Here's something interesting I've been pondering recently... when digital TV is the norm in the UK and the analog signal is turned off, will the current terrestrial channels still have the same obligations regarding the amount of news they show? I mean, BBC News 24 is available to all digital homes - as this will be available to everyone, will BBC One still have to show news when it is available just as easily elsewhere on the same platform?
Hmm...good point. Taking the BBC as an example, I think there will still be a place for a dedicated 1/6/10 style news programme, as these programmes have become part of the television landscape. However the afternoon quick-fire bulletins will surely be killed off by more extensive use of the red button - after all, they are just a watered down version of the headline loop.
This poses another question - when a major news story breaks will programming be interrupted on BBC1 to carry a simulcast of N24? I think not - more likely a MHEG or other banner, or in-between programme reports, will alert viewers of the situation.
Also will the BBC news be shown as a late night filler before the education on BBC two. Are we going to say good bye to that for repeats. I know the BBC are keen not to show repeats, but they normally fill the space with news. Not that I mind, it's quite night to be updated when I can actually relax. Hopefully ITV will stop making news bulletin's, or at least aim tham at an age higher than 5.
I'm sure there will still be fixed points for news on BBC 1 & Newsnight would continue (after all, why have BBC 3 news and The World when you can see N24 if you can see them?) but the amount of simulcasting would most likely be reduced, even if it's just a case of filling up the overnight schedule on BBC 1 with repeats of the prime-time shows.
I'm sure there will still be fixed points for news on BBC 1 & Newsnight would continue (after all, why have BBC 3 news and The World when you can see N24 if you can see them?) but the amount of simulcasting would most likely be reduced, even if it's just a case of filling up the overnight schedule on BBC 1 with repeats of the prime-time shows.
BBC THREE News and The World are substantially different to the rolling news product offered by N24. THREE News offers a yoof-orientated, slightly cynical sideswipe at the day's news (although for how much longer is debatable). The World offers a much more global, in-depth perspective on stories than is typically available on N24. If both of these bulletins continue through to a time when the UK is 100% digital, they'll still have a place alongside rolling news, as will the likes of Newsnight and local/national/international bulletins on BBC ONE, for those who don't want to deal with red button nonsense and rolling news.