Why so much coverage of US election in UK news?

[rallycross]

Not sure if anyone else has questioned this why are we getting such an overload of coverage in the press and tv of the US election?

It's big news but does it deserve the first 20 minutes of UK news programs and the first 6 pages of UK news papers?

I would guess the results of the UK election barely caused a blip in US news coverage why are we getting such wall to wall coverage of their election?

[simoid]

The USA is, well, quite a big deal!

[kambites]

The US is probably the most powerful nation in the world.

We're an insignificant little island off the coast of Europe.

[037]

Boring isn't it.
Bring on the slow news day news, house price rising / falling, fluoride in water, breast feeding in public ect ect
Is bbc news worse than the others or is it me!

[simoid]

Why so much coverage in General Gassing?

[rallycross]

simoid said:

Why so much coverage in General Gassing?

Yes could be the wrong forum sorry.

[S10GTA]

Its quite important news tbh. When I am elected the most powerful man in the world I expect significant coverage too

[Reardy Mister]

rallycross said:

Not sure if anyone else has questioned this why are we getting such an overload of coverage in the press and tv of the US election?

It's big news but does it deserve the first 20 minutes of UK news programs and the first 6 pages of UK news papers?

I would guess the results of the UK election barely caused a blip in US news coverage why are we getting such wall to wall coverage of their election?

Because US economic and foreign policy directly affects your day to day life.

[Allyc85]

I briefly listened to Radio 1 earlier and there were people in the UK who genuinely seemed to think they could vote in the election...

[matthias73]

rallycross said:

Not sure if anyone else has questioned this why are we getting such an overload of coverage in the press and tv of the US election?

It's big news but does it deserve the first 20 minutes of UK news programs and the first 6 pages of UK news papers?

I would guess the results of the UK election barely caused a blip in US news coverage why are we getting such wall to wall coverage of their election?

I don't suppose you actually read any decent newspapers, because if you did you would know why its such an important matter.

[14-7]

Anyone else listen to Radio 1 today where they were interviewing people in this country (all youngsters sounding 18/19) about who they were going to vote for in the elections?

Nearly all said Obama without even realising that it was elections in the USA, some even said they would definitely vote.

Made me cringe for the future (after saying that I now know I'm old!).

[CrabDan]

rallycross said:

Not sure if anyone else has questioned this why are we getting such an overload of coverage in the press and tv of the US election?

It's big news but does it deserve the first 20 minutes of UK news programs and the first 6 pages of UK news papers?

I would guess the results of the UK election barely caused a blip in US news coverage why are we getting such wall to wall coverage of their election?

Your post seems to suggest that you haven't quite grasped the significance of the whole thing. I might be wrong, but that's just how I read your post... Of course, you are also perhaps right in suggesting that all we REALLY need to know is who won...

But then it's the same with the bleedin' National Lottery and they don't half string that f*cker out every week.

[Ki3r]

Allyc85 said:

I briefly listened to Radio 1 earlier and there were people in the UK who genuinely seemed to think they could vote in the election...

ha, I heard that too...bit worrying!

[kilty2]

The US has a huge debt – despite being apparently prosperous, public spending and government waste is through the roof.

If the newly elected government can't work together (the right/left is akin to Scargill vs. Thatcher) to agree on a solution, the economy will take a serious downturn – affecting the UK’s economy as a consequence.

Politics here are reminiscent of the 70’s in the UK, very divided. I used to think this was due to the fact that the country is relatively young and hadn’t learned through experience that moderation is the way to progress – as is the European way. I still think this is the case, but politics here are driven by religious beliefs, greed, and very occasionally, ideals.

As an aside – I was back in the UK last Christmas (visiting family near London) and it was obviously apparent that the UK is in much better shape than the US – at least from a retail perspective. ‘Strip malls’ here look like the zombie apocalypse has waltzed through, the UK was much more vibrant – lots of shops, and plenty of competitive products on the shelves.

[davepoth]

"Call Me Dave" stayed up late so he could tweet congratulations to Obama before any other leader could get in there; it's that important.

The US does to a great extent set the agenda on the world stage. China probably could if it wanted to but it prefers to keep quiet. The radical difference between the two options made this a crucial election.

[Motorrad]

Allyc85 said:

I briefly listened to Radio 1 earlier and there were people in the UK who genuinely seemed to think they could vote in the election...

Same sort of people who wonder why an election which will directly shape the future of the entire world is a news item perhaps?

[SuperVM]

We're in a time of global economic downturn, so the head of the largest economy in the world is fairly important.

[Brigand]

Not only will their politics have an effect on us here in Blighty, but American politics are a bit 'sexy' compared to our own. Big parades, debates, Hollywood movies made about the subject; its all quite interesting. It's a similar thing that the Yanks are barmy over our Royal Family, whereas the majority of us over here aren't all that bothered about them.

I was in the US just before the Wills/Kate wedding, and they were going bonkers over it; coverage was everywhere and nearly everyone I spoke to asked if I was excited about the wedding. (And they just couldn't understand why I wasn't bothered at all about it)

[TheLordJohn]

The majority of yanks don't have a clue what goes on outside their out counties or states. Let alone what is happening over here in Europe. I'm sick to death of the ridiculous overload with regards to the US elections.

[Riley Blue]

As an insomniac I often listen to a radio during the night; speech rather than music. Throughout the night both Radio 4 and Radio 5 Live were covering the elction, each with its own entirely different team of reporters in key states across the USA - what a total waste of money.