| Breakfast | |
|---|---|
| Format | News, Business, Sport, Weather, Culture |
| Presented by | Bill Turnbull Sian Williams Susanna Reid Charlie Stayt |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 12 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 195 minutes |
| Broadcast | |
| Original channel | BBC One BBC News channel BBC One HD |
| Picture format | 576i (SDTV) 1080i (HDTV) |
| Audio format | Dolby Digital 5.1 |
| Original run | 2 October 2000 – present |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Breakfast News |
| Related shows | BBC News at One, BBC News at Five BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten BBC Weekend News |
| External links | |
| Website | |
BBC Breakfast is the morning television news programme simulcast on BBC One and the BBC News channel. It is presented live from BBC Television Centre in White City, West London, and contains a mixture of news, sport, weather, business and feature items. The programme is broadcast seven days a week, every week of the year, including weekends and public holidays, when it is presented from the BBC News channel set.[1]
Alison Ford, previously the UK Editor for BBC Newsgathering, is the current Editor of the programme,[2] following the departure of David Kermode to Five News.
Contents |
The BBC's first breakfast programme was originally called Breakfast Time and was conceived as the BBC's answer to TV-am's plans for breakfast television. Breakfast Time was first broadcast on 17 January 1983, with Frank Bough, Selina Scott, Nick Ross and Russell Grant. The relaxed feel to the programme included a set designed to be a front room, with red leather sofas, and Bough and Ross wore jumpers and open-necked shirts which added to the air of informality. The first producer, Ron Neil, created a mix of serious news and accessible features, and the BBC show was a huge hit. The programme lasted 2 and a half hours, initially being transmitted between 6.30am and 9am, moving to a 6.50am to 9.20am slot on 18 February 1985.
After Ron Neil's departure the programme took a more traditional and formal approach with the change being introduced on 10 November 1986. Presenters included Kirsty Wark, John Stapleton, Jeremy Paxman and Sally Magnusson. The programme was shorter in length, beginning at 7am and the end time varied from 8.30am to 8.55am.
On 2 October 1989 the programme was renamed Breakfast News and followed a much more authoritative tone with a desk modelled on the style used on main news bulletins. The programme began at the earlier time of 6.30am although much of the first half hour was devoted to business news. At the start of 1993, the business news became an hour-long programme in its own right, beginning at the earlier time of 6am. Breakfast News started at the later time of 7am.
A further relaunch came on 2 October 2000 with the establishment of Breakfast, merging the operations of the separate BBC One and BBC News 24 (now the BBC News Channel) programmes for one single simulcast. Since April 2006 the BBC News Channel has begun rolling news coverage at 08:30 while the programme continues on BBC One until 09:15.
The current presentation of the programme was introduced with a wider relaunch of BBC One news bulletins on 2 May 2006. Breakfast moved into studio N6 at Television Centre with the other BBC One bulletins requiring a new, larger set design. The new set walls are made up of Barco video screens allowing for different backgrounds, graphics and still photographs. Initially the background used were of cirrus clouds on a blue sky but following comments from viewers that this was too cold, the background was replaced by orange squares from the new titles. This was also designed to hide any joins or faults between the screens which had been made obvious beforehand. The set has a generic format which can be used for other programmes like the national news bulletins with very little set movement.
The programme celebrated its 25th anniversary on 17 January 2008.[3]
On 28 January 2008, Breakfast returned to the TC7 studios, where Breakfast Time had been based after its move from the BBC Lime Grove Studios. It has remained in the studio ever since. On 2 March 2009, Breakfast relaunched with a new set and new background to the studio. The backdrop resembles the BBC News channel backdrop as do the new Breakfast titles.
In July 2010 the BBC announced that Breakfast was moving to their new studios in Salford Quays.[4] The decision has proved unpopular with some of the presenters and staff on the programme as this will require them to relocate.[5][6]
In March 2011, the BBC announced co-presenter Sian Williams and sports presenter Chris Hollins would not be moving to Salford with Breakfast in April 2012.[7]
On 12 December 2011 the press announced that Louise Minchin would become a main presenter of BBC Breakfast when the programme moves to Manchester, along with current main presenters Bill Turnbull, Susanna Reid and Charlie Stayt. However Minchin and Stayt will not receive a 'relocation package' from the BBC as they are both freelancers. This is not yet confirmed by the BBC.[8]
From 08:30 the tone of the programme shifts to a lighter tone. There is a sports bulletin followed by items that are mainly arts, entertainment or cultural in nature and in 2006, included interviews with Halle Berry,[9] Sir Michael Caine[10] and Reese Witherspoon.[11] This provides a link to the daytime schedule, via the daytime controller and also the BBC One Controller.
