Great video clip with commentary from Martin Belam of live web reporting during first TV election debate. Covers political parties, broadcasters and newspapers.
Del.ici.us tags: election2010 livereporting tvdebates
"The first ever UK televised leaders' debate attracted an impressive 9.4 million viewers on ITV1 last night, beating Coronation Street and EastEnders to become the most watched programme of the day.
Last night's historic 90-minute debate between Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg also proved more popular than the BBC's controversial Question Time featuring the British National party leader, Nick Griffin, which was watched by 7.9 million viewers back in October in a later 10.35pm Thursday slot.
The First Election Debate on ITV1 averaged 9.4 million viewers between 8.30pm and 10pm, a 37% share of the total TV audience over that period.
Only soaps, reality shows such as Britain's Got Talent and major live sporting events attract these sort of figures on a regular basis nowadays, with the fragmentation of viewing across hundreds of digital channels."
Del.ici.us tags: tvdebates election2010 audience figures
Gavin Esler, Presenter of BBC Town Hall Debates:
"The party leaders will have their say in the televised Thursday TV debates, but most of us will not have the chance to meet a party leader in person or to vote for one directly.
All politics, as the former Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Tip O'Neill, famously observed, is local.
Over the next few weeks, beginning tomorrow, our Town Hall Debates will visit the three constituencies of Bolton West, Stirling, and St Austell and Newquay.
In each place 100 or so local voters – many of them still undecided – will put questions to three or four candidates from the leading parties.
It means we will have a chance to listen to the heartbeat of Britain.
[…]
We do not know what to expect. Nor do the candidates.
That is what makes the debates, and this election, so exciting.
• Town Hall Debates will be aired on the BBC News Channel and BBC website at 1200BST on Tuesday, 13 April."
Del.ici.us tags: election2010 townhall debates television tvdebates bbc gavinesler
"For the first time ever in the UK, the leaders of the three main parties will debate on live television during the General Election campaign.
On 29 April, the BBC is hosting a live Prime Ministerial Debate, and we want your questions for Gordon Brown, David Cameron and Nick Clegg.
The first half of the programme will debate the economy. We will then have the chance to discuss all other election issues.
A selection of the best questions submitted will be considered for use in the programme."
Del.ici.us tags: bbc tvdebates haveyoursay debate
"The SNP and Plaid Cymru are appealing against a decision by the BBC not to include their leaders in a televised UK general election debate.
Alex Salmond and Ieuan Wyn Jones have written to the BBC Trust to request an oral hearing to appeal against the BBC executive's decision.
The pair are angry their parties will not be represented in three debates to be televised on the BBC, ITV and Sky.
The BBC argues it has clearly set out how impartiality will be achieved.
The BBC Trust said it could not comment in advance of receiving the letter."
Del.ici.us tags: election2010 tvdebates impartiality