The final editions of the BBC’s Cambridge and Oxford TV news programmes were broadcast this evening at 6.30pm on BBC One.
In the final moments of the Oxford programme, longstanding presenter Geraldine Peers thanked viewers for their stories and for their support.
“You have been the best audience a presenter could ask for.
“It’s felt like I’ve been talking to friends every night, and thank you for letting me into your homes probably twice a day for the last 21-and-a-half years.”
Geraldine also told viewers that she had no alternative employment lined up.
Unusually, for a BBC news programme, the final BBC South Today from Oxford ended with a one-minute credit sequence, name-checking the entire team.
At the end of the final Cambridge edition of BBC Look East, an emotional Janine Machin thanked viewers for their time and sharing their stories.
She went on: “It has been an absolute privilege to serve Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and the Three Counties.”
“So, for one last time, from all of us here – thank you for your company. Have a great Christmas. Goodnight.”
A BBC spokesperson said: “We’re really proud of all of our regional TV programmes, including our Look East bulletins from Cambridge and South Today in Oxford which have served viewers brilliantly and produced great journalism over the years.
“We are working closely with all of our colleagues who are directly affected by our proposals and will continue to do so into the new year.
“The media landscape is changing quickly and we need to make some difficult choices as we adapt our services in line with our audiences expectations as they seek more and more content on our digital platforms.
“Despite the loss of the dedicated TV bulletin, we will continue to deliver outstanding television, radio and digital journalism across the east and south of England.”
Acknowledgements
PICTURED: endboard from the final edition of BBC South Today (Oxford). COPYRIGHT: BBC.