ITV News

It's odd how they are both there yet apart from the beginning and end (and one or two points in the middle) they used single presenter shots throughout, which just looked wrong. Indeed I'm not a fan of the way they've handled the OB broadcasts lately, especially cutting to and from the studio without a throw during the election campaign.

The 6pm hour was just strange how Mark did the first half and then the 6.30pm bulletin came on as if Mark had been reading the news behind their backs, whilst having two presenters anchoring on location - especially at a location where nothing is happening (in public view at least), isn't working as well as when they have one on location and one in the studio.

I sort of know what you mean - there normally very good at the OB's.

On the 2nd point like I said earlier, I think it was just cause they were rushing.

I think they should have just had 5 minutes at beginning and the gone to the local news and come back at 6:30 as normal - I suppose they did have loads of interviews though. I suppose there dammed if they do and dammed if they don't!

All regions excluding (London, Granada, Yorkshire And Wales) Have Now Got Special Web Bulletins Online

You wouldn't think they'd bother - there's not going to be masses of people looking for them!

[late night rant]



The entire graphics package looks strange, whether it comes from Downing Street or not. I really can't understand how hard it is to create some decent looking graphics even if the colour scheme is as paltry as hell. Take the live strap, for example: "NEWS", "LIVE" and the place name are all in different sizes of font - looks pretty poor.

I still can't get it in my head that we've lost this...
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/newsatten/newsatten_015.jpg
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/newsatten/newsatten_044.jpg
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/newsatten/newsatten_018.jpg
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/newsatten/newsatten_043.jpg

...to this :
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/itvnews/november2009/10/52.jpg
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/itvnews/november2009/10/30.jpg
http://www.tv-live.org.uk/wb/media/itvnews/november2009/10/11.jpg

(With gracious thanks to TV Live for the caps)

Where has the depth gone? Where has the gravitas gone? Why is everything so "flat"? I'm hoping that, eventually, they will tweak the branding of ITV News to bring it in line with ITV1's current appearance (seeing as that was their original intention with the November rebranding). I'm not just talking about adding the gradient to the logo - they could use it as an opportunity to correct the bad aspects of the current look. It's sad that, to me, the branding has started to... "date", for want of a better word. Some of you may not agree, but I certainly am growing tired of it.

As per changes I'd like to see: the showbiz-zy titles could do with some heavy tweaking; the graphics could be overhauled so that the text actually aligns properly; it would be nice if they could refer to the ITV News at Ten as that, rather than distance themselves with the historic branding ("ITV News....... at Ten", etc); and finally, the set design could use the most changing as it is so darn boring. The skyline gave ITV News a classy, professional appearance - and when the tabloid crap started to be phased out at the end of 2008 and beginning of 2009, they finally had the mix just right. The November revamp, though it rid us of the last remnants of the tired 2006 look, undid all the good and set in stone ITV's lack of commitment to a decent news service. And they wonder why the BBC News continues to trash them in the ratings and in people's opinions... I still remember when people rated ITN/ITV News much, much higher than the BBC. Ironically, it was probably ITN that had the upper hand, editorially speaking, in those days - '80s, '90s, etc. ITV's grasp has obviously tightened since the '90s, and look where the reputation of the "ITV News" brand is today. There are occasional gems (Sichuan 2008, Haiti 2009, etc), but it's usually lost among all the pointless adjectives. Quite a shame, really.

[/late night rant]

I imagine the regions will have to make up the time somewhere - probably see the weekend bulletins extended to 20 minutes for a couple of weeks or something.


P.S. Do you know what Nicky, and I didn't think I'd say this - but putting those caps side by side and I'm thinking the new look does look much fresher. I agree the astons may not be the best, but they're a damn sight better than the BBC's, and in a way I'm glad ITV haven't been tweaking bits and pieces in the months following the revamp as usually when that happens the whole concept begins to fall apart.

Bizzarely think I'm in that camp now too. The new look is somewhat superior, there is much more depth in the current set up.

i was just talking about the word "news" - looked pixelatted/funny gradient comapred to the others.

I'm not sure what to think about you other point . There are current aspects of the relaunch i liked - the desk, the voiceover ,the music, the hero panels are good - it was improvement on the ITV News branding, but as i've said before NOT on News at Ten.

The backdrop was great - I don't get the too london centric arguement though - there've had OB's from London on and off for the last few weeks i.e Downing St/ Westminster. Surely at most they could have dropped the much loved Intro but still keep the backdrop.

The graphics/straps on NAT were also great.

Plus the items are increasingly becoming more sensationlist, wheras like you say thet had the balance right before.

Also on a ratings note, i'm sure the previous NAT was increasing , getting more towards 2.5/3m - lately i don't think it's been getting that! Sometimes slipping below 2m.

I think they should have kept the backdrop, added a bit of yellow branding on it, to bring it with the ITV1 that they so desire. The current once has no depth. I do see both points though , the current look is quite fresh ( i suppose becuase it's so bright!)

And all this from IMO a very pro ITV news person.

I can imagine ( or hope) that mabye sometime next year we could get another relaunch.

(rant over also)

Although I think the election coverage has been very good!

Newsflash due shortly on ITV1.

And a news special on ITV1 at 5pm

Their in a bit of a tricky situation again tonight with some sort of statement expexted from Cameron I believe at around 6. Will they scrap the local news again?

If that's the case, could they not swap the News at 6.30 with the local news? I know it would mean going up against BBC, but at least people would still get that choice.