[harshy]

If this were true, why would they have so substantially increased the proportion of UK stories featured on the channel (compared to World), frequently giving them prominence over arguably more newsworthy international stories. 

Going by the figures I've seen quoted and in BBC Global News financial reports, I'd estimate it's about 40:60 licence:commercial money.

It’s a fair point and this is what confuses me, it could simply be they are not really sure how this merged channel is supposed to work so not to risk it and alienate Uk viewers completely they’ve gone for a more Uk centric approach then otherwise, and to please advertisers there are offering these programme strands even though it’s just plain old bbc news.