BBC Six O'Clock News
Encyclopedia
The BBC News at Six is the evening news programme broadcast each night on British television channel BBC One
and the BBC News channel at 18:00. For a long period the News at Six was the most watched news programme in the UK but since 2006 it has been over taken by the BBC News at Ten. On average it pulls in 4 million viewers.
George Alagiah
is currently the main presenter, presenting Monday to Thursday, while Fiona Bruce
is its Friday presenter. Other BBC News presenters, including Sophie Raworth
, Huw Edwards
and Mishal Husain
also appear.
In late 2007 the length of the programme was shortened from 30 minutes to 28 minutes to allow for a news summary being shown on BBC 1 at 7:58pm.
The programme launched on 3 September 1984, replacing early evening news magazine Sixty Minutes
and was originally presented by Sue Lawley
and Nicholas Witchell
. Both presenters have since moved on to other positions within BBC News and the BBC itself. Jeremy Paxman
, who went on to present Newsnight
in 1989, was relief newsreader from 10 September.
In 1988, the Six O'Clock News studio was famously invaded during a live broadcast by a female group protesting against Britain
's Section 28
(a law against the promotion of homosexuality
in schools). Witchell famously grappled with the protesters and is said to have sat on one woman, provoking the memorable front-page headline in the Daily Mirror, Beeb man sits on lesbian.
On 10 May 1999, the bulletin was relaunched, along with the rest of the BBC News
programme and the new presenter was Huw Edwards
with Fiona Bruce
as the deputy presenter. Both Edwards and Bruce left the Six O'Clock News on 19 January 2003.
On 20 January 2003, as George Alagiah
and Sophie Raworth
took over, the bulletin was relaunched along with the rest of BBC One's news bulletins. During Raworth's first maternity leave in 2004, Sian Williams stood in for her for over the six months. However, during Raworth's second maternity leave at the end of 2005, Natasha Kaplinsky
stood in, originally as a temporary measure. As part of a presenter reshuffle in April 2006, Kaplinsky was confirmed as the new full-time presenter. Sophie Raworth was later named as the main presenter of the BBC News at One. Raworth is now a regular presenter on the News at Six and BBC News at Ten, covering for main presenters during their absences.
Since April 2005, the programme has formed the first half hour of the Six O'Clock Newshour on the BBC News Channel. The subsequent half hour consists of business and sport updates presented from within the News channel studio by one of the News Channel presenters. As before, the bulletin still completes at 18:30 before splitting off to regional news programmes on BBC One
.
On 5 October 2007 it was announced that Natasha Kaplinsky was leaving the BBC to replace Kirsty Young
on Five News
, taking up her new role on 18 February 2008 presenting two half-hour evening bulletins. She left at the end of the Six O'Clock News on the same day.
For a while Sian Williams filled in as co-presenter, but on 3 December 2007, the programme went single-headed, with George Alagiah as main presenter, and Sian Williams as deputy presenter. A few months into the new arrangement Fiona Bruce
took over from Sian as the main Friday presenter.
In 28 January 2008, the programme moved studios, from N6 to TC7, as part of a restructuring across BBC News
. On 21 April 2008 the programmes, along with the rest of BBC News, underwent a refresh, taking on new titles and a new set.
, also the home of BBC Breakfast
, Newsnight
, Newsround
, The Politics Show
and The Andrew Marr Show. The current design of set was introduced in May 2006, the latest design of titles in April 2008. The programme is occasionally broadcast from the BBC News Channel Studio (N6).
Within the last few minutes of each bulletin, a full national weather forecast is presented by Laura Tobin
, Helen Willetts
, Susan Powell
or Louise Lear
of the BBC Weather Centre.
Jack Straw
berated the show's presenters for "prancing around the studio".
The BBC defend the format as they believe that the body language and integration of presenter and graphics increases the viewer's understanding of the news.
