had an "auxiliary presenter", a phenomenon pejoratively known at the time as the "Newsnight's wife syndrome". Usually a woman, it was her job to read the news headlines and to introduce minor items. Olivia O'Leary in 1985 became the first principal female presenter; the programme has had a single presenter since 1987. The program is now wholly managed by BBC News.

Until 1988 the start time of Newsnight was flexible, enabling BBC2 to screen a full-length movie