In January 2011, actor Harrison Ford appeared on the programme to speak about his role as a breakfast television presenter in film Morning Glory.[12][13] During his appearance on Breakfast he presented a link to the regional news.[14]
On Saturdays and Sundays the programme broadcasts from the BBC News channel studio. It is simulcast on the BBC News channel and BBC One on both days, lasting until 10:00 on Saturdays, and until 09:00 on Sundays, although on Sundays in the football season the programme ends on BBC One at 07:35 to make way for the repeat of Match of the Day from the evening before, while Breakfast continues until 09:00 on the BBC News channel.
At weekends the programme includes a newspaper review with a guest reviewer at 07:20 and 08:20, as well as interludes from BBC News Channel segments such as Click and Newswatch.
On Sundays, the female presenter leaves the programme 15 minutes before conclusion to move to another studio in which she presents two news bulletins during the following programme, The Andrew Marr Show.
Christmas 2010
At Christmas in 2010, BBC Breakfast featured a version of Come Dine With Me with the show's presenters as contestants. Sian Williams and Bill Turnbull cooked against Charlie Stayt and Susanna Reid. At Bill's house, he and Sian cooked goats' cheese for the starter, roast salmon for the main course and apple crumble for dessert. They were awarded 18 points, with Charlie giving them 8 and Susanna awarding 10. Then, on Christmas Eve, Susanna and Charlie cooked at Susanna's house. They cooked cheese tarts for the starter, prawn and mango curry for the main course and chocolate torte for dessert. They were also awarded 18 points, with both presenters giving them 9. However as Bill broke one of Susanna's wine glasses Susanna and Charlie were the winners.
Also on Christmas Eve the background of the studio changed from a newsroom to people walking in snow. They had rock choir on set, singing Christmas songs.
On 23 December, Chris Hollins and Carol Kirkwood presented from Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, London.
Breakfast is a highly interactive programme and viewers are encouraged to send in their views by telephone, text, e-mail, or via Facebook and Twitter.[15] Video reports and interviews from the programme are made available on the Breakfast Facebook page after transmission.
| Years | Presenter | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2007 | Bill Turnbull | Friday-Sunday presenter |
| 2007–present | Monday-Thursday presenter | |
| 2001–2004 | Sian Williams | Friday-Sunday presenter |
| 2004–2012 | Monday-Thursday presenter | |
| 2004–present | Susanna Reid | Friday–Sunday presenter; Monday–Thursday relief presenter Reid does not present on Saturday or Sunday when Sunday Morning Live is airing |
| 2006–present | Charlie Stayt | |
| 2006–present | Louise Minchin | Regular relief presenter |
| 2005–present | Kate Silverton | |
| 2009–present | Naga Munchetty | |
| 2009–present | Jon Kay | |
| 2009–present | Nicholas Owen | Occasional relief presenter |
| 2011–present | Tony Livesey | |
| 2011–present | Sally Nugent |
As well as presenting from the studio, the main presenters are called upon to present on location when major stories break. For example, Bill Turnbull presented live from King's Cross in the aftermath of the 7 July 2005 London bombings, while Sian Williams reported live from the scene of the Indian earthquake in 2005. In 2008 Bill Turnbull reported live from Washington DC for the US Presidential Elections. On 3 June 2010, Turnbull presented live from the village of Whitehaven, following the Cumbria shootings the previous day.
