BBC Breakfast has faced a wave of criticism from viewers after a significant schedule change left a popular segment missing from the programme.
Segment Missing from Saturday Broadcast
The morning show returned to screens on Saturday, May 9, with presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt at the helm, discussing major news stories. However, the usual handover to Samira Ahmed for the Newswatch segment did not occur. Newswatch typically allows viewers to respond to BBC News coverage, offering praise or critique.
Viewer Reactions on Social Media
Fans hoping to see the latest Newswatch were disappointed as the segment was absent. Instead, Naga and Charlie continued an interview with Labour's deputy leader Lucy Powell. When the interview concluded without Newswatch, angry viewers took to X to vent. One wrote: "Hope newswatch hasn't been binned for repeats of the same political news." Another added: "Never thought I'd be desperate for news watch." A third commented: "Fuming it's dropped." Others said: "Mean buggers binning newswatch, it's only 10min long sods" and "Saturday viewing fun completely in tatters lol."
Not the First Break for Newswatch
This is not the first time Newswatch has taken a break. In March, Samira Ahmed announced the segment would be off air for several weeks over Easter but reassured viewers it would return. "We are off air next weekend over Easter but we will be back to hear more of your thoughts about how the BBC covers the news, in a fortnight," she said at the time.
About Samira Ahmed
Samira Ahmed, with 20 years of experience in print and broadcast, has hosted Newswatch since 2012. In 2020, she was named British Broadcasting Press Guild audio presenter of the year. She has presented numerous news and arts programmes for BBC TV and radio, including The World Tonight, PM, Sunday Morning Live, Night Waves, and The Proms on BBC Four.
BBC Breakfast airs Monday to Sunday from 6am on BBC One.
