is not quite the same as Shanghai, but Quentin Somerville has done both). I assume it also takes care of promotion and career progression as well.
One notable exception that springs to mind in the case of BBC News is Rome's David Willey. He's been there for as long as I can remember!
Rules in other companies, such as Sky and CNN? Which countries/cities are considered as the "plum" postings?
What about correspondents who are resident in their home countries? For example, Aleem Maqbool. Will he just perpetually be based in Pakistan, or is the BBC likely to rotate him to another posting in due course?
Is the whole rotation thing done to keep correspondents fresh and rounded and exposed in as many environments as possible, or is it merely to share the load of hardship postings? (I.e. Kabul is not quite the same as Shanghai, but Quentin Somerville has done both). I assume it also takes care of promotion and career progression as well.
One notable exception that springs to mind in the case of BBC News is Rome's David Willey. He's been there for as long as I can remember!
Rules in other companies, such as Sky and CNN? Which countries/cities are considered as the "plum" postings?
GE
I'm sure I heard once that Cuba is a joy - it's mainly drinking rum and waiting for Castro to shuffle off. Every so often you'll see a positive story about the country, which is enough to renew their journalist's visa.
thegeek
Founding member
Rules in other companies, such as Sky and CNN? Which countries/cities are considered as the "plum" postings?
JW
Quite coincidental that I made the post above. Unknowingly, BBC Nick Bryant is leaving Australia and his replacement will be Duncan Kennedy, he who spent some time in Rome lately.
ST
And in the process, answered your question about BBC Correspondents resident in the country they are covering - Nick Bryant is going to remain in Sydney now his posting is over, but rove from there, as he puts it on Twitter. So presumably a World Affairs Correspondent, but based in Sydney not London.
Quite coincidental that I made the post above. Unknowingly, BBC Nick Bryant is leaving Australia and his replacement will be Duncan Kennedy, he who spent some time in Rome lately.
And in the process, answered your question about BBC Correspondents resident in the country they are covering - Nick Bryant is going to remain in Sydney now his posting is over, but rove from there, as he puts it on Twitter. So presumably a World Affairs Correspondent, but based in Sydney not London.
IT
And in the process, answered your question about BBC Correspondents resident in the country they are covering - Nick Bryant is going to remain in Sydney now his posting is over, but rove from there, as he puts it on Twitter. So presumably a World Affairs Correspondent, but based in Sydney not London.
Quite a sensible move to have a roving World Affairs Correspondent based in Sydney. He can easily cover Asia and Australasia from there - as well as South America and western North America should he be required.
itsrobert
Founding member
Quite coincidental that I made the post above. Unknowingly, BBC Nick Bryant is leaving Australia and his replacement will be Duncan Kennedy, he who spent some time in Rome lately.
And in the process, answered your question about BBC Correspondents resident in the country they are covering - Nick Bryant is going to remain in Sydney now his posting is over, but rove from there, as he puts it on Twitter. So presumably a World Affairs Correspondent, but based in Sydney not London.
Quite a sensible move to have a roving World Affairs Correspondent based in Sydney. He can easily cover Asia and Australasia from there - as well as South America and western North America should he be required.