Saturday, February 15, 2014

BREAKING. New weekday show, Outside Source, starting on BBC World News with Ros Atkins on Monday, 17 February.


There's not been a word about it from BBC World News (DStv 400 / StarSat 400) to TV critics, writers or editors in South Africa, but a brand-new and revolutionary weekday show Outside Source with presenter Ros Atkins will start on Monday, 17 February on the channel.

Don't look for Outside Source on either BBC World News' electronic programme guide (EPG) on MultiChoice's DStv or On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat - it simply doesn't appear.

"No story in the news is ever at a fixed point," says Ros Atkins, "it's continually evolving".

"We're hoping to show our viewers exactly the live feeds we've got, the information we have at our fingertips, but also what we're trying to find out; maybe what we're struggling to find out too," says Ros Atkins.

"We're also going to give a much more central role to the information and expertise that lots of people outside the BBC are sharing - sometimes with us; often they're just posting it online".


Apparently Outside Source will be moving away from the traditional news studio environment. Ros Atkins will use what he calls "the world's biggest iPad". "It's a brand-new touch screen which allows us to bring our viewers all the live feeds and also all of the latest information".

Not even I can figure out when Outside Source, supposed to suddenly start on Monday 17 February will be on, but my best guess and estimate would be Mondays to Fridays at 20:00 South African time.

Maybe somebody at BBC World News will issue a press release or statement or something at some point about Outside Source starting and the time.

Mostly viewers of BBC World News or TV news channels will probably have to just find it or stumble upon it on their own.