The NEW Central West and BBC Midlands thread

The top floor is empty - they have been trying to rent it out for years now!

Since 2004, I think. (The sign has dissapeared now though)

Bye bye Tony Butler then.

http://www.expressandstar.com/2009/04/26/butler-retires-after-60-year-career/

Les Ross, then Butler.

How long before Doolan calls it a day?

Does anyone know who former Beacon jock Neil Jackson is working for these days?

He was doing some stuff yesterday for Walsall Council for their St George's Day celabrations, but I gather that's as part of his separate media company, I guess?

Wesley Smith and Dennis Coath on the demise of regional news:
http://www.journalism.co.uk/5/articles/534352.php

Interesting stuff. I suppose with Wesley hitting back like this - he is breaking any chance of taking over Central News West? Cant see him taking over BBC Oxford News unless it becomes fully split as there isnt room for both Wesley and Geraldine.

Living on the South Coast (and thus getting the full BBC South Today programme, having seen the BBC Oxford opt out) I do think that the Oxford area could do with a full service if they set it up like the former BBC North region (now BBC Yorkshire and BBC Yorkshire & Lincolnshire). They have two separate news services but only share the Politics Show and perhaps Inside Out. I wouldn't be able to say whether they should remain branded as BBC South but I think it could work and for Geraldine and Wesley to work together would like the good old days.

I too think that Michael Grade has played a very negative role in ITV plc. His attitude is nothing short of disgraceful and to think when he was appointed he said he was going to take ITV back to it's core principles. Well sorry but he's gone the complete opposite way. I think UTV and STV have done very well given their smaller size. I think it goes back to pre-ITV plc. They should've NEVER allowed Carlton and Granada to merge. They screwed up with OnDigital/ITV Digital, they've completely screwed up now!

Interesting idea. The BBC Oxford branding is becoming increased more and more. It would be nice to see Wesley back on the Tv and input some new ideas into what is at the moment pretty dull!

Any idea who did tonight's anno into the 10?

It sounded like a BBC WM newsreader(Nicolle Pullman?).

Anyone spotted the thread on the DS radio forum slagging off Flupton & Jo Malin?

Spotted this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3qUljunCBA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdgyGq4LiyE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEqaJcsHDf4
20 years of Central News, a documentary shown on Carlton (sorry Central...) in late 2001. The quality is amazingly sharp as well.

Well spotted - I taped it back on it's original showing, it's an excellent doc!

What's with the weather forecast during the Politics Show?

We don't normally get one do we?

(unless it's something to do with that there is normally a national 5 day forecast during the Country Tracks prog, but they've gone to the trouble of a local & national forecast?)

Just listening to Smooth West Midlands & the ads come on.

Anyone heard Les Ross promoting bus & rail passes for CENTRO.

"All aboard the er 966 to Solihull! "Shut up Les !"