`Playing games' with news denied

London - The BBC yesterday denied "playing games with the news" after the surprise announcement that it is to rush through its…

London - The BBC yesterday denied "playing games with the news" after the surprise announcement that it is to rush through its decision to move the Nine O'Clock News to its new slot at 10 p.m. in two weeks' time instead of waiting until next year, Rachel Donnelly reports.

The decision to reschedule this British television institution was originally announced by the Director General of the BBC, Mr Greg Dyke, in August after ITV reinstated the News at Ten. The BBC intended to end the 30-year news tradition next year, but yesterday's decision now means the new BBC nightly news bulletin will go on air before the new ITV bulletin in the New Year.