[ViridianFan]

I mean, is this actually true? Is there any data to back it up? People keep making sweeping statements about nearly all people watching on phones or online but never provide any actual evidence - especially as it negates the little four-screen data that is publicly available.

While it is true that audiences peak during certain news events, the idea that few watch the News channel as a TV channel isn't particularly credible as there is a clear baseline of viewing figures for each slot - with clear parts of the schedule (primarily evenings and certain parts of the weekend) when the audience is routinely higher. That wouldn't happen - particularly in those slots - if at least certain people weren't watching it as a traditional TV channel.

I have to agree with you DTV. I would often dip in and out of the channel through out the day to see what was going on. Whereas I rarely now do. I’ve found some of the opt out feeds almost painful to watch as they repeat the same bit of information. 

LND’s point about the lack of any other news during these opt outs is valid too. If you were to turn on the news during these times you’d be forgiven for thinking that absolutely nothing else was going on in the world. 

I also find the talk about the ticker and lower thirds changes being put in place because of the apparent number of people using their mobile and computers baffling. If I was sat in the garden and I thought id catch up with the news id use my phone. Not once did I ever look at the lower thirds and ticker and think I can’t read that. 

I believed it was only last year or the year before, that there was talk about would the traditional network bulletins on BBC One continue as people were wanting to access the news at a time which was convenient for them. The current set up blows this idea out the water as all we have are 1, 6 and 10 and a channel which if it decides to opt out covers no other stories.

 I know someone will say well there is the website but if that’s the case then you could say that for everyone and could just shut the news channel down totally and just have people sat in little boxes all round NBH doing the hostage look feeds.