Serious News at the Beeb (Ten O'Clock (BBC))

Member Name: JB01

Product:	Ten O'Clock (BBC)
Date:	31/05/06 (116 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Free and easily available

Disadvantages: ?

There are 3 main weekday sessions 13.00 Hrs start, 18.00 Hrs start, 22.00 Hrs. A further afternoon session at 15.20 hrs. The quality of the news is considered to be of the finest in the world. I suspect the funding of the BBC helps avoid the pitfalls of pandering to more commercial interests that commercial TV stations may face.

13.00 - 13.30 Hrs

The main body of the news programme is concerned with national news. This is followed by national weather. The last 10 minutes are set aside for a sub programme concerned with local news - in my case London.

The national news was read by 1 presenter a female, I’ve noticed an increasing use of female presenters (which is fine by me - I am heterosexual). The programme normally starts with a TOP STORY often of national interest followed by smaller items.

Today’s headlines include commentary on Tax credits following an overpayment to recipients of almost £2bn. This was followed up with a general critique of the system. Pieces on the Indonesian earthquake, patient choice in the NHS and the rights of unmarried couples.

An interesting short piece was concerned with celebration of the Battle of Jutland over 90 years ago. Pictures of a 110-year-old veteran on HMS Belfast are shown.

The final slot is taken by the weather. This was presented by a female. This starts with the outlook for the afternoon today followed by predictions for the evening and tonight. Finally some suggest of what is on offer from above tomorrow. The graphics of the UK projected behind the weathercaster are a useful aid to assimilating the weather data.

18.00 - 19.00 Hrs

This evenings HEADLINES much the same as mid day. News from Iraq & Iran. Anti social behaviour, the Criminal Justice Act and a knife amnesty. Unlike the mid day session this broadcast has 2 presenters they sit behind a round desk. There are pictures and commentary from around the globe.

Towards the end of the first part we have a SPECIAL REPORT today we here about Zimbabwe and poverty. Finally a weather report as before (mid day session).

At about 18.30 Hrs we turn to local news from around the UK. In London the programme was presented by a white female seated on a bench - a slightly more casual approach. A report from the City of London and foreign ownership in the capital. A report on the World Cup (football) in the City soon & anti - social behaviour. Finally from the banks of the Thames the weather which looks ahead with prediction until Friday. The last section returns to National NEWS at HQ and a summary of the main items.

22.00 Hrs - 22.30 Hrs

A white female tonight read the news one of our national treasures Fiona Bruce. Its presentation was similar to earlier sessions today. National Headlines for national TV. More in depth reporting about Iran and nuclear developments. A long report on electronic waste (TVs & computers) & its illegal export for recycling mainly to China. Followed by local news broadcasters, London in my case - they have started to use channel 5 news and weather presenters both national and local with predictions as far ahead as Friday.

***MY OPINION***

I found watching all 3 sessions in 1 day a bit much, but it is nice to know that you can switch on at selected hours and catch up with today’s news events world wide (very little changed through out the day). It’s good to see a wide variety of newsreaders both gender and colour. I think the quality of BBC news reporting is still a cut above most commercial TV in the UK, the show depends less on the entertainment factor more on the quality of the news. The fact that is free also helps. Check it out.

Summary: Global News from a company with a reputation yo think of.