The bulletin has also been accused of having an English perspective on the news in terms of items covered and priority each news item is given. There have been calls in Scotland for a separate 'Scottish Six' that would combine Scottish, British and international news items to create a news programme from a Scottish perspective. The idea was rejected by the BBC in 2003 after a series of public meetings and a poll showed that 38% favoured the idea, as opposed to the 45% that wanted no change. However, the SNP
have continued to call for the change.
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
and the BBC News channel at 18:00. For a long period the News at Six was the most watched news programme in the UK but since 2006 it has been over taken by the BBC News at Ten. On average it pulls in 4 million viewers.
George Alagiah
George Alagiah
George Maxwell Alagiah OBE is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter.Since 3 December 2007, he has been the sole presenter of the BBC News at Six and has also been the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch on 1 February 2010...
is currently the main presenter, presenting Monday to Thursday, while Fiona Bruce
Fiona Bruce
Fiona Elizabeth Bruce is a British journalist, newsreader and television presenter. Since joining the BBC in 1989, she has gone on to present many flagship programmes for the corporation including the BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten, Crimewatch, Call My Bluff and, most recently, Antiques Roadshow...
is its Friday presenter. Other BBC News presenters, including Sophie Raworth
Sophie Raworth
Sophie Jane Raworth is an English newsreader and journalist who works for British broadcaster the BBC. She is the main presenter of the BBC News at One, presenting Tuesday to Friday, and regularly appears on the BBC News at Six and occasionally on BBC News at Ten.-Early life:Born in Surrey to a...
, Huw Edwards
Huw Edwards (journalist)
Huw Edwards is a BAFTA award-winning Welsh journalist, presenter and newsreader.He is a news presenter for BBC News in the United Kingdom. Edwards presents Britain's most watched news programme, BBC News at Ten, which is also the corporation's flagship news broadcast...
and Mishal Husain
Mishal Husain
Mishal Husain is a television news presenter for the BBC's international news channel, BBC World News, presenting Impact between 1400 and 1600 GMT every Monday to Thursday as well as presenting the Sunday evening editions of the BBC Weekend News on BBC One...
also appear.
In late 2007 the length of the programme was shortened from 30 minutes to 28 minutes to allow for a news summary being shown on BBC 1 at 7:58pm.
History
Sixty Minutes (TV series)
Sixty Minutes was a news and current affairs programme which ran each day at 5:40pm between 24 October 1983 to 27 July 1984 on BBC One. It replaced the Nationwide programme, and like Nationwide, it also integrated the BBC regional news programmes into a single magazine programme.However, the BBC's...
and was originally presented by Sue Lawley
Sue Lawley
- Early life and education:Born in Sedgley, Staffordshire, England and brought up in the Black Country, she was educated at Dudley Girls High School and graduated in modern languages from the University of Bristol and some time later started her career at the BBC in Plymouth...
and Nicholas Witchell
Nicholas Witchell
Nicholas Newton Henshall Witchell is an English journalist. He is the current diplomatic and royal correspondent for BBC News...
. Both presenters have since moved on to other positions within BBC News and the BBC itself. Jeremy Paxman
Jeremy Paxman
Jeremy Dickson Paxman is a British journalist, author and television presenter. He has worked for the BBC since 1977. He is noted for a forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians...
, who went on to present Newsnight
Newsnight
Newsnight is a BBC Television current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman has been its main presenter for over two decades....
in 1989, was relief newsreader from 10 September.
In 1988, the Six O'Clock News studio was famously invaded during a live broadcast by a female group protesting against Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's Section 28
Section 28
Section 28 of the Local Government Act 1988 caused the controversial addition of Section 2A to the Local Government Act 1986 , enacted on 24 May 1988 and repealed on 21 June 2000 in Scotland, and on 18 November 2003 in the rest of Great Britain by section 122 of the Local Government Act 2003...
(a law against the promotion of homosexuality
Homosexuality
Homosexuality is romantic or sexual attraction or behavior between members of the same sex or gender. As a sexual orientation, homosexuality refers to "an enduring pattern of or disposition to experience sexual, affectional, or romantic attractions" primarily or exclusively to people of the same...
in schools). Witchell famously grappled with the protesters and is said to have sat on one woman, provoking the memorable front-page headline in the Daily Mirror, Beeb man sits on lesbian.
