Jeremy Paxman will remain host as University Challenge. My thoughts are that his political TV career is over.
Yes, he hates the BBC, but he still enjoys University Challenge so he'll be stuck there till retirement probably.
Do you think they will actually announce a "new" presenter to fill in his role, i.e - Eddie Mair will be the new Mon-Wed presenter. Promote internally, i.e Maitlis. Or just not replace him at all, having alternating shifts?
If the rumours being put about are right, they needed him to go for financial reasons. Having spent so much bringing in the likes of Laura Kuenssberg etc, they had to find savings elsewhere. Paxo's salary was the answer. If that is true (and it may not be) I doubt they could be too generous bringing in a presenter from outside.
If the rumours are right, Kuenssberg costs a third of what Paxman does. I suspect it's more likely they made a big push to get Laura
because
Jeremy was leaving, rather than the other way around. Although I'm willing to bet they've saved money replacing Gavin and reducing Kirsty's role.
On a similar (albeit cynical) note I wonder whether it may also be connected to BBC's plans to bring more staff 'on book' instead of paying service companies. According to the Daily Mail indicates Paxman was one of those who was being paid via this method. By him not renewing his contract he doesn't have to go 'on book' and the BBC/Newsnight sees a saving in it's budget.
As for the programme I think it'll safely survive, though I'm surprised BBC haven't tried shoving it onto the News Channel or moving it to 11pm.
I saw that as well, Joshua. Have to say, the thought never crossed my mind. Becky would be more than able for the role, but I always considered her as CNN "through and through".
I think it was more of a case of Jeremy wanting to retire rather that he was pushed or his contract wouldn't be renewed. Backyard has just moved to Abu Dhabi for CNN and by all accounts is enjoying herself there so I would be surprised to see her returning so quickly. Also I believe if they are to replace Jeremy I believe it would be a man they would go for, otherwise the 4 main presenters would be female which wouldn't be much of a gender balance.
I saw that as well, Joshua. Have to say, the thought never crossed my mind. Becky would be more than able for the role, but I always considered her as CNN "through and through".
You never know, though.
Becky Anderson has been at CNN a long time, but she has moved around before. She was with 5 News/ITN in the late 90's and she was also with CNBC Europe for a while as well, and prior to that, European Business News.
On a similar (albeit cynical) note I wonder whether it may also be connected to BBC's plans to bring more staff 'on book' instead of paying service companies. According to the Daily Mail indicates Paxman was one of those who was being paid via this method. By him not renewing his contract he doesn't have to go 'on book' and the BBC/Newsnight sees a saving in it's budget.