News Channel to move online (speculation)

I think that makes a lot of sense, with the changes to how news is now being delivered, through social media etc, I think a rolling news channel really does seem old fashioned. I'd expect the BBC to develop other ways to bring people the news. The issue they have is with major breaking news but I could see some kind of Outside Source type set up which could stream live online or via apps

Awful more like! I don't want to watch the news on my phone!

Although it costs peanuts in comparison to everything else if channels are moving to be delivered online and via Connected TV BBC Parliament really should be gone already. Democracy Live with live footage of the Commons, Lords, national assemblies/parliaments, EU and various committee rooms is a far better way to serve the handful of people interested in watching live politics in action.

The news channel is probably at it's weakest point in it's history now but 24 hour news still has a place at the BBC IMO - though I think relying on more appointment to view shows like Victoria Derbyshire and the various BBC World simulcasts is completely the wrong direction. It needs to be free moving and quick to react, and actually a change to that sort of approach could give them the savings they need while also giving viewers a more dynamic channel which sits alongside it's online operations far better.

Phones, tablets, smart TVs...

The ITV News Channel showed how to do it with fewer resources....the BBC NC could still cut away loads of its costs- fewer presenters, more studio guests. Not a huge stretch really.

But i don't see how broadcasting it only online really saves money. The platform is irrelevant.

The platform is only irrelevant if you see a potential move to online as a continued operation of a linear broadcast channel. You could move online and adopt a more on-demand model, or a carousel-style pre-recorded link+ VT operation where news is updated as and when but not broadcast continuously live from a studio. Nowhere near as comprehensive or reactive, but a lot cheaper. "Live" reporting would be similar to the current BBC Online Live pages I guess.

I'm not advocating it, or saying it will happen, just that moving to online doesn't have to mean moving the current operation to a different distribution model, it could mean a new production model too.

As much as I liked the ITV News Channel, it still shared resources with the main ITV News, simulcasting network news bulletins, the late edition of London Tonight and was on a pre-recorded loop overnight and was still axed.

In a world of increasing on-demand, self-serve and DIY I greatly enjoy a service that is curated for me, that I can dip in and out of. I want professional editors to tell me what the significant stories of the day are - if they don't I end up looking at cat pictures.

Yes - the same is true of linear general TV channels. 10 years ago PVRs, VOD and IP Catchup services all were used as indications that the main terrestrial channels' days were numbered, and the 24 hour news channels were used to predict the end of the terrestrial bulletins. Except that hasn't happened. BBC One and ITV still dominate, as do the One/Six/Ten and ITV bulletins.

Curation is important, and the power of 'just show me good programmes' is still strong.

So government have confirmed over 75s to receive free TV licences. Farewell BBC News Channel

To clear up some issues with the above post:
The government have announced that the BBC will fund free licences for the over 75s, rather than the government themselves.

The Guardian is giving credence to previous reports that the News Channel could go online only:

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/jul/07/bbc-considering-move-news-channel-online-only