The Eternal Breakfast Debate in a New Place

[Ein Heldenleben]

Private Eye has run regular stories about the integration of news gathering and output in the BBC to achieve the required cost savings. I now hear the same material in the daytime on radio and then see the interview in TV news - not for all subjects though. Its a plan masterminded by Kamal Ahmed Editorial Director of BBC News. My impression (reinforced by WIA) is that BBC News is a fiercely independent fiefdom within the BBC but Davey didn't put a stop to the "go button" which I think was a date in recent months (I'm behind with my Eye reading, apart from the health contributions by MD).

Insiders feel it will be a disaster, but who knows how it will pan out. A wave of departures - some enticed to Times Radio (never listened) as it was no secret what was coming. Today programme R4 lost its dedicated reporters so cannot generate its own stories - Sarah Sands editor decided it was time to "move on" - not that her successor has changed the style to allow interviewees time to give decent replies. Newsnight (BBC2 TV) seems to be hanging on to some reporter resources. Mark Mardell gave an interview on his retirement saying he was relieved to be going, given what was happening.

So generic news and random newscasters could prove to be the future, or it might be temporary because of the restrictions from the Pandemic. I'm glad they are still crediting the studio managers and staff who are turning out and running risks to work in BBC Facilities.

The upshot of today’s pooled bulletin was a piece on Joan Collins’s unpublished autobiography complete with the highly imaginative use of the theme tune from Dynasty. Even the announcer pointed out it has never been played on R3 before. A classic example of a story which will be of little interest to R3 listeners - or indeed R2 - it’s not really a news story more rehashing of a press release .

[french frank]

I'm deaf in one ear at the moment due to wax and that helps too at news bulletin time...

Known as "Nelson's ear"

[Serial_Apologist]

Known as "Nelson's ear"

Well he certainly ain't 'ere!

[oddoneout]

I took the precaution of hiding behind the sofa while listening to the 0800 bulletin - to my admittedly untrained ears, it didn't sound particularly aggressive - but I'm probably further away from Broadcasting House than many of you, and the Irish Sea may have a mellowing effect.

I wondered if it was the excellent Danielle J (sorry can't remember the surname) reading at 8 am. I was in the kitchen at news time but could hear a woman's voice and what she was saying. I thought for a happy minute that normal service had been resumed but then it was 'our correspondent' and my hopes were dashed.

[Nick Armstrong]

Well he certainly ain't 'ere!

Don’t worry ff, ‘e’s perfectly ‘armless

[underthecountertenor]

I wondered if it was the excellent Danielle J (sorry can't remember the surname) reading at 8 am. I was in the kitchen at news time but could hear a woman's voice and what she was saying. I thought for a happy minute that normal service had been resumed but then it was 'our correspondent' and my hopes were dashed.

Danielle Jalowiecka. No, it wasn't. It was the differently wonderfully named Claire Runacres. https://twitter.com/ClareNews2/statu...7Ctwgr%5Etweet

[Serial_Apologist]

Don’t worry ff, ‘e’s perfectly ‘armless

They'll have to find another place to put their anti-Covid vaccine then!

[cloughie]

Danielle Jalowiecka. No, it wasn't. It was the differently wonderfully named Claire Runacres. https://twitter.com/ClareNews2/statu...7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Sounds a good name for a cross country marathon runner!

[Serial_Apologist]

Sounds a good name for a cross country marathon runner!

[hmvman]

Known as "Nelson's ear"

I think in my case it's a "Half Nelson"

[Leinster Lass]

Sounds a good name for a cross country marathon runner!

...or a (probably doomed) Thomas Hardy heroine?

[Nick Armstrong]

They’ve moved back to sharing news with R2 as a result of renewed restrictions on the numbers of staff allowed onsite, and having fewer bulletins overall. I hate this, it smacks to me of a reversal and a defeatist approach when the opposite should be their position. The nation’s broadcaster should be leading its morale not retreating. Obviously the safety of staff is paramount, but so much can be done remotely.

I just heard my first one - they’re dreadful. Turned off half-way through some lengthy clap-trap about Sarah Ferguson which apparently necessitated a special reporter. Seriously: why does R3 need news bulletins at all?

.

(Post copied from another thread - thanks to Leinster Lass for reminding me the main discussion was here)

[Frances_iom]

... Turned off half-way through some lengthy clap-trap about Sarah Ferguson which apparently necessitated a special reporter. ...

Isn't the real problem being who selects such items as important and that 'specialised' Royalty staff are still employed when there are cuts in much more important areas - though I guess it takes the mind of the populace off the 1500+ daily deaths (which will get worse in next few days).

[Bax-of-Delights]

While I can stomach most Breakfast weekday programmes I have found that the Saturday version has become totally unlistenable. Quite apart from Elizabeth Alker’s “Blue Peter” style of presentation which sounds as if she is talking to 5 year olds, her irritating burble-speak, the mispronunciation of “says” (sayz), the insistence on telling us who has texted and what they are eating for breakfast, the overhyping of ambient music that was already old hat in the 70’s - all of this is put into the shade by her excitement at today’s “sound” of a child masticating a chocolate egg.

Beginning the day by shouting SHUT UP! at the radio before switching it off is not conducive.

[rauschwerk]

While I can stomach most Breakfast weekday programmes I have found that the Saturday version has become totally unlistenable. Quite apart from Elizabeth Alker’s “Blue Peter” style of presentation which sounds as if she is talking to 5 year olds, her irritating burble-speak, the mispronunciation of “says” (sayz), the insistence on telling us who has texted and what they are eating for breakfast, the overhyping of ambient music that was already old hat in the 70’s - all of this is put into the shade by her excitement at today’s “sound” of a child masticating a chocolate egg.

Beginning the day by shouting SHUT UP! at the radio before switching it off is not conducive.

I don't mind 'sayz' but with every other point I totally agree! Who the hell wants to hear the amplified sounds of someone else eating when they themselves are doing just that?