[Frances]

The BBC's studios haven't felt quite right for the occasion. The output from Studio E looks more or less like any rolling news coverage. Studio B - which is effectively a blank canvas - looks largely like it does for a standard BBC1 bulletin. The Breakfast Studio - which is also a fairly blank canvas - felt cheerful with the busy newsroom shot and the white and red colour scheme.

I think they could have prepared a more sombre bespoke look. I thought ITV has done better with its naturally-darker colour scheme and turning the virtual screens in the background into a collage of images of the Queen. The BBC could have done something like that in E, on the screens on the left of the main presenter shot that are there to hide the gallery door.

I think the approach BBC is trying to achieve is to keep things as simple and neutral, not overly making things sombre, yet having a bit of comforting and sympathetic tone - this explains why there are no custom graphics like black backgrounds on double boxes, purple and black light boxes, custom music and stings etc… they’re too flashy and they don’t want to go down the US cable news route. It’s mostly generic graphics with a bit of custom titles and OTS monitor graphics and minimal usage of music and stings.

I think the presenters on BBC achieved this goal spot on, especially Huw Edwards. His tone is mostly neutral, with a bit of softness to show sympathy and comfort the nation, no sensationalism or emotional in tone whatsoever.

I do agree on the point of the newsroom backdrop though, I REALLY think the defunct London daytime/nighttime skyline backdrop in Studio C, accompanied with the generic graphics, would better fit the tone and atmosphere the BBC is trying to achieve.

I still think they can use that sombre theme for the intros and keep the BBC News branding.