I suspect its because they are losing that power, or certainly their grip on such power and hence they are now using a 'scatter gun' approach to anything involving politicians, e.g. tracking Patel's car back from the airport via helicopter would be laughable, if it had been undertaken by a lesser Broadcaster, its embarrassing when undertaken by the BBC.
Social media is taking over here as much as in the USA, as an avenue for people to get their news (whether true or fake) The BBC and other 24/7 news channels are becoming desperate, recent suggestions that Sky News (costs a fortune) is likely to be jettisoned to facilitate the merger between Sky and Fox, is a prime example.
By the way Preston is just a failed Sports Journalist, shows how much the BBC is scrapping the barrel on Political Commentators these days.