[interestednovice]

I agree with all of this!

Firstly, you would expect emails like that to be sent about all sorts of things - if nothing else, as others have said, so the government can legitimately look like they are doing something. It also sets up the idea that ministers can say “that’s a matter for the BBC, but we have expressed our concerns”: basically two birds with one stone as they claim both that they are on top of it and, simultaneously, that it’s not really anything to do with government.

Studio B is almost certain to be used, as it’s easy to set up for an election mode with limited set modifications similar to how they add in features for Laura K’s Sunday programme. I would expect graphics templates and so on to be ready now in case an election is announced at short notice.

I also think the black straps on the NC looked far better, but another thing which is far worse than previously is the single line strap. The graphics were so much more informative before. To have a headline burnt-in to your TV with a huge red strap is, I agree, an insult to the viewer.