e.tv launches new lunch time news programme

“In essence, Lunchtime Live is a news and current affairs round-up,” says Debora Patta, Editor-in-Chief of e.news. “The show will bring viewers developments and analysis on all the latest breaking news, as well as business, sport and showbiz.

“You can also expect interviews with celebrities and newsmakers. This is a vital step towards a 24-hour e.news service which is in its planning stages,” says Patta.

For nine years now, in addition to news bulletins during Morning Edition, e.news has offered viewers bulletins at 6.15pm, 7pm and 10pm.

“It was felt that an added bulletin was needed to bridge the gap between the morning and evening news shows, so Lunchtime Live was developed,” says Andrew Barnes.

“Lunchtime is becoming an increasingly popular viewing window and we're happy to be taking advantage of that with the launch of this new show.

“e.news' mantra is No Fear, No Favour. We believe in giving our viewers an unbiased and undiluted view of their world, and Lunchtime Live will further entrench this,” he says.

ANDREW BARNES BIO

Andrew Barnes has been a broadcast journalist for the past 15 years. He launched his career in community radio, before joining the 702 Eyewitness News team as a reporter, shortly after the 1994 elections.

He returned to Cape Town three years later to head up the news team at the newly-independent Kfm 94.5.

Andrew joined e.news in 2001 and is no stranger to e.tv viewers. He began his anchoring career with e.Business in 2003 and went on to become a regular presenter of e.news Prime Time.

Andrew has also anchored several live specials for the Opening of Parliament and Budget Day.