Feeds my need! (BBC News 24)

Member Name: alirigby

Product:	BBC News 24
Date:	15/05/02 (593 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: To the point, regular updates, well presented

Disadvantages: none

I’m a bit of a news freak, I like to know what’s going on around me and the world and I like to know NOW! So, when I got SKY digital, I was chuffed to have the choice of several rolling news channels to satisfy my need!
There are several news channels available on Digital TV and I’ve tried them all: ITN News, Sky News, cnbceurope, euronews, CNN, and BBC News 24 which is my favourite.

What is it?
BBC News 24, launched in November 1997, is the BBC’s continuous news channel; it provides up-to-the-minute bulletins on the latest news, sport, weather and business news as well as informative programmes covering current affairs and hot issues.

How can I get it?
BBC News 24 is available on digital and cable TV and overnight on BBC One. There is also BBC News Online at their website (http://news.bbc.co.uk/ ) available whenever you want to access it. It is broadcast in widescreen.

What’s good about it?
BBC News 24 is presented in the professional manner expected from the BBC, it is consistent, clear and interactive and therefore far superior to its other competitors. The other benefit is that there are no commercial breaks (although there are sometimes long pauses where you watch seconds count down!).
The channel provides strong UK and World news coverage with correspondents at all relevant locations. News from around the UK regions is incorporated into bulletins as well, although there are no specific regional broadcasts. Complex issues are explained and described in an accessible and clear manner; you do not feel like you are being talked down to!
Breaking news is transmitted very quickly, BBC News 24 announced news of the Potters Bar crash around 20 minutes before other channels last week, they also provided comprehensive and informative coverage of the tragic events on September 11 last year; the channel recently won a special award (Foreign Event Special Award) from the Foreign Press A
ssociation for coverage of these events.
It does not break news until it has had confirmation from 2 independent sources, to prevent mistakes being made (as has been done on other news channels).
Every hour there is a comprehensive news bulletin which covers all the headlines in depth, there are also news summaries on the half hour and headlines every 15 minutes.
Text appears along the bottom of the screen when there is breaking news (like a ticker tape); this keeps you fully up to date with events.
I like the way you can choose which bit of the news to watch on digital TV and the fact that I can switch on at any time of day and find out what’s going on.

Additional Programmes:
There are programmes dedicated to different topics, shown below:
Business - World Business Report, It’s Your Money, Business Today,
Click Online
Personal Finance - It’s Your Money
In depth interviews - Hard Talk
Politics - One to One, Straight Talk, Head to Head
World News - Simpson’s World, USA Direct, Australia Direct,
Correspondent+ daily Asia Today covering events
in South and East Asia.
Europe - Europe Direct, Euro Brief
UK Events - Dateline London
Entertainment - Liquid News, Talking Movies
Travel - Gate 24

One programme I like is ‘Simpson’s World’; John Simpson (a journalist I respect and admire) examines issues from around the world often meeting and interviewing controversial figures. It lasts for half an hour and leaves me feeling a little more educated!
I also like Liquid News, a half hour entertainment news show (also shown on BBC Choice) it’s a light look at the world of celebrity. It was presented by Christopher Price until he tragically and unexpectedly died a few weeks ago; it is still being produced with various presenters at the moment.


Extra Features:
Digital viewers can access News Interactive where you can select
which news videos you want to view and/or watch live events unfold. You can also visit the website on the Internet http://news.bbc.co.uk
Viewers can often use text messages to give their opinions on issues to the channel, they are encouraging viewer interactivity which is a good thing I think to keep people involved with important issues.
Signing and subtitling are also available.

Presenters:
Anna Jones
Matthew Amroliwala
Chris Eakin
Gavin Esler
Joanna Gosling
Carrie Gracie
Philip Hayton
Jane Hill
Chris Lowe
Maxine Mawhinney
Valerie Sanderson
Tim Sebastian
Alastair Yates
Sara Coburn
Declan Curry
John Terrett
Angela Garvey

Correspondents:
Nick Robinson, Political Correspondent who works closely with the rest of the
BBC’s political team
• Brian Hanrahan, Diplomacy and World Affairs
• Russell Hayes, Business
• Daniel Sandford, Health
• Sue Littlemore, Education and Family
• Andy Tighe, Home Affairs
• David Sillito, Arts and Media
• Tom Heap, Environment and Science
• James Pearce, Sports News.

Conclusion:
BBC News 24 is ideal to switch on whenever to bring yourself up to date with current affairs; its presentation is slick and professional and easy to watch.

Additional Information:
Contact BBC News 24:
Address: BBC News 24, BBC Television Centre, London, W12 7RJ.
Email: news24.comments@bbc.co.uk
Telephone: 020 8743 8000 / 0870 0100 222 (BBC Information Line)

Summary: