[Apples]

Today is a good example of the lead stories they’ll have to choose between in future. A-Level results or Ukraine. (Although at 9am, the plan is the uk stream will be taking Nicky Campbell’s radio 5 live phone in.)

I watched the 5AM NC/WN simulcast this morning and there's only one 2-min package on the A-Level results at the "B-Block" (after the quarter heads)... While on the 9AM hour the story is all over the place. The 5AM hour this morning is a good reference point on what the channel will be for the UK audience when the NC/WN merge in the future.

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I think one of the points that has been oversighted in this thread is the "logistical purpose" of the NC.

As emphasized by Martine Croxall on her Twitter a lot of times, the NC has a far greater purpose than just providing UK news to viewers 24/7... The channel serves as a content driver across other BBC News platforms. The content used on NC such as the packages, interviews are often re-used in other platforms such as the national bulletins, Newsnight, regional news, the BBC News App etc...

The NC is far greater than just a channel, it is an on-the-hour domestic newsgathering workflow system that serves as one of the major content source for the entire BBC News division. What I think Martine Croxall is trying to imply is that merging NC and WN will basically demolish the domestic newsgathering system, and will make other platforms lose a major source of domestic news content and may result in an increase of production cost for these platforms and give a harder time for staff to maintain these platforms...

For example, some skeleton regional newsroom might now have to employ extra staff to produce a regional bulletin because they no longer can reuse some packages from the NC.

If my interpretation is flawed, anyone is welcome to correct me and I will be humbled to learn~

My initial reaction to the proposed 'merger' (maybe this is not the right word considering how the unified channel will apparently function?) was one of horror and disbelief that something so ridiculous was being proposed (plus dismay at the funding decisions that had lead to the BBC even considering such a move) but, having sat back and thought about how I personally consume BBC news, I quickly realised that I am one of those who relies more on the app and website throughout the day and then watch the 6 and/or 10 for a digest. Do I ever use the News Channel? Yes, very occasionally for major breaking stories. Would I miss it if it wasn't there in its current form? Being honest, probably not, particularly if there is still going to be some provision for covering significant UK focussed stories. However, I completely agree with ALV in that the news channel currently serves as the newsgathering driver for the 1, the app and website. It is the impact on this workflow and how that is managed going forward that is going to be crucial to maintaining the BBC's value to UK viewers.