Manhunt in the North East

I always find the 'should we have anchors on location' debates interesting.

I think it's just become part of how big stories are covered. With what Sky have decided is a big story they are going to use everything they can to cover the story.

I think Sky would have been doing it for years if they could, it's just now it's less a technical challenge as it would have been a few years ago.

(Alternatively one of my colleagues said Sky sending Kay Burley out to the scene is bit like when at school they taught lessons outside in the summer- no reason for it but it's sunny so why no go out to the field?)

The issue here isn't though about having anchors on location, it's about whether it's a big story in the first place. I doubt he's the only murderer on the run at the moment.

I see that Jon Sopel has now popped up in Rothbury on BBC. Just speculation from me obviously but that's presumably that's in response to ratings given that there have been no further major developments.

Any links to this weeks ratings?

Looks like developments in this story then, Sky / BBC reporting he's been found and there is a stand-off.

BBC have Jon Sopel at the edge of the Police corden where it appears to be all happening, Sky making do with camera shot and Martin Brunt from outside police HQ.

Where's Kay Burley when you need her then Sky ?

Jon Sopel has been joined by ITV's Emma Murphy.

Sky taking interviews from Jon Sopel & Emma Murphy, where are they ?

Sky man looks to be there now, what took them ?

This is making really interesting viewing. The media have been moved back 200 meters so they must have been quite close to the action.

This shows why you need an Anchor at these incidents. Sopel is being magnificent.

Yes BBC are way ahead of Sky at the moment with Martin Brunt anchoring skys coverage over 30 miles from the scene. Where is Andrew Wilson?

Yep, Sky have been there almost all week, and when the big moment comes, it's left to their crime correspondent from police HQ.

Lets hope someone in a house beside the scene can get some footage

Sopel is great.