TV on trial

To roll or not ?  It's the dilemma facing all 24-hour news channels - and Sky News has opted for the full deal on the trial of Dr Conrad Murray, charged with involuntary manslaughter after the death of his patient, Michael Jackson, in June 2009.  Meanwhile the more hesitant BBC News Channel (nee News 24) pops in and out.

Has it got audience appeal in the UK ? After a hesitant start, it seems so - Sky News share was up around 45% in prime time on Wednesday, and the News Channel is off the top.  The Sky gamble needs to pay off - Jeff Randall has retired to the golf course for the week, to make way for the trial coverage - and you have to say that European financial meltdown, if it comes, may prove of longer term significance.

• In the States, there's no doubt about the interest on some networks. Fox launched an iPhone app on Monday for trial coverage - at 99c. It's now topping the charts for paid news apps at the Apple store.