16-02-2023, 10:13 PM
(16-02-2023, 09:07 PM)Kojak Wrote: Would that have been around 2006/7? I believe the official launch in the USA led (somewhat gradually?) to a move away from British stories, almost as if they were trying to hide the fact it was a British channel.I believe BBC World was available in parts of the US from the late-90s - IIRC, it had a place on local cable in certain urban areas and various PBS stations simulcast BBC World at certain times of the day. But 2006 was when the channel gained full-time nationwide cable coverage for the first time, with the original Alagiah (12:00 UKT) edition of WNT being launched in July 2006 as a US Breakfast programme.
The influx of US advertising revenues did have a huge impact on the channel - not least turning it profitable for the first time and allowing extra investment in news programming. Extra US-targetted programming was launched in late-2007 with World News America (then at 00:00) serving as an evening newscast for the East Coast and the overnight edition of WNT (at 03:00 and double-headed with Philippa Thomas in Washington) serving as an evening programming for West Coast and late-night programme for East Coast.
I don't think the BBC have ever tried to hide the fact they are a British channel, particularly not with regard to the American audience - World News America's lead presenter has always been British. I think it was more of a case of having your output suit your audience. While there has always been a case for covering certain British stories, fundamentally BBC World News' two key audiences are a) general news source for English-speaking Commonwealth and b) high-end news channel for English-speaking professionals and you have to focus on what is relevant to them - hence why you do get a shifting news agenda throughout the day as the 'prime' times in different regions come and go.