[chrisherald]

It is somewhat easy to say, "Finally, you may have noticed some changes to the faces on your screens here on BBC News. Due to government-influenced (semi-hostile, semi-political) budget-driven factors, we've forced out many long time employees and shifted other staff to lower-paid and new-scoped roles, so that we can offer, at any given random point in time, ultimately a less capable and less resilient news output, by way of staff and scheduling, production tooling, and news gathering re-prioritization (fit for the digital Netflix age!). Whether you join us on-air, or online, via a "stream" or something else, we at the BBC hope you'll find new ways to be unhappy with our offering, that you probably aren't even paying for. Today marks the end of the BBC News Channel brand as it has existed since BBC News 24 began, and marks a new chapter of evolution and probable decline for the BBC. We hope you'll stay with us, here at the BBC, as we strive to deliver, eh, more of less, let's say. To viewers in the UK, on PBS in America, and around the world, *shuffles papers* uh, who knows what you're watching anymore. News at six is probably next, for some of you. No, I don't know where you can watch Focus on Africa. (and no, we haven't fired Gary for those of you who keep asking) (Also goodbye to viewers on BBC Two, you'll get the radio next, probably Capital or XFM)"

That's easy enough, clear enough for most viewers to understand, little room for confusion. Can be said in under 2 minutes with a nice photo montage of BBC staff going away parties and cakes.

If they wanted to give a cheeky nod to us die hard fans, double headed presentation would have been the ticket (someone unpaid for the hour could have just dropped-in on-screen for the goodbye, maybe someone already on the way out the door). (Jane and Matthew would, of course, have been the dream, despite them not leaving.)