[Former Member 406]

But be careful what you wish for - Bristol currently has quite a big studio, but from what has been said the regions are all getting the same set, so the replacement may be a little bit underwhelming.

Indeed. We've heard that all BBC English Regions will get an identical size/shape of set based on the smallest studio, even if that set is then floating in the middle of much larger physical studio space.

Which English Region's studio is actually the smallest (and therefore the template)? Birmingham maybe (hence it being one of the first to change)?

Presumably, the new identical sets for the regions are intended to be around for a long time yet (e.g. 10 years+, or similar), and not subject to individual regions going rougue by refreshing the hell out of it in the meantime (South Today's "news café" era, anyone?).

This gives us the prospect of both Birmingham's and Bristol's impending building moves meaning that their respective "first version" of the new set will be in use for fewer years than other regions' ones. Also, foregoing the classic scenario of having a new style set to coincide with a new building in favour of having an identical replica of the last ever set from the old building. The on-air look of the bulletins therefore being as if no building-moved has occurred, which seems a shame.