British invasion, cont'd.

For those of you watching God-Bless-C-SPAN, House reps will now be identified on-screen by the major cities and towns in the districts they represent.

In a statement, the network said the change came about because viewers noticed the home districts of M.P.s are listed when they stand up during the British House of Commons's "Question Time."  Either C-SPAN viewers are very slow to notice or it just took a long time to implement -- that's been part of "Question Time" graphics for, like, eons. Not that it ever occurred to me to suggest it.....

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                  

C-SPAN LOCALIZES ON-SCREEN CONGRESSIONAL ID’S

Congressional district details add geographic and political context

WASHINGTON (May 9, 2006) -- Starting today, C-SPAN is enhancing the network’s coverage of the U.S. House of Representatives by adding the major cities within a congressional district when a Representative is identified on-air.  Previously, Representatives were identified by their party affiliation and state. New graphics will also be incorporated during coverage of House sessions, committee hearings and press conferences. 

        This is the first major change in C-SPAN’s congressional coverage in the last decade. 

An example of the new format for identifying a House member follows:

Rep. Marion Berry
D-Arkansas
Jonesboro, Cabot, Mountain Home

The change was suggested by C-SPAN viewers who watch the network's weekly coverage of the British House of Commons, where members' local constituencies are identified.