Busy

For those who worry that Eddie Mair might not have enough to do since his retirement from broadcasting in 2022 - a letter in the new Private Eye: 

Thinking ahead

BBC News Content (née Newsgathering) likes a bit of planning, to bolster programmes for most eventualities. Grateful output editors were please to see just one embargoed package on the stocks from Washington overnight - tv subs were told it would need a caption after 13 seconds "Kamala Harris, President Elect". 

Bogof

No less than two 'short' inquiries by MPs in to the funding of the World Service are on the launch pad. Emily Thornbury's Foreign Affairs Committee "will look at how the BBC World Service is funded and run, and whether the reduction of funding will have an impact on the UK’s soft power abroad." No details yet of sessions or an evidence call. 

Meanwhile the Culture Select Committee, under Caroline Dinenage, "will look at the services the World Service provides, how it is paid for, the challenges it faces operating around the world, and the pressures funding the World Service from the licence fee places on other BBC services."  Again, no bookings yet. 

Ms Dinenage adds “For nearly 100 years, the BBC World Service has been a hugely respected source of trusted journalism for millions and has played a key role in enhancing the UK’s global identity and influence on the world stage. With current funding pressures creating challenges for the BBC budget, the timing is right to examine how it can best be financed into the future, with a model that balances the Government’s objectives and value for money for the licence payer.”

Holed

Estimates of the number of times Donald Trump found time for a round of golf during his first Presidency run between 261 and 307, over 1461 days. 

He hasn't played since a man with a gun was found a couple of holes ahead on his West Palm Beach course on September 15th.  When he starts again, the people he leaves to run the country will be even more important to the rest of the world. 

Big field

Sir Nick Serota stands down soon as a BBC non-executive. He's been on board since August 2016. Headhunters Egon Zehnder are helping Samir Shah find a replacement, but given the list of 'desirable' criteria for selection, they should have no trouble finding a former Tory MP who might be grateful for an extra £33k a year....... 

In order to ensure the required mix of skills on the Board experience in some or all of the following areas is considered to be desirable for candidates to demonstrate:

•    Experience of managing or overseeing a large scale UK arts, cultural or educational organisation; 

•    Senior experience in commissioning or production of media content – either in television, radio, news or online; 

•    Familiarity with and experience of the operation of UK Government, key government departments and other significant public sector bodies; 

•    Understanding of local and regional issues in under-represented parts of the UK.

Global strategist sought

 As the BBC begs the Government and Foreign Office to take over full funding of the World Service (shifting the burden from licence fee payers to taxpayers) you'd think they had a plan. However BBC News Global Director Jonathan Munro is looking for a Big Thinking Action Person.  There's a spare 'a' in the first sentence, and the second 'sentence' strays from the normal rules of grammar; that may not be enough to qualify me.    

This is an exciting opportunity to join the leadership team within World Service News. Reporting into the BBC News Global Director, the Head of Strategic Planning and Delivery will be accountable for the oversight and direction of a strategic, financial and governance activities needed to plan and deliver the global strategy for the World Service group. Creating opportunities with other parts of the BBC like BBC Studios, to maximise the impact of BBC News globally.

Here to help

Another category of Brit to watch out for in the States over the next few days - the broadcasting suits. I'll take a wild guess that C4's Chief Content Officer is on site. 

Windows being boarded up in Washington DC tonight ahead of Tuesday’s election pic.twitter.com/eor5lSBDG5

— Ian Katz (@iankatz1000) November 5, 2024

Any other spottings gratefully received.... 

Jollies

It's on a knife-edge. Will the headcount of UK-based BBC hacks heading to the US outstrip the massed bands of Brit podcasters enjoying an ad-funded jolly ?

Podcasters on site include The News Agents Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel and Lewis Goodall; Never Mind The Ballots' Harry Cole; The Rest is Politics UK crew of Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell is en route; as are Kamal Ahmed and Camilla Tominey of The Daily T. Cuddly Andrew Neil, complete with huge shirt cuffs, is already swinging round the mikes as a guest. 

Your quality Sunday

 Winning the weekend at BBC News Online:

 'Dating is fruitless so I've frozen my eggs'

'Pack of cigs and a Bic lighter': Are celebs glamourising smoking again?

They lead the 'Most Read' list at 0945 GMT. 

Save time - keep it here

Today's questions on BBC News online, answered here so you don't have to read all the guff.

Q Could election change protection US offers Europe ?

A Jonathan Beale's conclusion: "America will still remain the world's most pre-eminent military power. The question is how will the next president use it."

Q Badenoch is favourite, but will she clinch Tory leadership ?

A Chris Mason: "The long standing expectation of most since Badenoch and Jenrick became the final two was that Badenoch was the favourite. Since the polls closed on Thursday that has remained the view of most, but not all."

A: US election polls: Who is ahead - Harris or Trump ? "Harris has had a small lead over Trump in the national polling averages since she entered the race at the end of July and she remains ahead, 48% to 47% with the latest figures rounded to the nearest whole number."