Rather enjoying this, I think they’ve found a gap in the market. A few times recently I’ve tuned into Five Live when there’s been fairly big political news to find them running with commentary of rugby or football or something. I tend to then turn to LBC but there’s only so many people ringing in to complain about foreigners I can tolerate.
I do wonder if they'll end up making the station available on TV. I understand that might be a challenge on Freeview, but surely it's possible on satellite and Virgin Media.
Does radio have to play by the same rules as TV?
I don't know. If that is the case, then I would've thought that it would have caused LBC issue by now.
Rules on impartiality are the same on radio and TV. LBC gets away with having opinionated presenters because, they claim, other presenters’ differing opinions provide the balance.
When the UK held its breath the other weekend for a rare Saturday Commons sitting, no BBC station was carrying continuous coverage. Radio 4 held its schedule and 5 live dipped in and out of annoyingly important sports fixtures. There was a burst of Commons coverage mid afternoon in between two games, but suddenly adjourning critical political commentary just because there's a kick off is rather like match coverage opting out before the final whistle. When 5 live is on the job, it’s great - and Chris Mason typically rose to the challenge on a subsequent occasion - but a station that ever tells a listener 'Sorry, I'm too busy' when they ask for the news will never attain the desired reputation.
I was driving that Saturday afternoon and was surprised that neither Radio 4 or 5 Live had live coverage. Hopefully LBC News will come in handy in the future if they can cover events like this when the BBC can't.
LBC London News that Saturday was live until 6pm and dipped into the Commons feed when required. So the presenter who was covering that shift had to make the editorial decision himself when to go across or go to another story. But they covered the votes in full.
LBC London News that Saturday was live until 6pm and dipped into the Commons feed when required. So the presenter who was covering that shift had to make the editorial decision himself when to go across or go to another story. But they covered the votes in full.
I spent the day doing some DIY, LBC struck just the right balance between the Commons feed and studio comment. Holding a hammer while listening helped too
John Stratford is presenting 4-7 today. Whilst the station has gotten off to a good start, it is slightly annoying how Ian Payne is only hosting 3 days a week. I understand that he has commitments at ITV News and LBC (proper), but it would be nice to have another regular name, as opposed to the rather vague "LBC reporters". I'd also extend that to weekends as well. I get that the station in it's current form is still in it's infancy, but it's just something to hope for in the future.
