[JosiahStuart]

I’ve said this following saying on a U.S. tv pres and news forum before, but please stop complaining…

Just because the BBC is expanding the staff Washington bureau does not mean that the BBC is pleading to the US.

It’s appalling how some people jump to conclusions that aren’t even true nowadays.

In all honesty, Caitriona will be a great addition to the BBC News bureau in Washington.

[News76]

I’ve said this following saying on a U.S. tv pres and news forum before, but please stop complaining…

Just because the BBC is expanding the staff Washington bureau does not mean that the BBC is pleading to the US.

It’s appalling how some people jump to conclusions that aren’t even true nowadays.

In all honesty, Caitriona will be a great addition to the BBC News bureau in Washington.

Why should we stop complaining-BBC News is UK Channel not an American Channel.

[DTV]

Why should we stop complaining-BBC News is UK Channel not an American Channel.

Really, it is a UK-based international channel (with UK opt-outs). And it's not like they've suddenly moved everything to America - these new presenters are largely covering the UK overnight period, when there are negligible UK viewers watching, but during some of the peak periods in US viewership of the channel. And, even then, the amount of US-based output the UK viewer is getting is roughly the same as they were around 2008.

As an aside, I do very much note the irony that the members complaining most about the lack of UK content are also the ones complaining most about the BBC's attempts to build extra revenue streams that would allow them to produce extra domestic news content.

[Brekkie]

Although we're in a situation where the BBC is hiring Irish talent to present from Washington having axed or demoted virtually all of their UK News Channel talent.

Looks like they had a hard time urging presenters from London to move to DC...

They struggle enough getting people up to Salford.

[oscillon]

The ticker went haywire during 1500 UKT News Channel headlines - it just kept popping up with every new swipe and every new headline!



Despite having some outdated news on it during accidental appearances, for the bulk of the bulletin the ticker was switched to website-only mode.

[harshy]

It’s not benefiting either channel like today it’s all about the coronation even on the global channel they are still on about it even though the event is long over.

[DTV]

There seems to be a sizeable contingent on this forum who seems to be really pushing us to like and support these new arrangements. The bad news is that some of us don't, and won't. Yes, obviously we understand why - there is no money left - but that doesn't mean we have to cheer it on. It leaves me very cold that the BBC is shirking important public service commitments because it would prefer to produce a UK version of Drag Race. I do hope the BBC's attempt to crack America works, because as you say, it will be better for everyone. I just wish they had never needed to go down this road in the first place.

I, as you well know, am not by any means pushing anybody to cheerlead the new channel, nor do I particularly myself - I've always been clear that I think, although the new channel is better than it could have been, it is obviously a diminshed service and there are certain deficiencies in the output and improvements that can be made (and am sure will, to a certain extent, be made as time goes on).

I was merely attempting to balance out one of this thread's many overreactions (i.e., that shifting overnights to Washington is some sort of anti-British act) and commenting that there is a sizeable contingent on this forum who seem to want things both ways. E.g., it's not trying to stamp out valid critiques of the UK breaking opts by pointing out the inconsistency of a handful of members who simultaneously bemoan the lack of coverage of UK stories and that the breaking opt-outs are too long.

[Kojak]

There seems to be a sizeable contingent on this forum who seems to be really pushing us to like and support these new arrangements. The bad news is that some of us don't, and won't. Yes, obviously we understand why - there is no money left - but that doesn't mean we have to cheer it on. It leaves me very cold that the BBC is shirking important public service commitments because it would prefer to produce a UK version of Drag Race. I do hope the BBC's attempt to crack America works, because as you say, it will be better for everyone. I just wish they had never needed to go down this road in the first place.

I, as you well know, am not by any means pushing anybody to cheerlead the new channel, nor do I particularly myself - I've always been clear that I think, although the new channel is better than it could have been, it is obviously a diminshed service and there are certain deficiencies in the output and improvements that can be made (and am sure will, to a certain extent, be made as time goes on).

I was merely attempting to balance out one of this thread's many overreactions (i.e., that shifting overnights to Washington is some sort of anti-British act) and commenting that there is a sizeable contingent on this forum who seem to want things both ways. E.g., it's not trying to stamp out valid critiques of the UK breaking opts by pointing out the inconsistency of a handful of members who simultaneously bemoan the lack of coverage of UK stories and that the breaking opt-outs are too long.

To be fair I wasn’t describing you - you have consistently been very fair about the whole thing, and I apologise if my post looked like it was criticising you. It wasn’t, I promise! I suspect we probably agree on much more than on what we disagree. 

You said we are getting the same amount of US-originated output as we did in 2008 - it’s been a few years, and I can’t remember exactly what was originated from the States back then? I know WNA existed, as it does now, but that is only half an hour.

[DTV]

You said we are getting the same amount of US-originated output as we did in 2008 - it’s been a few years, and I can’t remember exactly what was originated from the States back then? I know WNA existed, as it does now, but that is only half an hour.

Around 2008, you had World News America at 00:30, ABC World News at 01:30 and World News Today - initially co-presented by Philippa Thomas in Washington - for the 03:00 hour. So, if you split WNT in half, 90 minutes of US-originated content during the overnights, roughly the same as now. In fact, until really about 2010, there was always a strong US lean on News 24 overnight - USA Direct was originally shown three times a night, then you had the London-New York edition of World Business Report from 2000-07 - so I guess the current set-up isn't that out of the ordinary.

[ViridianFan]

Why should we stop complaining-BBC News is UK Channel not an American Channel.

Really, it is a UK-based international channel (with UK opt-outs). And it's not like they've suddenly moved everything to America - these new presenters are largely covering the UK overnight period, when there are negligible UK viewers watching, but during some of the peak periods in US viewership of the channel. And, even then, the amount of US-based output the UK viewer is getting is roughly the same as they were around 2008.

As an aside, I do very much note the irony that the members complaining most about the lack of UK content are also the ones complaining most about the BBC's attempts to build extra revenue streams that would allow them to produce extra domestic news content

I have not got any complaints about the BBC looking at different funding streams trying to make sure they can squeeze every last penny out of the content they produce. To be blunt they would be stupid not to do this. 

What I protest to is having a service which is not on a par with what we had before. There is no way anyone could say in all seriousness that people in the UK are getting the same service as they were with the old channel especially in relation to the content. Despite what some members think i do understand the financial difficulties the BBC is in but it feels very much as if the focus is going on appealing the American market. Whenever I turn on it now seems to be a talking head of sort giving opinion. 

I know some have said that there are still the network bulletins but there is not the time in these to have MPs questioned at depth, or look in details at stories. These single item opt out streams idten feel like they padding time where other stories could be covered. 

I have contemplated putting this bit but I’ve decided I will. It’s really starting to spoil the enjoyment I get from this group some of the sarcastic replies and uncalled for comments.  I was under the impression that this was a place we could share our opinion. Just because something has happened doesn’t mean you have to stop holding that opinion. I’m well aware of finding cuts and the reasons for changes it doesn’t mean I have to like it but it feels like some people believe their opinions to be the definitive opinion. Maybe it’s down to me having an awful week but some of the comments just seem rude. I’ve enjoyed this forum but it seems to nave not having s good effect on me atm