TV
I enjoy Vietnamese food, and I have neither a beard nor tattoos. I'm not commenting on the diverse nature of London's restaurant scene, I'm commenting on LL's continued and sustained pandering to an extremely niche and specific demographic that has nearly caused its financial destruction.
London is indeed "famous far and wide for the diversity of its ethnic restaurants". Shame LL only tells us about ones with a Hackney/Shoreditch address.
It is odd especially as I watched 15 minutes for the first time this week the other day and ad break was mostly pensions, incontinence products and pushing a new 'London In The Olden Days' black and white show and their Ealing movies. I think the reason it appears hipster is because they can't access to anything or anyone really high profile these days as it's seen as a bit of a dead duck so by default they can only do niche.
Tuned in again to catch some of the Live From London show another day and couldn't stick it for long. Dull. an hours is clearly way too long. They often can't even get the credits right for things on footage they use half the time which is just sloppy and amateur - the audience might not know or care but anyone in the know would notice. Their most popular shows appeals to 'ladz' e.g. Danny Dyers/Gangster/Hooligan movies with Ali G and Chicken/Phone Shop/C4/MIC repeats etc rather than hipsters (minus the odd choice of presenters sometimes and their festival/eclectic event coverage) if you look at the ratings yet the black and white stuff does well too. As does the boxing by the looks of it. It's a very odd hybrid but it's certainly not a channel with a clear identity. I certainly wouldn't like the job or trying to market it.
Like it or not, at least until earlier this year and around launch it had some kind of identity (or identities) even if it didn't work as well as it should have but right now it doesn't even have that. They just want someone to watch, anyone and if the cost of content to viewers ratio makes financial then THAT is what they will broadcast but to me that's not running a TV channel.
Since when does one need to be a hipster in order to enjoy Vietnamese food? London is famous far and wide for the diversity of its ethnic restaurants.
I enjoy Vietnamese food, and I have neither a beard nor tattoos. I'm not commenting on the diverse nature of London's restaurant scene, I'm commenting on LL's continued and sustained pandering to an extremely niche and specific demographic that has nearly caused its financial destruction.
London is indeed "famous far and wide for the diversity of its ethnic restaurants". Shame LL only tells us about ones with a Hackney/Shoreditch address.
It is odd especially as I watched 15 minutes for the first time this week the other day and ad break was mostly pensions, incontinence products and pushing a new 'London In The Olden Days' black and white show and their Ealing movies. I think the reason it appears hipster is because they can't access to anything or anyone really high profile these days as it's seen as a bit of a dead duck so by default they can only do niche.
Tuned in again to catch some of the Live From London show another day and couldn't stick it for long. Dull. an hours is clearly way too long. They often can't even get the credits right for things on footage they use half the time which is just sloppy and amateur - the audience might not know or care but anyone in the know would notice. Their most popular shows appeals to 'ladz' e.g. Danny Dyers/Gangster/Hooligan movies with Ali G and Chicken/Phone Shop/C4/MIC repeats etc rather than hipsters (minus the odd choice of presenters sometimes and their festival/eclectic event coverage) if you look at the ratings yet the black and white stuff does well too. As does the boxing by the looks of it. It's a very odd hybrid but it's certainly not a channel with a clear identity. I certainly wouldn't like the job or trying to market it.
Like it or not, at least until earlier this year and around launch it had some kind of identity (or identities) even if it didn't work as well as it should have but right now it doesn't even have that. They just want someone to watch, anyone and if the cost of content to viewers ratio makes financial then THAT is what they will broadcast but to me that's not running a TV channel.
LL
It is odd especially as I watched 15 minutes for the first time this week the other day and ad break was mostly pensions, incontinence products and pushing a new 'London In The Olden Days' black and white show and their Ealing movies. I think the reason it appears hipster is because they can't access to anything or anyone really high profile these days as it's seen as a bit of a dead duck so by default they can only do niche.
Tuned in again to catch some of the Live From London show another day and couldn't stick it for long. Dull. an hours is clearly way too long. They often can't even get the credits right for things on footage they use half the time which is just sloppy and amateur - the audience might not know or care but anyone in the know would notice. Their most popular shows appeals to 'ladz' e.g. Danny Dyers/Gangster/Hooligan movies with Ali G and Chicken/Phone Shop/C4/MIC repeats etc rather than hipsters (minus the odd choice of presenters sometimes and their festival/eclectic event coverage) if you look at the ratings yet the black and white stuff does well too. As does the boxing by the looks of it. It's a very odd hybrid but it's certainly not a channel with a clear identity. I certainly wouldn't like the job or trying to market it.
If anything it should be male skewed going by those rating trends.
London Lite
Founding member
It is odd especially as I watched 15 minutes for the first time this week the other day and ad break was mostly pensions, incontinence products and pushing a new 'London In The Olden Days' black and white show and their Ealing movies. I think the reason it appears hipster is because they can't access to anything or anyone really high profile these days as it's seen as a bit of a dead duck so by default they can only do niche.
Tuned in again to catch some of the Live From London show another day and couldn't stick it for long. Dull. an hours is clearly way too long. They often can't even get the credits right for things on footage they use half the time which is just sloppy and amateur - the audience might not know or care but anyone in the know would notice. Their most popular shows appeals to 'ladz' e.g. Danny Dyers/Gangster/Hooligan movies with Ali G and Chicken/Phone Shop/C4/MIC repeats etc rather than hipsters (minus the odd choice of presenters sometimes and their festival/eclectic event coverage) if you look at the ratings yet the black and white stuff does well too. As does the boxing by the looks of it. It's a very odd hybrid but it's certainly not a channel with a clear identity. I certainly wouldn't like the job or trying to market it.
If anything it should be male skewed going by those rating trends.
