[Humphrey Hacker]

The OJ verdict was shown live during the Six, it hadn’t happened when they went on air, so leading on another story may have been due to other factors entirely.

Although given the verdicts were announced - if Wikipedia is correct - at 6:07pm (UK time), it couldn’t have been a lengthy package on Blair’s speech

(No memory of whether he’s right on what ITN lead their 5:40 bulletin on I’m afraid!)

Here's ITN's coverage, with the Early Evening News followed by a special programme at 6pm:

youtu.be 
youtu.be 

The only clip of the BBC's coverage I can find is the verdict itself, not the top of the programme.

I suppose there's an argument that the BBC having much less time available put a bit more pressure on getting other news out while they could.

ISTR that ITN started their coverage early. In fact I think it was the first bit of serious focus ITN gave the trial.