The BBC has announced changes to its regional news service in the South of England this weekend.
- A safety inspection is cited as the reason for South Today’s absence over the next two days.
- BBC South East to provide combined bulletin, welcoming viewers across the enlarged region.
Just weeks after relaunching in a brand new studio set, BBC South Today will be taken off air this weekend due to a safety inspection.
On Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December, the programme will be replaced by a combined regional news bulletin serving both the South and South East of England.
This means news coverage will cover an area between Weymouth and Margate and as far north as Banbury.
The BBC says normal service should be restored on Monday.
In November, South Today became the first regional service outside of London to complete both the gallery and studio set refresh that’s been rolling out across the regions. Most other regions have so far only completed one or the other.
Weekend sharing of BBC regional news bulletins has become increasingly common due to a variety of operational reasons. This has intensified as regions install new kit.