Regular viewers of BBC Breakfast were left confused and disappointed on Saturday morning when a staple segment of the weekend programme unexpectedly vanished from the schedule.
Missing Segment Sparks Viewer Backlash
The popular Newswatch feature, which is normally presented by Samira Ahmed and airs at 7:45am every Saturday, was conspicuously absent from the broadcast on 20 December 2025. Instead of the anticipated segment, where audience feedback on BBC News coverage is discussed and senior editors address concerns, the programme moved directly to other content.
As the clock neared the usual slot, presenter Charlie Stayt made no mention of Newswatch, instead telling audiences: "Back with the headlines, of course, at eight o'clock. Now though, with only five days to go until the big day, will it be a white Christmas?" Co-host Naga Munchetty responded before the show cut to a pre-recorded piece.
Social Media Erupts with Complaints
The substitution did not go unnoticed. Fans of the segment quickly took to social media to express their frustration, with many questioning the BBC's lack of explanation. One viewer asked: "Newswatch wasn't on at 7.45. Is it on BBC news later?" while another remarked, "A no show? Shocked I tell ya."
A third, more exasperated viewer fumed: "Oh bl**dy hellfire..... I was looking forward to that episode, bl**dy meanies." Others pointed out a pattern, with one commenting: "This has happened on a few occasions without explanation? What's going on BBC?"
The absence was particularly notable as the BBC's official X account had promoted the segment just the day before, on Friday 19 December. The post promised a "pre-Christmas treat" focusing on viewers' compliments for the year's output, featuring interviews with BBC journalists.
What Filled the Slot Instead?
In place of Newswatch, BBC Breakfast aired a light-hearted, pre-recorded anecdote from weather presenter Carol Kirkwood. She recalled a challenging 2005 broadcast from a snowstorm, where a producer had to hold onto her legs to prevent her from being blown over by the wind.
According to the BBC iPlayer schedule, the Newswatch episode was listed to broadcast later that same day at 3:45pm. The incident occurred in the same week that a BBC production team was forced to evacuate their studio, though no direct link between the two events was established in the broadcast.
The unexpected schedule change has highlighted the loyalty of the programme's audience and their expectation for the regular segments they tune in to watch. The BBC has not provided an on-air reason for the last-minute alteration to the Saturday morning line-up.
