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PICTURED: presenter Jo Coburn introducing an edition of Politics Live on BBC Two.

Bizarre playout decision by BBC Two

Posted on 25th July 2019 by The Voice
Last updated on 30th December 2022 Filed under Opinion

At 11.30am today, BBC Two and the BBC News Channel were showing a special news programme, covering Boris Johnson’s first appearance at the despatch box as Prime Minister.

At 12.15pm, whilst Boris Johnson was in full flow, responding to questions from Ian Blackford, leader of the Scottish National Party’s parliamentary group in the House of Commons, BBC Two presentation faded to black momentarily and then joined presenter Jo Coburn, for a scheduled edition of Politics Live.

No explanation from the continuity announcer regarding the abrupt termination of the Commons coverage – or so much as a quick pointer in the direction of the BBC News Channel to continue watching the exchanges in Parliament. In fact, no intervention from the continuity announcer at all – not even to introduce the next programme.

Fading to black out of a programme that’s in progress is usually only resorted to when interrupting the schedule to cross to the newsroom for an important news event.

Not sure what the circumstances were to cause BBC Two playout to leave the Commons coverage in this manner. But as a viewer – and yes, also with my presentation enthusiast hat on – this could’ve been handled better.

Here’s how it looked on air:

VIDEO: BBC Two handover from live coverage of Boris Johnson’s first stint at the despatch box as PM to Politics Live. Presenter: Jo Coburn. TX DATE/TIME: 25th July 2019, 12.15pm. COPYRIGHT: BBC.

The transition between programmes attracted some criticism online, including these comments from former BBC presentation director, Chris Cook:

Oh god @BBCTwo that was terrible… #junction #presentation #youhaveannouncers #fadetoblack

Dip and cue the announcer: “To continue to watch turn to BBC News as now we join Jo Coburn for analysis and chat in Politics Live” – V fade to PL – sorted #simple

Once a Pres man always a Pres man…

Chris Cook

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FEATURE IMAGE:

PICTURED: presenter Jo Coburn introducing an edition of Politics Live on BBC Two. COPYRIGHT: BBC.

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Tags: BBC, BBC Politics Live, BBC Two, Playout

Dates for the Diary

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30th/31st January: BBC One East HD and BBC One East Midlands HD launch on satellite.

6th/7th February: BBC One West Midlands HD, BBC One East Yorkshire/Lincolnshire HD and BBC Alba HD launch on satellite. BBC One/Two Wales SD services close on satellite.

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20th/21st February: BBC One North East and Cumbria HD, BBC One North West HD, BBC One Yorkshire HD and BBC Parliament HD launch on satellite. BBC One Scotland SD and BBC Scotland SD services close on satellite.

22nd/23rd February: BBC One South East HD launches on satellite.

February 2023: new set for BBC Midlands Today goes live.

13th February 2023: Sky Kids launches.

Q1 2023: BBC Chameleon branding introduced on air for BBC Weather, CBBC and CBeebies.

April 2023: BBC News Channel and BBC World News merge.

November/December 2023: World Radiocommunications Conference (WRC-23).

Q1 2024: SD versions of BBC channels close on satellite.

2024: BBC Four and CBBC go online-only.

2024: BBC Radio 4 Extra goes online-only.

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