• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Clean Feed

Clean Feed

  • Timeline
  • News
  • Opinion
  • PresWatch
  • Bloopers
  • News+
  • Resources
  • Rewind
  • Showreel
  • Studio A
  • TX
  • Webfax

Recent tweaks to BBC One news presentation

Posted on 9th October 2023
By Andrew Nairn
Last updated on 9th October 2023
Filed under Opinion

Has there been a subtle change in the presentation of the main BBC News programmes on BBC One?

An observant viewer may have noticed a little trend in recent weeks.

There have been a number of occasions when the presenter has delivered the top story from behind the desk.

It had become standard practice in recent years for the opening link to be delivered standing – usually at the studio column known as the “tower”.

There have also been occasions in the past few weeks when the opening headlines have been delivered seated.

VIDEO: opening links on the BBC News at Six over the last few weeks. Presenters: Sophie Raworth; Reeta Chakrabart; Jane Hill. TX DATE: September/October 2023. COPYRIGHT: BBC.

One of the beauties of live broadcasting is that subtle changes can be made quickly. As far as we know, there were no exceptional or technical factors to blame for the decision to keep the presenter seated.

So what do standing links achieve?

There are two main ways in which standing links can enhance a news programme.

Firstly, the presenter can interact with the graphics – just like a reporter night. This can be more visually engaging than simply cutting up the graphics with the presenter out of vision.

Secondly, these links can showcase particularly striking or dramatic images or photojournalism.

This is not 1970. There is nothing wrong in principle with delivering links in these ways.

But it is also very important to avoid falling into traps.

Presentation cannot simply become gimmickry and it is important not to develop habits too. Does the top story actually have to be delivered in a particular manner or has that just become the cliche?

If things are moved around a bit each day, the presentation of the programme becomes more interesting.

Let the stories determine how the links should be presented – not predetermined notions of the format.

Related

Acknowledgements

Related

FEATURE IMAGE:

PICTURED: Sophie Raworth presenting the BBC News at Six. COPYRIGHT: BBC.

Related

Related

Sidebar

Tags: BBC, BBC News, Jane Hill, Reeta Chakrabarti, Sophie Raworth

Follow Us on Bluesky

Bluesky is the only social media platform where you'll find regular updates from The TV Room.

You'll find us here.

Pres Café Forum



Join in the discussion about TV presentation and branding.

TV Pres Updates



The latest updates from a number of presentation-related websites.

Latest updates over on: Rewind

Scotland Today Headlines and Scottish TV continuity (13th October 1998)

Scotland Today Headlines and Scottish TV continuity (13th October 1998)

Channel 4 closedown including programme promotion for My Left Foot (20th March 1992)

Channel 4 closedown including programme promotion for My Left Foot (20th March 1992)

About This Site · Contact Us · FAQ · Privacy Policy · Terms and Conditions

Unless otherwise indicated material featured on this site is © 2025 The TV Room.

Established in 1999, The TV Room is not affiliated with any broadcaster, production company or design/marketing/talent agency.

Back to top