BBC Politics Live
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2020) |
| Politics Live | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Politics Current affairs |
| Presented by | Jo Coburn (2018–present) Andrew Neil (2018–2020) Roger Johnson (2020–present) Adam Fleming (2020–present) |
| Starring | Laura Kuenssberg (2018–2022) Vicki Young (2018–present) Adam Fleming (2018–Present) John Pienaar (2018–2020) |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Production locations | BBC Millbank (Monday-Thursday) Palace of Westminster (Wednesday for PMQs) |
| Running time | 45–105 minutes |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 3 September 2018 – present |
| Related | |
| This Week The Andrew Neil Show Politics England | |
Politics Live is a BBC News political programme which launched on 3 September 2018. It is presented by Jo Coburn and was formerly presented by Andrew Neil. The series replaced Daily Politics which ran in the same time-slot until July 2018. In the announcement, the BBC stated that the new series "will offer viewers a fast-moving, conversational show, featuring a blend of political interviews, discussion and video content designed to be shared digitally, ensuring Politics Live connects with the lives of people around the country."[1] An extended programme of 105 minutes is broadcast on Wednesdays, to include live coverage of Prime Minister's Questions.
The programme is not broadcast at weekends or when Parliament is in recess, or for other occasions such as a Queen's Speech.
Background
The BBC's long-running lunchtime political programme Daily Politics ended in 2018 after 15 years on the air. Politics Live was first announced on 12 July 2018 in a statement from the BBC's press office.[2]
Format
Politics Live was a Monday to Friday show that aired at 12:15pm to 1:00pm except Wednesday when it was aired from 11:15am to 1:00pm because of Prime Minister's Questions. On occasions programmes were shown earlier or later to accommodate party speeches and budget speeches, on some occasions BBC News will simulcast Politics Live for special programming, such as party conferences and budgets with the Politics Live crew.
In March 2020, Politics Live broadcasts was suspended by the BBC, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although PMQ's restarted, Politics Live did not as Coburn anchored PMQ's for BBC Newsroom Live directly from the Commons lobby in Westminster for BBC News which was on air during the pandemic.[3] Politics Live did not resume until May 2020 on Wednesdays only with Coburn hosting with guests at home or in the studio two meters away from each other because of UK lockdown rules. After the summer recess, the BBC changes their programming plan by scaling down Politics Live to 4 days a week (Monday to Thursday with the same times as before), with a review programme, Politics UK airing in the timeslot on Fridays.
Special broadcasts
- Monday 14 January 2019 — A special programme ahead of a vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal.[4]
- Tuesday 15 January 2019 — A special programme during and after a vote on Theresa May’s Brexit deal.[5]
- Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 January 2019 – A special programme after a vote of no confidence in Theresa May's government.[6][7]
- Friday 24 May 2019 – A special programme after Theresa May's resignation statement[8] in Downing Street.[9]
- Monday 22 July 2019 – A special programme concerning the Liberal Democrat hustings.[10]
- Wednesday 3 March 2021 – A special 3 hours 45 minute special covering the 2021 budget by Chancellor Rishi Sunak
Journalists
 |
- Jonathan Blake, Political Correspondent
- Adam Fleming, Chief Political Correspondent
- Chris Mason, Political Correspondent
- Laura Kuenssberg, Political Editor (appears on Wednesdays for PMQs)
- Vicki Young, Deputy Political Editor
Previous journalists
- John Pienaar, Deputy Political Editor
See also
References
- ^ "BBC announces changes to political programming – Media Centre". www.bbc.co.uk. 12 July 2018. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
- ^ "Politics revamp on BBC". BBC Press Office. 2 July 2018. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ "Programming suspended on BBC". BBC News. 25 March 2020. Retrieved 11 March 2021.
- ^ "BBC Two – Politics Live, Special – 14/01/2019". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC Two – Politics Live, Special – 15/01/2019". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC Two – Politics Live, Special – 16/01/2019". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC Two – Politics Live, Special – 17/01/2019". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "Prime Minister's statement in Downing Street: 24 May 2019". GOV.UK. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC Two – Politics Live, 24/05/2019". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
- ^ "BBC Two – Politics Live, Liberal Democrat Hustings". BBC. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