On 10 May 1999, the bulletin was relaunched, along with the rest of the BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
programme and the new presenter was Huw Edwards
Huw Edwards (journalist)
Huw Edwards is a BAFTA award-winning Welsh journalist, presenter and newsreader.He is a news presenter for BBC News in the United Kingdom. Edwards presents Britain's most watched news programme, BBC News at Ten, which is also the corporation's flagship news broadcast...
with Fiona Bruce
Fiona Bruce
Fiona Elizabeth Bruce is a British journalist, newsreader and television presenter. Since joining the BBC in 1989, she has gone on to present many flagship programmes for the corporation including the BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten, Crimewatch, Call My Bluff and, most recently, Antiques Roadshow...
as the deputy presenter. Both Edwards and Bruce left the Six O'Clock News on 19 January 2003.
On 20 January 2003, as George Alagiah
George Alagiah
George Maxwell Alagiah OBE is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter.Since 3 December 2007, he has been the sole presenter of the BBC News at Six and has also been the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch on 1 February 2010...
and Sophie Raworth
Sophie Raworth
Sophie Jane Raworth is an English newsreader and journalist who works for British broadcaster the BBC. She is the main presenter of the BBC News at One, presenting Tuesday to Friday, and regularly appears on the BBC News at Six and occasionally on BBC News at Ten.-Early life:Born in Surrey to a...
took over, the bulletin was relaunched along with the rest of BBC One's news bulletins. During Raworth's first maternity leave in 2004, Sian Williams stood in for her for over the six months. However, during Raworth's second maternity leave at the end of 2005, Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha Kaplinsky
Natasha Margaret Kaplinsky is a British newsreader and television presenter, currently employed by ITV having previously worked for Channel 5, Sky News and the BBC...
stood in, originally as a temporary measure. As part of a presenter reshuffle in April 2006, Kaplinsky was confirmed as the new full-time presenter. Sophie Raworth was later named as the main presenter of the BBC News at One. Raworth is now a regular presenter on the News at Six and BBC News at Ten, covering for main presenters during their absences.
Since April 2005, the programme has formed the first half hour of the Six O'Clock Newshour on the BBC News Channel. The subsequent half hour consists of business and sport updates presented from within the News channel studio by one of the News Channel presenters. As before, the bulletin still completes at 18:30 before splitting off to regional news programmes on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
.
On 5 October 2007 it was announced that Natasha Kaplinsky was leaving the BBC to replace Kirsty Young
Kirsty Young
Kirsty Jackson Young is a Scottish television presenter and radio presenter. She is the main presenter of Crimewatch and Desert Island Discs. She is married to millionaire club owner Nick Jones.- Career :...
on Five News
Five News
5 News is the news programme of British broadcaster Channel 5, produced by Sky News. From 1 January 2005, Sky News was awarded the contract to provide the news for Channel 5, replacing ITN, which had provided the channel's news service from the channel's launch in 1997...
, taking up her new role on 18 February 2008 presenting two half-hour evening bulletins. She left at the end of the Six O'Clock News on the same day.
For a while Sian Williams filled in as co-presenter, but on 3 December 2007, the programme went single-headed, with George Alagiah as main presenter, and Sian Williams as deputy presenter. A few months into the new arrangement Fiona Bruce
Fiona Bruce
Fiona Elizabeth Bruce is a British journalist, newsreader and television presenter. Since joining the BBC in 1989, she has gone on to present many flagship programmes for the corporation including the BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten, Crimewatch, Call My Bluff and, most recently, Antiques Roadshow...
took over from Sian as the main Friday presenter.
In 28 January 2008, the programme moved studios, from N6 to TC7, as part of a restructuring across BBC News
BBC News
BBC News is the department of the British Broadcasting Corporation responsible for the gathering and broadcasting of news and current affairs. The department is the world's largest broadcast news organisation and generates about 120 hours of radio and television output each day, as well as online...
