TVNewser: BBC going 24 hours? Forest Sawyer on West Wing

[roguevalley]

BBC Getting Closer To Launching 24-Hour News Channel In America?
"The lunach of a 24-hour BBC News channel could be getting closer as the corporation extended its BBC World News service to offer hours of early morning news," Brand Republic reports. "BBC World has secured a three-hour block on BBC America, replacing half-hour bulletins. It marks the first time BBC World News has broadcast for three hours straight in the US."

More: "Jeff Hazell, BBC World's director of distribution and business development, hinted at a move to launching a 24-hour BBC World News channel in the US."

"The US is a major focus for us and this new agreement with BBC America demonstrates BBC World News' commitment to bringing unbiased, trustworthy news to audiences in US. We also hope this new programming block will help us further increase the US audiences demand for the BBC World News channel 24/7," he said...

Forrest Sawyer Moderating West Wing Debate: Historic & Bizarre
The West Wing has tapped veteran newsman Forrest Sawyer to moderate Nov. 6's "live presidential debate" between candidates Jimmy Smits and Alan Alda," the NY Post says.

"Before joining NBC in '99, Sawyer was primary backup for anchor Ted Koppel on ABC's Nightline as well as other ABC broadcasts including World News Tonight and Good Morning America. He now runs a media company," Gail Shister notes.

The producers apparently wanted a real news anchor, not an anchor, to make it more believable.

Has anything like this ever been done before?," an e-mailer asks. "I know lots of reporter types do cameos, but I think it's historic (and bizarre, actually) for someone of his stature to host a live debate in primetime. Then again, aren't anchors and politicians actors anyway?

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