Coronavirus | Television News Coverage

And oddly took Joanna Gosling off air for Sophie Raworth to 'announce' it. She wasn't even in vision until the special on BBC One ended and she read the first News Channel link.

The news special at 7pm has always been in the schedule for today

That was very short notice from the BBC, It wasn't in the schedule when I checked at 11am.

The mind boggles with these silly decisions during the times of cuts where they say savings have to be made. Its not like it was announcement of a significant public figure's death.

If they really wanted to use a 'well known' face, Simon McCoy would most likely have already been around or simply rota Sophie or whoever they think constitutes a BBC One face to do the morning News channel slot too.

I'm sure some internal politics were at play!

Or maybe they just felt a moments silence was best treated as more than just an interruption to the rolling news schedule, using a presenter who was likely in the building anyway.

I'm inclined to agree with you Worzel. Raworth could be seen at the 6/10 desk with George Alagiah during the trundle cam shot into The BBC News at One. Makes no sense at all unless she's back at 4pm for the Downing Street briefing with the PM.

God I won’t miss this at all.
The BBC One silence - the 1600 and briefing and the 2200.... I’d call that planning and not a ‘silly’ decision...

Well said - and if I don’t have a chance again, thank you for all the interesting information that you’ve shared with us over the years. It has been very much appreciated.

Do we think that this evening's presser will come from the new briefing room or not?

Well I was wrong. Sorry Mr C! Unlike some in these parts I'm always willing to hold my hands up and admit when I'm put right!

I'm sure you're going to miss it, really. Sending you a big squishy virtual hug (standing up of course).

The special at 7 looks to be coming from B:

Final preparations in Gallery B for tonight’s BBC News Special, Lockdown Live: What Next? With ⁦⁦@TVNaga01⁩ and ⁦@bbcnickrobinson⁩ on ⁦@BBCOne⁩ at 7pm pic.twitter.com/xGHPpPYDG3

— Amrit Singh Cheema (@ascheema) March 23, 2021

I think they are using the gallery for Studio B but it is being presented on location in Newcastle.