[Keith]

Is this a rule the BBC have made up themselves where the election branding can’t launch until the campaign officially starts?

I suspect that given that yesterday's announcement came without much advanced warning yesterday evening and today have been spent hastily adjusting plans and organising staff.

I'd like to think they're getting staff and presenters/reporters in place to be able to have more UK studio based opt-out from Monday until the election day.

I'm guessing most news channels had assumed the election would now be in the autumn, with staff holidays based on that. I imagine there's been some hastily cancelled holidays, as well as bosses working out who is available.

As commented by others I dare say the BBC might be regretting changing the Newsnight format from June. That said in the discussion format they'll have a month of being able to talk about that day's election campaign events. It'll be interesting to see it the Ten gets temporarily extended in light of the election coverage.