08-01-2024, 01:56 PM
(08-01-2024, 01:23 PM)Stockland Hillman Wrote: The likely double election year plus Olympics in a near local timezone makes it very unlikely the current news channel arrangements can continue throughout 2024
BBC Studios will likely want to superserve the US audience, where there is significant money to.be made in an election year (US has political advertising, which effectively sustains broadcast media. They won't want UK elections and Olympics (where they aren't a rights holder) to damage the commercial potential.
In the UK, they will be looking towards the next government, most likely a Labour one, and would have had corporate lobbying meetings with the Party to understand and influence Labour policy towards the BBC. Politicians most notice media when they do/do not cover their events, which are usually morning launches for the days media grid. It's unlikely that UK Only rolling news isn't restored 9am-1pm - if only becouse from budget onwards we'll have competing party media events/announcements that will require balanced coverage (the "pop up" rolling event coverage model is useless in this case, as everything political requires more complex balance treatments)
So, a much more potential demand for on screen talent, a tense political environment that requires skilled presenters less likely to damage the BBC than inexperienced ones. They have 5 ready made people to drop in, so its an easy win. All they need after at BBC news is to improve the programme producer lineups to match.
The BBC knew all of this when the decision to merge operations was made and the 5 presenters don't each come with the team of people required to produce a separate feed when they're on air, though I do suspect there may he dome off-air staff in similar HR limbo to these, but more likely they've been paid off or reallocated roles.
As much as you're right the news cycle this year means the news channel operation needs to cater to two different audiences I just can't see much changing. At best we may get a UK election focused programme in the mornings (which may or may not be simulcast) but in all honesty I suspect they'll just put the Nicky Campbell phone in back on air to tick that box.