[ALV]

Yes, and that's why there was no on-air mention of anything changing yesterday, because for the average viewer, nothing is changing. The channel will have its usual service "for viewers in the UK and around the world" this weekend and will be back on Monday in the same studio, with the usual presenters, with the same name, with the latest news. There will just be more international stories.

Even if there had been an on-air acknowledgement, how would've it been handled? "That's the end of the BBC News Channel after 25 years, here's some highlights.........but we're not going anywhere and we'll continue to bring you all the latest news with the same presenters, from this same studio, and we'll still called the BBC news channel, next week. The News at Six is up next and then we'll continue to bring you all the latest news throughout the evening........but that's it from the News Channel after 25 years, but really it isn't........" 

It would've been impossible to explain on-air to the average viewer what's changing without causing major confusion, which is why it wasn't acknowledged, apart from on twitter by producers.

Agreed. I think a subtle vague acknowledgment would be a perfect balance in between not wanting to confuse a general viewer and showing a mark of remembrance. Sometimes saying very few can reflect a lot in meaning:

"That's all from us. Reeta is coming up with the News at Six, but first we'll have the weather with Elizabeth. Thank you for watching the BBC News Channel, goodbye."(Goodbye in a soft voice) *Cut to weather*

A simple and elegant, vague yet remarkable send off to this 25 year history of domestic operation.