During September 2009, Kate Silverton presented from Lashkar Gah, Afghanistan. Silverton[16][17] and Susanna Reid have presented from the Academy Awards Ceremony.[18][19]
During the party conference season, one of the main presenters will host the programme from the conference site. In September 2009, Bill Turnbull presented live from Brighton for the Liberal Democrats Conference, while a year later he presented from their party conference in Liverpool and the Labour Conference in Manchester. Sian Williams presented from the Labour and Conservative Party Conferences in September 2009, while in October 2010 she presented from the Tory Conference in Birmingham.[20]
When a major political story breaks, Breakfast has a presenter bringing the morning news on location. Dermot Murnaghan has presented from the election campaign from Bristol,[21] while on 6 April 2010, Sian Williams presented from Westminster in the run up to the announcement of the 2010 General Election.[22] In April and May 2010 Bill Turnbull presented and reported from up and down the country following the parties on the campaign trail.[23][24][25] On 30 April 2010, Charlie Stayt presented the programme from the University of Birmingham following the final leaders debate of the election campaign. On 12 May 2010, the day after David Cameron became Prime Minister, Williams presented the programme from College Green, Westminster, while Turnbull presented from outside 10 Downing Street. On the day Chancellor George Osborne unveiled his spending review, in October 2010, Williams was back at Westminster, presenting from College Green.[26]
On 27 July 2010, Turnbull presented from the Olympic Park in Stratford, East London to mark two years until the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.[27] Chris Hollins presented the sports news from the same location.[27]
The National Union of Journalists called a 48-hour strike among BBC staff beginning 5 November 2010.[28] This caused disruption to BBC News services and affected television and radio output. On 5 November, the programme was presented solely by former Meridian Tonight presenter Gavin Grey,[29] while the following day regular weekend host Charlie Stayt was joined by East Midlands Today presenter Anne Davies.[30]
Further strikes took place on 15 July and 1 August 2011. The first was presented again by Gavin Grey and the latter by Charlie Stayt.
Sports updates are presented from the studio at 06:10, 06:35, 07:35 and 08:35. On occasions live sports updates are broadcast from sporting locations, such as Royal Ascot and Wimbledon, with the presenter interviewing key sporting figures. BBC News Channel sports presenters cover for the below:
| Years | Presenter | Current role |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2012 | Chris Hollins | Monday–Thursday presenter |
| 2005–present | Mike Bushell | Friday–Saturday presenter Monday–Thursday relief presenter |
| 2010–present | Amanda Davies | Monday–Sunday relief presenter |
From 26 May 2009, Business updates are presented from the BBC Breakfast Studio at 06:10, when the main business stories from the newspapers are discussed, and at 06:50, 07:20 and 07:50 - with the latest business stories and FTSE figures.
| Years | Presenter | Current role |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–present | Steph McGovern | Monday-Friday presenter |
| 2011–present | Penny Haslam | Main Relief Presenter |
| 2011–present | Ben Thompson | Main Relief Presenter |
The national weather is broadcast at --:15 and --:45 minutes throughout the programme. From March 2010, the weather has been presented from the Breakfast studio, at TC7 in Television Centre having previously come from the Blue Peter Garden. Weather forecasts are also broadcast live from certain events such as the Chelsea Flower Show, Royal Ascot, and Wimbledon. On 27 July 2010, Carol Kirkwood presented the weather forecasts from Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the Olympic sailing venue, to mark two years until the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Summer Olympics.[27] BBC Weather Centre presenters cover for the below:
| Years | Presenter | Current role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998–present | Carol Kirkwood | Monday–Friday Presenter |
| 2010–present | Chris Fawkes | Alternative Saturday-Sunday Presenter |
| 2011–present | Sarah Keith Lucas | Alternative Saturday-Sunday Presenter |
| 2004–present | Matt Taylor | Relief Presenter (Weekdays) |
| 2007–present | Alex Deakin |
The below reporters are a dedicated team of journalists whom work specifically for BBC Breakfast. Various BBC News reporters are also seen on the programme.[31]
| Years | Presenter | Current role |
|---|---|---|
| 2009–present | Jenny Hill | North of England Correspondent |
| 2010–present | Phil Lavelle | General Correspondent |
| Tim Muffett | ||
| Graham Satchell | ||
| Richard Westcott | ||
| Ben Wright | Political Correspondent |
In September 2006, Breakfast launched its own video podcast called the Breakfast Takeaway. BBC News had already launched three other services: Newsnight, the Ten O'Clock News and STORYFix (also previously shown on television at weekends on News 24).[32] The Breakfast Takeaway was available Monday to Friday in MP4 format where it could be downloaded to and viewed from a home or office computer.
The video podcasts were a one year trial, and from July 2007 they were discontinued. The BBC then reviewed the trial but the podcast has not been continued.
In 2003, the Breakfast production team was commissioned by BBC One to make a week long series called The Day Team From Chatsworth presented by Nicki Chapman, and presenter of the BBC's Countryfile programme, John Craven. It took a behind the scenes look at the stately home Chatsworth House [33] and was broadcast separately on BBC One at 1030 in the morning.
A number of other guests, or celebrity presenters have been used on Breakfast to present themed days or weeks, even though some have never been mainstream news reporters or presenters. Many of these have seen the programme extended to 0930:
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