The last time a Democrat appeared so well placed to beat the Republican to the White House, anyone living in the US who wanted a BBC take on the election needed a shortwave radio. As Bill Clinton took on George H. W. Bush in 1992, the World Service was the corporation's sole voice in America.

Today, apart from acres of coverage on bbc.com, the advertising-backed version of the broadcaster's website, there is BBC America, a television channel piped into 54 per cent of US households and featuring a Washington-based dedicated news programme.