First big test for new news channels

Today's Presidential Election in France is the first big test for the new kids of the media block, namely France24 and Aljazeera. Both are planning considerable coverage for tonight's results and it'll provide a good benchmark for judging these new channels in comparison to the established outlets of BBC's News24, Sky News and CNN.

It is of course a chance for France24 to shine in particular as it's a major domestic event of which to provide in-depth coverage. The elections have already been receiving some considerable airtime as you'd expect, particularly on the discussion programmes, although we're often not too keen on these as the volume differentiation between the speaker and the translator is often insufficient and doesn't make for pleasant listening. We'll see how it pans out this evening.

Aljazeera in contrast focuses its news coverage on Asia and Africa but does have ample resources at its disposal, so it'll prove interesting to see what level of coverage and guests they're able to produce.
The more established outlets shouldn't be ignored either, as we'll see if they up the ante on their own election coverage to compete in particular with France24 which will be assumed to provide the most comprehensive of coverage, albeit with less experience than the competition.

The coverage is beginning now - 6pm UK Time - so tune in!