BBC announces five main presenters for new TV channel - as major stars snubbed
The BBC has named its five main presenters for its upcoming new TV channel, which is set to merge both its UK and international arms.
Lucy Hockings, Christian Fraser, Matthew Amroliwala, Yalda Hakim and Maryam Moshiri will be holding the fort at BBC News when it launches in the Spring.
Their appointments also mean that a number of seasoned BBC News presenters have lost their roles, including Jane Hill, Geeta Guru-Murthy, Martine Croxall, Ben Brown and Annita McVeigh.
Presenters such as Joanna Gosling, David Eades and Tim Willcox have taken voluntary redundancy.
Around 70 jobs in total are expected to be lost in London as a result of the merger.
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Announcing the new appointments today, News chief executive Deborah Turness said that they would be the "faces of our channel", continuing: "This team’s editorial leadership, talent, knowledge and flair make them the ideal presenters to bring the BBC’s trusted journalism to people at home in the UK and around the globe, and to guide audiences through the big stories as they break."
Lucy Hockings has been named as one of BBC News' main presenters (BBC)The merger - which sees BBC News and BBC World News channels fused together - is part of reform plans which aim to save £500million over the next few years.
During the UK daytime and evening, the channel will be anchored from London. Overnight, it will be anchored frm Washington DC and Singapore.
Christian Fraser has also been named as a chief presenter (BBC)The newly-formed BBC News will be run as a single operation with global audiences which will often air the same programming, however it will be able to be sepatated into two feeds when there is a major country-focused story. It will also air advertising in countries outside of the UK.
Confirming the news about the merger last July, the corporation said that that its was part of the BBC's plans to create a 'digital-led' organisation.
Martine Croxall has lost out on a role (BBC)BBC News Digital Director Naja Nielsen said at the time: "Our aim is to create the best live and breaking video news service in the world - on our web pages, our apps, on BBC iPlayer and on our new TV news channel.
"The way audiences consume news is changing. In recent years we've seen a huge surge in audiences coming to our live coverage, with tens of millions following live pages when big stories and events unfold.
"We are investing in new capability to cover breaking news stories, and our news channel and digital teams will work hand in hand to bring the best journalism to audiences both at home and abroad."
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