[Keith]

And it's not really news, it's opinion. Watching it back I thought I'd flicked on to a bad version of Talk TV! You can criticise Talk TV about some of its opinion based programming, but at least it looks OK for a TV audience.

If they're going to broadcast 5 Live visually they're going to have to make some upgrades to the studio set up to make it more viewer and presenter friendly because, quite frankly, it just looks awful on screen at the moment (and has done for some time when the NC have dipped in). 

A poorly positioned camera with Nicky having to twist his neck round to look at it, taking him off mic at the same time isn't good, plus the really poor lighting to boot. Could've been broadcasting from a bunker. Frankly I've seen Youtubers with better set ups!

If I was being sceptical I'd suggest this morning was a way of testing out the idea of doing a simulcast with 5Live once the news channels have merged. Hopefully those higher up in the BBC will have realised that in it's current form there's a lot to be improved before it could be implemented permanently.

They might just about get away with it on BBC Two if they were doing something similar to when BBC Alba is off air, by airing 5Live but with a video feed into a smaller box on screen, ref flic.kr . However as UK-opt programme on BBC News (channel) I don't think that passes for being acceptable.