. On 21 April 2008 the programmes, along with the rest of BBC News, underwent a refresh, taking on new titles and a new set.
Weekdays
| Years | Presenter | Current role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003–present | George Alagiah George Alagiah George Maxwell Alagiah OBE is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter.Since 3 December 2007, he has been the sole presenter of the BBC News at Six and has also been the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch on 1 February 2010... |
Main presenter (Monday-Thursday) |
| 2008–present | Fiona Bruce Fiona Bruce Fiona Elizabeth Bruce is a British journalist, newsreader and television presenter. Since joining the BBC in 1989, she has gone on to present many flagship programmes for the corporation including the BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten, Crimewatch, Call My Bluff and, most recently, Antiques Roadshow... |
Main presenter (Friday), Relief presenter |
| 2006–present | Sophie Raworth Sophie Raworth Sophie Jane Raworth is an English newsreader and journalist who works for British broadcaster the BBC. She is the main presenter of the BBC News at One, presenting Tuesday to Friday, and regularly appears on the BBC News at Six and occasionally on BBC News at Ten.-Early life:Born in Surrey to a... |
Main relief presenter |
| 2010–present | Mishal Husain Mishal Husain Mishal Husain is a television news presenter for the BBC's international news channel, BBC World News, presenting Impact between 1400 and 1600 GMT every Monday to Thursday as well as presenting the Sunday evening editions of the BBC Weekend News on BBC One... |
Regular relief presenter |
| 2009–present | Kate Silverton Kate Silverton Kate Silverton is an English journalist, currently employed by the BBC.- Early life and education :Silverton was born in Essex, England, the daughter of English parents; Terry Silverton, a black-cab driver turned registered hypnotherapist and Patricia Silverton, who now heads her daughter's... |
|
| 2008–present | Huw Edwards Huw Edwards Huw Edwards may refer to:*Huw Edwards , the Welsh conductor*Huw Edwards , a fictional character in the television programme EastEnders*Huw Edwards , former Member of Parliament in the UK... |
Occasional relief presenter |
| 2009–present | Emily Maitlis Emily Maitlis Emily Maitlis is a Canadian-born British journalist and newsreader, currently employed by the BBC.-Career:Raised in Sheffield, she was educated at the local King Edward VII School... |
|
| 2004-present | Sian Williams |
Former presenters
If there is no position before the years of being a presenter, then this newsreader was either a relief presenter or occasional guest stand-in presenter.- Jennie BondJennie BondJennifer "Jennie" Bond is an English journalist and television presenter. She worked for fourteen years as the BBC's royal correspondent. She has most recently hosted Cash in the Attic and narrated the five series programme, Great British Menu.-Early career:She was educated at St...
(1990–1999) - Jill DandoJill DandoJill Wendy Dando was an English journalist, television presenter and newsreader who worked for the BBC for 14 years. She was murdered by gunshot outside her home in Fulham, West London; her killer has never been identified....
(1989–1999) - Anna FordAnna FordAnna Ford is a retired English journalist and television presenter, best known as a newsreader....
(Main presenter, 1989–1999) - Fiona BruceFiona BruceFiona Elizabeth Bruce is a British journalist, newsreader and television presenter. Since joining the BBC in 1989, she has gone on to present many flagship programmes for the corporation including the BBC News at Six, BBC News at Ten, Crimewatch, Call My Bluff and, most recently, Antiques Roadshow...
(Main Friday presenter, 1999–2003) - Huw EdwardsHuw EdwardsHuw Edwards may refer to:*Huw Edwards , the Welsh conductor*Huw Edwards , a fictional character in the television programme EastEnders*Huw Edwards , former Member of Parliament in the UK...
(Main Monday-Thursday presenter, 1999–2003) - Bill TurnbullBill TurnbullWilliam Robert "Bill" Turnbull is an English journalist and presenter, currently employed by the BBC and best known for presenting BBC Breakfast...
