[Keith]

I feel that's what will eventually happen, the penny must have dropped now with those in charge. If you're having to opt out to a UK feed more often than not, and need a studio set up with a presenter, you might as well just run a scheduled programme just for UK news. I'd also argue you might slot in 2 hours in the afternoon. On days with heavy domestic news you can opt out over the international hours, and if not you just stick to 3 hours in the morning and 2 in the afternoon.

The move will essentially be back to two separate news channels, but with more shared programs with World than you had previously. I fail to see how given the regular UK opt outs anyway it would really add much cost and would better provide for both audiences.

For a UK viewer this would then give you (domestic highlighted in bold):

6 - 9: Breakfast
9 - 12: UK News
12 - 13 : World News 
13 - 13:45 : 1 O'Clock News
13:45 - 15 : World News
15 - 17 : UK News
17 - 18 : World News
18 - 19 : 6 O'Clock News
19 - 20 : World News
20 - 22 : The Context
22 - 22:30 : 10 O'Clock News
22:30 - 23:10 : Newsnight
23:10 - : Newsday

Ref the above it's worth noting that currently the BBC are looking at extending Breakfast (unknown if that's to 9.30 or 10am), and extending the News at 1 to an hour.

If that happens without any other changes you'd get the following.

[*]6 - 9.30/10: Breakfast
[*]9.30/10-11: 5 Live (assuming simulcast continues)
[*]11-13: BBC News (currently merged service)
[*]13 - 14 : 1 O'clock News (presumably with additional content during regional opt-out)
[*]14 - 18: BBC News (currently merged service)
[*]18 - 19 : 6 O'clock News


With that in mind arguably there's the opportunity for two UK-opt out chunks.

[*]9.30/10am to 1pm: (3hr or 3.5hr)
[*]2 to 6pm: (4hr)

In theory this would only require two presenters/reporters plus gallery staff, and if needed they could still opt for a joint service for the 5pm hour.

I doubt any such changes will happen until September at the earliest, and it's quite possible they might wait until next April due to the financial year.  In my opinion having 9am until 11am as a UK-opt or UK focussed programme would be an improvement on regularly opting away from Nicky Campbell.  By all means keep the 5Live simulcast, but only have it on BBC Two where it could be shown in full.