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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there’s no need for ‘major news report’ message

192 replies

Greyrootszerohoots · 09/04/2021 17:58

Getting ready for bed the CBeebies way and ‘Major news report on BBC1’ message keeps being flashed up. Anxiety inducing thoughts of you know, something major that didn’t happen earlier in the day and didn’t involve just one person dying.

I get that it’s big news and people care more than I do, but AIBU to think there’s no need to keep posting this on a kids tv channel?

OP posts:
SleepingStandingUp · 09/04/2021 19:51

@Mollymalone123

It’s an historical moment which when you are a bit older will be able to recount.Whether you like the Royal family or not, it still is big news.
I doubt a load of pre-schoolers with no memory him will care where they were. They've still got the Queen to die in their school days, possibly the King to die whilst they're young adults and whatever Camilla will be, the King to die in their adulthood and the Queen. I'm not sure how "historic" PP dying peacefully in his sleep at home at 99 will be
Original poster
Greyrootszerohoots · 09/04/2021 19:51

@AfternoonToffee

I would be very concerned if any of my friends were in a broken mess over a very ill 99 year old who they didn't know in any personal sense. My concern would be about what the actual issue was that this news was being used as an outlet.
Absolutely. The ultimate ‘u ok tho hun?’
OP posts:
Keyring · 09/04/2021 19:52

Yes but life doesn't involve around preschoolers...

SleepingStandingUp · 09/04/2021 19:53

@AfternoonToffee

I would be very concerned if any of my friends were in a broken mess over a very ill 99 year old who they didn't know in any personal sense. My concern would be about what the actual issue was that this news was being used as an outlet.
Quite. DMIL shed a small tear but for the Queen as a fellow widow who married young and had a lifetime of years together. She wishes she'd been able to say good bye in peace at home but it couldn't happen.
cateycloggs · 09/04/2021 19:54

Seriously why is it reprehensible? Last time I counted there were 6 television channels showing titles concerned with the DofE's death. Where is the virtue in removing other programming? When Diana died there was much less media, she was young, and had young children, her death was violent, she had recently been the subject of prurient speculation, it was hot, it was August Bank Holiday. It was a perfect storm or witches' brew or something and I did grieve her death but now I understand those who did not feel it.

Not trying to watch Cbeebies as no children here, but just tried to watch BBC4 - same message and now I am annoyed. I switched most of tv and radio off today as I'd heard enough about the DofE. I am actually interested in the history but I am not grieving. I do find it hard to find anything to watch in the normal course of things and BBC4 is one of my go tos for arty type programmes (though they do tend to do too much music on Fridays). I think it is quite reasonable for those who have heard the news or just don't care to want to watch or hear something else. And those with young children not to want to explain at bedtime why their routine is interrupted.

First heard this news at lunchtime and then a couple of hours of discussion on different channels. Find it hard to believe there is anything else to say. Why take off programming previously made and scheduled? If anyone is truly grieving over the Dof E surely the last thing they are doing is wondering what is on the tv or the radio?

HandsIntoTheFire · 09/04/2021 19:54

I remember this from when Diana died. We were watching Live and Kicking when the banner appeared across the screen.

SleepingStandingUp · 09/04/2021 19:54

@Keyring

Yes but life doesn't involve around preschoolers...
Of course not, but the comment was about being able to recount where you were when you heard when you're older. I assumed the pp meant to kids watching CBeebies
Lweji · 09/04/2021 19:56

@Mollymalone123

It’s an historical moment which when you are a bit older will be able to recount.Whether you like the Royal family or not, it still is big news.
In the middle of a huge pandemic, having to stay at home, wear masks and the lot, it won't be what kids will remember from 2021. I doubt most will even care about him.

Remember the year the Queen's husband died?
?
You had to wear masks?
2020?
Close.
2022?
Again...
2021?
Bingo.

BrumBoo · 09/04/2021 19:56

@Keyring

My hunch is that this thread is out of kilter with the mood of the nation, tbh. I think people do care about this - on differing levels.
They really don't. Only a certain demographic will in anyway give a shit, and not even all of them. If it was the Queen, I think more people would 'care' but not by much. The nation embarrassed itself enough when Diana died, and has definitely toned it down/not really cared for this sort of pomp and circumstance since.
ShonkyCat · 09/04/2021 19:58

Preschoolers don't care that some old man they've never met has died and nor should they. Their parents probably heard it elsewhere. It's completely OTT.

