[DTV]

I guess the point is they want to have a live, real view in the background to emphasise the fact that they’re on location which they wouldn’t have in the Breakfast/Sport studio. I know Salford isn’t Manchester, but when they’re only three miles from the location of the conference, to see that as an issue does feel a bit like splitting hairs. It’s not like they’re broadcasting from Leeds.

Sure, but the real reason they come from conference is for ease of the guests. I just don't feel a real view (especially a not particularly good or recongisable one) is enough of a reason to justify effectively bargain bucket production values for several weeks a year. If they really feel the need to show they are at conference or in Manchester, there are other ways they can do it. It's the same with network news touring the regions.

My point about it not being in Manchester was more about the fact that, if they were coming from somewhere near/on the conference complex, perhaps such a rudimentary set-up would be more palatable. But they're just coming from the nearest BBC studio centre, which happens to contain two studios that have been used for network news programmes, so coming from some black crates in an office corner just looks even worse.