Also, though unsurprisingly, they are using the multicoloured hexagon branding again. It used to be that local elections would use a similar style to that used in the previous general election and then that would be replaced after the next general election. But with the hexagon branding being used across 3 general elections, I suppose it has now become recongnisable as the BBC's election symbol. By my count, this is the ninth outing for it - and that's not including the hexagonal derivatives for the EU referendum or US elections.
Presumably social distancing makes doing more debates with fewer candidates a more attractive option than trying to get everyone together on a single occasion?
In 2016, the London debate was after the News at Ten and only featured the 'leading' candidates (Con, Lab, LD, UKIP, Grn). I expect this time they'd only do four or five parties max, as there are about 20 candidates who've announced an intention to stand.
Other regional debates were also after the News at Ten but varied in length. I suppose it's difficult for the regions as there is no consistency in where these mayoralties are - some regions cover two mayoralty areas, while others cover none.
In 2016, the London debate was after the News at Ten and only featured the 'leading' candidates (Con, Lab, LD, UKIP, Grn). I expect this time they'd only do four or five parties max, as there are about 20 candidates who've announced an intention to stand.
Other regional debates were also after the News at Ten but varied in length. I suppose it's difficult for the regions as there is no consistency in where these mayoralties are - some regions cover two mayoralty areas, while others cover none.
There is always a half hour somewhere that can be opted out of, Monday at 8:30, Tuesday at 8:30, Wednesday at 7:30 are all throwaway programmes at the minute, so regions could opt out of one or more or none
Doing the debate in their own slot has the benefit of not being at risk of being pre empted if there is a ministerial broadcast about Covid, as has happened a couple of times. I suspect those very droppable shows are there for a reason.
Doing the debate in their own slot has the benefit of not being at risk of being pre empted if there is a ministerial broadcast about Covid, as has happened a couple of times. I suspect those very droppable shows are there for a reason.
There's also a higher audience for the 6.30 slot than shoehorning it in a late slot after the Ten.