[Kojak]

Ultimately, given the fluctuations in news channel viewership, will have to wait and see if this month and the BBC's relative decline is part of a longer trend or merely a one-off poor month. Though, I have to say that, at present, it seems the figures are unlikely to be abnormal enough to trigger any kind of rethink - which isn't particularly surprising considering the larger public blowback over BBC Singers than the News channel changes.

I think the real acid test will come in 6-12 months time, when we can look at the figures month by month and see what the general trend is. I don’t see anything changing with the channel within that time - I suspect the BBC will want April’s changes to bed in for a while longer before any further tinkering. 

I do wonder what will happen when the election is called. I can’t imagine much of the day-to-day coverage that would have taken place previously is all that relevant to an international audience. Might we perhaps see more of the balcony during the campaign? Or (wishful thinking, probably) a return to a more traditional UK opt (presented and produced by, I don’t know, the One team)? They’re going to have to be creative. Perhaps Election Call could be revived?