Flying solo
| 17:05 UK time, Monday, 15 October 2007
We've announced today that George Alagiah will, from November, be the sole presenter of the Six O'Clock News bulletin. We've decided to make the change following Natasha Kaplinsky's departure from the 91Èȱ¬ last week.
George is, obviously, a hugely well-known and well-respected journalist, who brings vast amounts of experience and tremendous versatility to the programme - he's as comfortable with reporting from scenes of flood devastation as he is reporting from Downing Street. The six o'clock bulletin has a special remit to report fully stories from around the UK, and we'll be working closely with George to fulfil this objective.
Additionally, it's fair to say that the move allows us to make better use of our resources - but not at the cost of detracting from the core values of the bulletin.
Comments
Yet more cost-cutting is it? Why doesn’t Mark Thompson just scrap news altogether, although obliviously it would be far better if he just scrapped himself and his huge pay packet.
Why on earth is there this obsession with developing journalists into media celebrities ? Some of Alagiah's comments betray a smug big-headedness which seems absent from radio journalists [with the possible exception of Jim Naughtie].
I imagine that if shared a cab with Eddie Mair he might have a passing interest in what I had to say. If I shared a cab with George Alagiah his main topic of conversation might be, er, George Alagiah.
Have you finally taken notice of the viewers then? We had the standing abandoned, then NK leaves (hooray), which saves you £125K per year, but also leaves one presenter, who has presence and authority.
So, what happens to the NK-based "news for yoof" at 8pm. You could do the hat-trick and dump that too. If they want celeb led news read by someone with no authority, viewers can switch to 5 now. (ho, ho).
Now, you could have thought of all this long ago, but it seems a mix of NK's departure and Govt limits on the licence fee forced your hand. So, come on then, what do the 91Èȱ¬ management do for their corn?
Discourse Management rules OK as Noam Chomsky says.
Never mind George porgy being 'comfortable' in a variety of reporting situations, set him down in the midst of the peaceful JANADESH march, currently plodding its way, with practically NO world media coverage from Gwalior to Delhi. 30 days for 25 thousand of the poorest people in the world, on the road in an attempt to sway Indian gov policies on Land and Livelihood.
BOLLYWOOD - it 'aint!! Is that a problem for you guys? Or perhaps a challenge? I mean we don't want to get thrown out (again)of the land of cheap and colorful stories - do we?
You got at least another 15 days! Even if just convince one erstwhile Beeb Fan (R4 of course) that someone reads this site?
Glad to read this. I'm sure all those cosy asides and cringeworthy smiles that dual presenters used to swap were haemorraghing viewers, at least viewers who weren't looking for their news to be delivered in tweedledee format.
George is an extremely gifted and experienced journalist and I've often felt he wasn't being fully utilised in his role. Hopefully by going solo, he can now restore some respect to this once respected slot, and I may start tuning back in on a regular basis.
The best news I heard in a long time. Can you keep him sitting down please.
I agree with Steve (#1). I never saw the point of having two presenters for standard TV news programmes. Cringeworthy is the right word!
It's different when it's a current affairs programme with multiple live interviews like Today on Radio 4 but totally unnecessary for TV news.
And please ask the presenters to stop thanking reporters fulsomely for routine live on-site interviews. They're getting well paid for this, not giving up their time from other jobs! Just a name-check will suffice.
Are you only printing comments in this thread if they are full of sycophantic praise for George Alagiah ?
Agree with no. 1. about the tweedledee format, although I prefer 'Pinky and Perky' as an analogy.
Any chance of doing the same with Breakfast? But who to get rid off? So many candidates...
Glad to see that you're reverting to straight forward news presentation. There's nothing worse than watching someone at one moment delivering difficult news topics and then seeing adverts straight after showing the presenter going through their paces for "Strictly Come Dancing". Let's hope George doesn't start appearing on "Ready Steady Cook".
Nice tie! Cool $uit! Unlike his media cousins in the United $tates... I hope that Mr. Alagiah will not become a talking airhead giving us corp-rat newes propagan-duh! The media here across the pond is abysmal. It is why so many Amerikans are ignorant of the world.
Glad to hear it - NK was too much celebrity and not enough professional jounalist to warrant her role on the flagship news programme. I'm sure George will live up to his billing as sole anchorman. Now please apply the same sort of thinking elsewhere!
Please give Geo my best wishes. I got used to seeing him on 91Èȱ¬ America doing the morning news. I'll miss him.
I still cannot see the point of interviewing a live presenter, on location, in early morning total darkness, only to have him, ten seconds later, link the viewers to an interview which he did the day before in broad daylight!! Point? How much to have a crew cover those ten second slots in the dark?? Loony!
Its nice to know about Kaplinsky's departure, maybe the Beeb will save a lot of money considering the ridiculously high salaries they pay their news reporters.
Please do the same for Breakfast. They all talk over each other and are rude to guests..and are forever stating their own opinions..
PS How about turning down the music on all programs...
No more stupid two Ronnies variety act? Now all you need to do is watch Euronews and see how its done properly!