Keyring · 09/04/2021 19:58

@BrumBoo

respect your viewpoint, but fundamentally disagree. I agree some of the Diana coverage went over the top (and so did the nation's response in places). This is more measured, as to be expected from someone dying at 99.

Oblomov21 · 09/04/2021 19:58

Agreed. Keep thinking something Bad has happened, 9/11, war, huge covid outbreak. Really pisses me off.

Nanny0gg · 09/04/2021 20:02

@Shopliftersoftheworldunite

Literally no one will ask 'where were you when Prince Phillip died' ? it is not a major news event. The Queen dying, maybe - as that will trigger changes to our head of state and all the associated pomp and nonsense that goes along with that. But her husband? Nah.

In a few days time literally no one outside of his immediate family will give a fuck. He was 99 years old and there will be no changes whatsoever to our country now he has died.

Of course it's a major news event!

Whether you like it or not, whether you agree with it or not, we live in a monarchy and he was the monarch's consort. He was a huge support to her and a sounding board and now he's gone.
He also did a fair bit of good - DoE Award for a start.

So yes, it's a news event.

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 09/04/2021 20:02

@Mollymalone123

It’s an historical moment which when you are a bit older will be able to recount.Whether you like the Royal family or not, it still is big news.
It's really not. I highly doubt anyone will be discussing in future years what they were doing when price Phillip passed. I have no clue what I was doing when the queen mother went and it would never cross my mind to ask anyone else. Beyond it being sad for his family it's really not that significant.
BrumBoo · 09/04/2021 20:03

[quote Keyring]@BrumBoo

respect your viewpoint, but fundamentally disagree. I agree some of the Diana coverage went over the top (and so did the nation's response in places). This is more measured, as to be expected from someone dying at 99.[/quote]
Every single channel is running this one story. That isn't 'measured for someone dying at 99'. It's ridiculous. There's no getting away from it if you simply don't care past 'feel for his family' which is the level most people are at. Certainly not a rolling announcement constantly on cbeebies where my children can read it (I did turn it off before anyone @s me).

Keyring · 09/04/2021 20:04

But it isn't just 'someone' dying at 99. It is the consort and husband of the head of the nation.

Therefore the coverage is entirely to be expected.

BrumBoo · 09/04/2021 20:08

@Keyring

But it isn't just 'someone' dying at 99. It is the consort and husband of the head of the nation.

Therefore the coverage is entirely to be expected.

Not all day on every channel. Really, it's excessive at this point. We live in a world where all news and media is instantly accessible to us, this isn't 20-25 years ago where only turning on the TV will give you the information you need. On the plus side if that, we also have streaming services available that don't get interrupted by this sort of unnecessary overload of 'news', so can quite happily ignore it. Doesnt stop it being massively OTT though.
Keyring · 09/04/2021 20:10

Well the news was released at noon. at time of writing it's been eight hours...suspect it won't be wall to wall tomorrow, but it will dominate the news agenda for the next 7-8 days.

It is of historical signficance.

mumsfatblackcat · 09/04/2021 20:10

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tootyfruitypickle · 09/04/2021 20:10

Given how many people have died across the world in the last year , I am finding the blanket coverage quite distasteful. His life was no more important than any of those deaths.

Thank god for Netflix !!

blowinahoolie · 09/04/2021 20:10

A Royal Family BBC channel exclusively for these stories would be more suited. Let others carry on with their lives and enjoy the usual TV or radio schedule. I am sure he wouldn't have wanted all this fanfare anyway!!

HelenHywater · 09/04/2021 20:11

I didn't realise it was on all the channels! I'm disappointed that Ch4 news is being quite so obsequious.

Anyway, I agree OP toddlers watching in the night garden don't need a banner across the screen all day.

And fwiw I think this isn't like Princess Diana dying - there's no way we'll all be able to remember where we were when the DOE died (except we will, because we're all at home) l All the " have a little bit of respect " posters are just ridiculous.

blowinahoolie · 09/04/2021 20:11

@mumsfatblackcat

I thought he wanted no fuss. Presumably he would have wanted Peppa Pig to continue ...
I agree with you.
BrumBoo · 09/04/2021 20:12

It is of historical signficance

It's really not. Really, really not. 'Elderly Royal who isn't King or Queen dies' literally doesn't register on most people's radar in the following years unless they were married to Henry the VIII....

Keyring · 09/04/2021 20:13

I think people are failing to recognise that it's not his passing at 99, it's what he represented, the life he lead, his service to the nation for over 70 years, etc.

Like it or not, that is why it's blanket coverage.

Anyway, off to watch it now!

Laters!

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