BBC Newzzzzzzzz 24 (BBC News 24)

Member Name: W Shakespeare

Product:	BBC News 24
Date:	18/06/01 (23 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: No Extra Charge

Disadvantages: Dull sets, Dull presenters, Dull interviews

If BBC News 24 were a horse, it would be dog food by now.

Some say its gets its name from the number of seconds the average viewer stays with the channel before flicking to something more interesting. Like the Open University. Or it could be average number of viewers (on a good day).

I work in a Government Press Office, where unfortunately I often have to endure round-the-clock BBC News 24 on the Press Office televisions.

First of all, BBC News 24 suffers from being the poor relation of the BBC empire in terms of status. Unless you are a desperate, publicity-hungry megalomaniac (which admittedly many politicians are) you'll only appear on BBC News 24 if you are very desperate or very uninteresting - or both.

As a consequence, BBC News 24 don't always get the interviews that Sky or maybe ITN would deliver (oops, slipping into politician speak). In my experience they also have no facilities for pre-recorded interviews, which means the viewer may have very little notice of when a key interview is taking place. That's if anyone's watching apart from journalists and press officers.

Sky and ITN's news channels simply shout dynamism and urgency, helped admittedly by the use of some dramatic music and titles, but then news is entertainment. Just because the BBC don't have the worry of advertising revenue is no excuse for a dreary presentational style and a lethargic delivery.

The only plus point is that the BBC don't charge for the service, however, any serious newshound would be better off with Sky News, even if it does cost a few pennies.

The most worrying thing is that the channel has had some time to develop, but is seemingly resisting change. When will the BBC realise that news doesn't have to be this depressing?

Still, it could be worse. You could be watching BBC Parliament...

Summary: