International News Presentation: Past and Present

KiKA, Germany; news for children, broadcast from the set of ZDF's Heute , 2014:



As a reminder, here's ZDF's Heute , 2014:

ZDF is in desperate need of a rebrand. So 90s.

Interestingly, this virtual set isn't all that old -- it was introduced in 2009. Given the German public broadcasters' conservatism, I doubt they'll go for a complete rebrand anytime soon, but they should definitely consider a thorough refresh of the current look. (After all, one of the advantages of virtual sets is that they can easily be updated and refreshed as needed.)

BTW, here's a compilation of all the intros used for ZDF's Heute from 1963 to the present day:

Not just the BBC's camera who are sometimes naughty...

The first couple of virtual set iterations on Heute were horrific. I loved the integration of the clock with the titles, but the resolve into the studio was just terrible. The map had no real "VR" positioning within the set, which looked horribly flat. The final version in the YouTube clip at least does something that almost works - though a soft-edged wipe?

The ARD Tageschau studio is so much cleaner (even if the cameras go walkies occasionally. I wonder what automation system they use...)

Speaking of that, I can't find the 7 pm intro from the 1998-2001 era (the blue-green era) on YouTube.

I found one:

http://youtu.be/m92LPlakJog?t=32s

The 7 p.m. Heute actually aired at 7:54 p.m. that evening, presumably because of a sporting event, but it's otherwise the same.

EDIT: I just noticed that this was a drastically abbreviated, 3-minute edition of Heute that probably ran during the halftime of a game, so the intro may not have been the same after all. Sorry!

Via Hazim at tvnewstalk.net, here's a compilation of current (2014) German national news intros:

I'm surprised at how long ProSieben has been using those "Newstime" graphics/set for. It must be almost 10 years now? (Although they've definitely shortened the titles since they were first used.)

Wow - they really love their virtual sets in Germany, don't they?

Ive never been a fan of virtual sets. Some of the designs are nice. Just dont like them. I know its good journalism is just make it feel cheap to me. It feels like they are operating from some parallel dimension. It doesnt have a sense of place. Not my thing.

I know. They are awful. ITV's downfall in the ratings is partly due to its obsession with virtual sets. Way to go, Deborah Turness.

When I say "partly" - of course, I mean it is a small part, but nonetheless, it severs a real connection between the viewer and the station or the presenters.