Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise

Do we need a 24 hour TV news service on the BBC

(8 Posts)
Add comment | Report
NannyState Thu 08-Dec-11 20:21:00

In this time of austerity and budget cuts at the BBC what is the point of running a 24 hours TV news service. Surely a half hour/whole hour bulletin in the morning, lunchtime and in the evening would be sufficient (pretty much as we have on BBC Radio). This would probably save millions (in flights and hotel bills alone) It would stop some of the doom and gloom created by overpaid reporters (inacurately mostly) second guessing what usually transpires to be non events. It would stop overpaid news editors transforming minor incidents into headline events just to fill time. It also may stop terrorists seeking and getting publicity for their atrocities via this medium. There is round the clock news on most commercial channels, why do we as licence fee payers need to fund this nonsense. Some may remember BBC jounalists going on strike a few months ago. It was a day of bliss and entertainment on our state owned TV medium.

The BBC are currently consulting on various cost saving options for change, they have not even put this cost saving option on the table. WHY?

Add comment | Report
Annobel Thu 08-Dec-11 20:41:05

NannyState, I agree with a lot of what you say. One thing that bugs me is the number of correspondents they have in the same places - for radio and TV. Could they not combine them? Or are the radio ones not sufficiently photogenic? [fconfused?]

Add comment | Report
Annobel Thu 08-Dec-11 20:42:04

I mean confused?

Add comment | Report
kittylester Fri 09-Dec-11 08:16:48

We are news junkies so, from an entirely personal point of view, yes! But I do agree about the seemingly unnecessary number of people involved. I have noticed some crossover of reports, though, between radio and tv, maybe , as part of the economies, that could become a normal thing.

Add comment | Report
harrigran Fri 09-Dec-11 09:47:43

In a word NO

Add comment | Report
starrygal Fri 09-Dec-11 10:32:05

I was going to have a rant here, but NannyState has already said everything I want to say, so all I can say is "ditto".
and
NO!

Add comment | Report
Granny23 Fri 09-Dec-11 10:33:42

I do not have a problem with the 24 hour service as you can dip in whenever you have time rather than having to watch gruesome news at meal times. What I, as a license payer, object to is the needless sending out of crew and reporter to stand outside an empty court building to report on a trial, to Downing Street because an announcement is expected, outside the Houses of Parliament being drowned out with traffice noise, standing at a Police barrier a mile from the incident and yesterday several of them standing out in howling gales to tell us this or that bridge is shut which we already knew. If you think about it the 'news' they are reporting must have been relayed to them from the news studio for them to report back. There is no way they can gather information on the spot.

I used to be friendly with the local BBC radio reporter, who was called upon from time to time to do a TV report if something big happened locally. She always stood BEHIND the camera while the footage concentrated on the incident or the person with a tale to tell.

Add comment | Report
Annobel Fri 09-Dec-11 10:54:18

I agree - why have a reporter standing outside 10 Downing Street to tell us that Cameron had gone to Brussels?

Page 1 of 1
Flip | Customise