SD
Nothing defines London Live.
There are no stand-out hits in programming terms. There's just 5 hours a day of London Lethargic News and endless repeats of shows everyone's seen before.
Even the Ealing Films - something a bit unusual when they started, are being played to death - just like their bloody trailers!
There are no personalities, no engagement or interaction with the audience, no reason to view.
It's become just another bland satellite channel when it should be so much more.
There are no stand-out hits in programming terms. There's just 5 hours a day of London Lethargic News and endless repeats of shows everyone's seen before.
Even the Ealing Films - something a bit unusual when they started, are being played to death - just like their bloody trailers!
There are no personalities, no engagement or interaction with the audience, no reason to view.
It's become just another bland satellite channel when it should be so much more.
MO
I feel in order to make certain civic topics interesting you really have to think differently on how to present these types of programs. In London transport is a huge deal. it affects everyones life. So I think it necessary to a have maybe a monthly program on transport issues across the capital. But instead of talking heads in a studio which is extremely boring. THink differently
Back in 2009 CP24 presented a transport issues program. But using the signature innovative style they chose to present the program live from a moving TTC streetcar as it moves through the streets of Toronto. It was innovative but just the idea of presenting the program from streetcar was fantastic. The host was a TTC chairman and city councilman and quite a good host.
Check out part of the 1st broadcast. Notice the use of the signature CP24/Cityv clipboard. He is joined by Citytv/CP24 vet Ann Rohmer for the inaugural broadcast. Also notice the liberal use of cameras inside and outside of the street car.
Also they have a monthly 60min live programme in which the mayor is the cohost and takes questions and comments from citizens about issues or questions. For a large city in North America this is a unusual programme.
Have a look.
http://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=576522
They also have a cop show called The Commish in which the top cop answers to the citizenry. ITs a good idea.
https://vimeo.com/55459795
What about a property discussion program. Property prices are insane in London discuss real issues surrounding buying and selling in the capital.
Back in 2009 CP24 presented a transport issues program. But using the signature innovative style they chose to present the program live from a moving TTC streetcar as it moves through the streets of Toronto. It was innovative but just the idea of presenting the program from streetcar was fantastic. The host was a TTC chairman and city councilman and quite a good host.
Check out part of the 1st broadcast. Notice the use of the signature CP24/Cityv clipboard. He is joined by Citytv/CP24 vet Ann Rohmer for the inaugural broadcast. Also notice the liberal use of cameras inside and outside of the street car.
Also they have a monthly 60min live programme in which the mayor is the cohost and takes questions and comments from citizens about issues or questions. For a large city in North America this is a unusual programme.
Have a look.
http://www.cp24.com/video?clipId=576522
They also have a cop show called The Commish in which the top cop answers to the citizenry. ITs a good idea.
https://vimeo.com/55459795
What about a property discussion program. Property prices are insane in London discuss real issues surrounding buying and selling in the capital.
Last edited by Mouseboy33 on 5 July 2015 4:47am - 3 times in total
TV
Not sure if it's part of wider changes (unless the wider changes are it also not appearing on our screens). When I do see them they look so ropey, tatty and dirty that, to be honest, they should either replace them or ditch them entirely. They look cheap and nasty.
Actually, coming to think of it, they fit the brand well thinking about it.
Just a small thing, but I've noticed a few times now that the distinctive orange mic covers aren't being used on some live crosses. Not sure if this is just because they've run out, or there are wider changes coming ....
Not sure if it's part of wider changes (unless the wider changes are it also not appearing on our screens). When I do see them they look so ropey, tatty and dirty that, to be honest, they should either replace them or ditch them entirely. They look cheap and nasty.
Actually, coming to think of it, they fit the brand well thinking about it.
LL
London Lite
Founding member
The branded mics were one of the few positive decisions made by the original management.
SD
It was the only thing Vicki Cook got right...
The branded mics were one of the few positive decisions made by the original management.
It was the only thing Vicki Cook got right...
MO
yeah i think so too. a nice mic flag or mic cover is such a good idea. I hate the dead gray squirrel on a stick mic. Looks so ugly and tacky on camera. Citytv achieved that with their signature mic flags and clipboards.
The branded mics were one of the few positive decisions made by the original management.
yeah i think so too. a nice mic flag or mic cover is such a good idea. I hate the dead gray squirrel on a stick mic. Looks so ugly and tacky on camera. Citytv achieved that with their signature mic flags and clipboards.
NG
Though they are two different solutions to different problems, with a 416-style mic in a Rycote Softie a lot more useful in some situations than a stick mic with a foam windshield on it, particularly if you are shooting for effects rather than reporter or interviewee sound.
In the UK, historically reporters have used personal mics (aka Lavs), with the Rycote softies (aka 'dead grey squirrel') used more for camera mics - but also there for use in windy or noisy situations where a personal mic isn't suitable. (News crews often don't carry the fluffy mini-wind baffles for personal mics) That's why we don't really see as many branded stick mics in UK news shows - and also because they are seen as a bit naff...
noggin
Founding member
I hate the dead gray squirrel on a stick mic. Looks so ugly and tacky on camera. Citytv achieved that with their signature mic flags and clipboards.
Though they are two different solutions to different problems, with a 416-style mic in a Rycote Softie a lot more useful in some situations than a stick mic with a foam windshield on it, particularly if you are shooting for effects rather than reporter or interviewee sound.
In the UK, historically reporters have used personal mics (aka Lavs), with the Rycote softies (aka 'dead grey squirrel') used more for camera mics - but also there for use in windy or noisy situations where a personal mic isn't suitable. (News crews often don't carry the fluffy mini-wind baffles for personal mics) That's why we don't really see as many branded stick mics in UK news shows - and also because they are seen as a bit naff...