(2003–2006) - Ben Brown (2006–2007)
- Jon Sopel (2006–2007)
- Jane HillJane HillJane Hill is a British newsreader working for the BBC.She is one of the main presenters on the BBC News Channel, the corporation's 24-hour rolling news service, and is a relief anchor for the BBC News at One, as well as regularly presenting the BBC Weekend News...
(2005–2007) - Andrew HarveyAndrew Harvey (journalist)Andrew Harvey is a British journalist who over a period of thirty years has presented most of main television news programmes of the BBC and ITN on British television.-BBC career:...
(Main presenter, 1984–1996) - Philip HaytonPhilip HaytonPhilip Hayton is a British television presenter. He was born in Keighley in Yorkshire and was educated at Fyling Hall School, an Independent school near Robin Hood's Bay in North Yorkshire in Northern England.-Career:...
(Main presenter, 1987–1994) - Natasha KaplinskyNatasha KaplinskyNatasha Margaret Kaplinsky is a British newsreader and television presenter, currently employed by ITV having previously worked for Channel 5, Sky News and the BBC...
(Main co-presenter 2005–2007) - Sue LawleySue Lawley- Early life and education:Born in Sedgley, Staffordshire, England and brought up in the Black Country, she was educated at Dudley Girls High School and graduated in modern languages from the University of Bristol and some time later started her career at the BBC in Plymouth...
(Main presenter, 1984–1989) - Chris LoweChris Lowe (journalist)John Christopher Lowe is a news presenter who worked for BBC News for 37 years until his retirement on 4 January 2009.-Education:...
(Main co-presenter, 1988–1994) - Martyn LewisMartyn Lewis (journalist)Martyn Lewis CBE is a British television news presenter and journalist.-Early life:Lewis was born in Swansea, West Glamorgan, though was educated at the co-educational Dalriada School in Northern Ireland and graduated with a BA degree from Trinity College, Dublin. He then joined BBC Northern...
(Main presenter, 1994–1999) - Dermot MurnaghanDermot MurnaghanDermot Murnaghan is a British journalist and television presenter.He is well known for his work as a presenter of ITV and BBC News as well as the shows Eggheads and Treasure Hunt . He co-presented BBC Breakfast from Monday to Thursday as well as regularly fronting national BBC news bulletins...
(2004–2007) - Jeremy PaxmanJeremy PaxmanJeremy Dickson Paxman is a British journalist, author and television presenter. He has worked for the BBC since 1977. He is noted for a forthright and abrasive interviewing style, particularly when interrogating politicians...
(1984–1987) - John HumphrysJohn HumphrysDesmond John Humphrys , is a Welsh-born British author, journalist and presenter of radio and television, who has won many national broadcasting awards...
(Main presenter, 1989–1991) - Peter SissonsPeter SissonsPeter George Sissons is a broadcast journalist in the United Kingdom. He was the presenter of the BBC Nine O'Clock News and the BBC News at Ten between 1993 and 2003, as earlier a newscaster for ITN, providing bulletins on ITV and Channel 4. He is also a former presenter of the BBC's Question Time...
(Main presenter, 1989–1994) - Moira StuartMoira StuartMoira Clare Ruby Stuart OBE is a British journalist who was the first African-Caribbean female newsreader on British television...
(Main co-presenter, 1989–1999) - Justin WebbJustin WebbJustin Oliver Webb is a British journalist who has worked for the BBC since 1984. Since August 2009, he has presented on the Today programme.-Early life:...
(Main co-presenter, 1992–1999) - Nicholas WitchellNicholas WitchellNicholas Newton Henshall Witchell is an English journalist. He is the current diplomatic and royal correspondent for BBC News...
(Main presenter, 1984–1989) - Mike SmarttMike SmarttMike Smartt OBE is a journalist and broadcaster, and was the founder and editor-in-chief of BBC News Online, the BBC's Internet news service. With Project Director Bob Eggington , and held the post of editor-in-chief of BBC News Interactive, which also encompassed interactive television news, until...
