[Kojak]

I wouldn't be surprised, though, if there was an element about the peculiarities of the case that explain why it didn't get higher priority. Scotland has very strict contempt laws (that start after the arrest) and limited information was available other than the police statements (the second of which didn't appear until the evening). Should probably have been higher on the running order, but I can see why you wouldn't give it rolling news coverage - just not much to say and not the kind of thing where you want reporters ad libbing for ages.

On the point of a partial reversal - there is scope for some extra UK output if they wanted it, but I think I'd rather they got things like the editorial balance settled and operational issues fixed before they even considered going down that route. The same really with launching any branded programmes - though, the Hockings/Amroliwala/Hakim slots do appear to be somewhat 'shadow' branded programmes already. Get the basics right, then start looking at bigger changes.

For me, I think finding a structure for the average hour that works is one of the key solutions to the editorial question marks that have existed so far. There is a lot of variation between slots (and even between hours within slots), some of which are too slowly paced which makes it harder to include a range of stories - including key UK ones. It also doesn't help that what is happening in the back-halves - whether UK-focussed, or including business and/or sport is irregular and only signposted in a few instances. I think a tighter more uniform format throughout the day - not dissimilar to late-2000s WNT or the old NC - would improve things and allow more stories to get featured, including domestic ones.

I didn't know that about Scotland - that would probably explain why the reporting on that arrest was somewhat limited, then. Still should have been higher on the running order, though, I agree.

RE: any reversal of the new setup - I should clarify. I think the BBC are going to want to carry on with the new setup for at least six to twelve months to prove a point, if nothing else - certainly I don't think there will be any major permanent changes this side of the general election. I can see it taking a new government (probably a Labour one that is somewhat friendlier towards the BBC, and is happy to make extra funding available) for any increase in non-simulcast UK output.

I could live with a structure more like the old 5am hour - internationally focussed but with UK headlines during World's ad breaks. That seems like the best compromise we're going to get at the moment. Ideally you might have an 'around the UK' segment (a proper one - not these silly little minute long clips!) towards the end of the hour, which I think World viewers could live with - it is the British Broadcasting Corporation, after all.

I still don't see why they couldn't have just had the One team provide a couple of extra hours of UK news - studio E is there between 12 and 3, after all! It would be no skin off their noses. But as I said, I suspect much of this is (not) being done in order to prove a point.