(Main co-presenter, late-1980s) - Laurie Mayer (Main co-presenter, late-1980s)
Presentation
Unlike the other BBC News bulletins, which are broadcast from the BBC News Channel (Studio N6), the BBC News at Six is broadcast from TC7 of BBC Television CentreBBC Television Centre
BBC Television Centre at White City in West London is the headquarters of BBC Television. Officially opened on 29 June 1960, it remains one of the largest to this day; having featured over the years as backdrop to many BBC programmes, it is one of the most readily recognisable such facilities...
, also the home of BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast
BBC Breakfast is the morning television news programme simulcast on BBC One and the BBC News channel. It is presented live from BBC Television Centre in White City, West London, and contains a mixture of news, sport, weather, business and feature items...
, Newsnight
Newsnight
Newsnight is a BBC Television current affairs programme noted for its in-depth analysis and often robust cross-examination of senior politicians. Jeremy Paxman has been its main presenter for over two decades....
, Newsround
Newsround
Newsround is a BBC children's news programme, which has run continuously since 4 April 1972, and was one of the world's first television news magazines aimed specifically at children...
, The Politics Show
The Politics Show
The Politics Show is an hour long BBC One television political programme broadcast in the United Kingdom on Sundays. The programme usually starts at midday, but is often earlier or later when sporting events clash in the schedules. It was launched in 2003 and was originally presented by Jeremy...
and The Andrew Marr Show. The current design of set was introduced in May 2006, the latest design of titles in April 2008. The programme is occasionally broadcast from the BBC News Channel Studio (N6).
Within the last few minutes of each bulletin, a full national weather forecast is presented by Laura Tobin
Laura Tobin
Laura Elizabeth Brown , is an English broadcast meteorologist, working for the United Kingdom Met Office and the BBC, producing BBC Weather reports for BBC Television and BBC Online....
, Helen Willetts
Helen Willetts
Helen Sarah Willetts is a meteorologist on the BBC. She appears regularly on BBC News, BBC World News, BBC Red Button, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 2, as well as BBC One. Helen is an occasional weather forecaster on the BBC News at Ten and the BBC News channel...
, Susan Powell
Susan Powell (Weather forecaster)
Susan Powell is a weather reporter for the BBC. She telecasts on the BBC News Channel, BBC One, BBC World, BBC Radio Four, and she is a main weather reporter on the BBC Six O'Clock News and BBC Radio Five Live. She was previously a main weather reporter on the BBC Ten O'Clock News.-Early life:Susan...
or Louise Lear
Louise Lear
Louise Lear , is a BBC Weather presenter, appearing on BBC News, BBC World News, BBC Red Button and BBC Radio...
of the BBC Weather Centre.
Criticism
The bulletin has been accused of being an example of the BBC 'dumbing-down' with more consumer led reports and dynamic presentation. In particular, in 2006 the then Leader of the House of CommonsLeader of the House of Commons
The Leader of the House of Commons is a member of the Cabinet of the United Kingdom who is responsible for arranging government business in the House of Commons...
Jack Straw
Jack Straw (politician)
John Whitaker Straw is a British Labour Party politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Blackburn since 1979. He served as Home Secretary from 1997 to 2001, Foreign Secretary from 2001 to 2006 and Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons from 2006 to 2007 under Tony Blair...
berated the show's presenters for "prancing around the studio".
The BBC defend the format as they believe that the body language and integration of presenter and graphics increases the viewer's understanding of the news.
The bulletin has also been accused of having an English perspective on the news in terms of items covered and priority each news item is given. There have been calls in Scotland for a separate 'Scottish Six' that would combine Scottish, British and international news items to create a news programme from a Scottish perspective. The idea was rejected by the BBC in 2003 after a series of public meetings and a poll showed that 38% favoured the idea, as opposed to the 45% that wanted no change. However, the SNP
Scottish National Party
The Scottish National Party is a social-democratic political party in Scotland which campaigns for Scottish independence from the United Kingdom....
have continued to call for the change.