Channel 4 News

That was a terrific era. I also liked the titles/music used from 1995-1999 as well. 1995 was the first time they extended the opening theme. Then they went back to the original 1983 length opening titles in 2004.

I have to say I'm a little underwhelmed. The studio looks great, and is probably the best bit. Titles look cheap, the opening music has been butchered (I'm not going to complain that they haven't got a new theme - for once I'm glad that a broadcaster has stuck with a theme that works for them for so long and a remix would merely have added even more silly whooshes and other FXs) and Cathy Newman is nothing to write home about. Most of all I'm disappointed that this whole thing has just been another tweak to a style that was introduced in 2004. After so long I was hoping for something a little more radical.

I think to say it's a tweak is a little unfair - it's as if they've redone it from scratch but with exactly the same brief.

I must say, I've liked all of what I've seen so far!

The new studio looks very nice, and as others have said, an evolution, not a revolution. Also, the titles seem nicer, in my view, too, as do the OSG.

Quite a nice bonus with an extra studio area, too.

The programme seems a lot slicker now, and I particularly like the headline wipes, etc, as they fit in well with the rest of C4's branding.

Yes, that's probably a better way to phrase it. It's hardly the radical change I was hoping for after so long, though.

I'm in two minds - I love Channel 4 News, I rarely watch any other news programmes, and generally I'd say the format is just about right. Changing it too much would be a disaster for me.

The thing I really appreciate I guess is the gravity and non-patronising nature of the programme. I think a good, strong title sequence sets the tone therein and it's a shame to see it's been trimmed and the headline featuring cut down.

Well that was somewhat underwhelming. The clips in the titles aren't great at all - the lunchtime version without them is better. The studio - the desk and atrium glass is nice enough, but don't see the need for a second screen - seems there just for the sake of it. Shame the astons haven't been updated either apart from the live bug, which is rather plain - and absolutely shameful to reduce Jon Snow pretty much to the top story, a news round up and thee "And finally" moment.

The "4 News" logo doesn't bother me too much but it's a clear example of something where they think how it looks on Twitter is more important than how it looks on TV.

As for the "evolution" vs "revolution" argument - the trouble is C4 News has only been evolving since 1999, and this is the third look of the white C4 era. Although format wise I don't think much needed changing I would have liked to have seen the studio space used in a different way and them actually revamp the look.

Yes, there are some positives in all of this - namely the tone of the programme has, thankfully, remained the same; the studio is gorgeous - easily the best news studio on TV at the moment; and the graphics design, especially the wipes, are lovely.

Overall, for me, it just feels a bit like more of the same - yes, they've improved the previous package in certain respects, but like you said, they've re-invented the same thing in essence. After so many years I was hoping for something a little more radical in terms of presentation. Something like 2004 was after the 1999 package; and 1999 after 1995 and so on. It feels like it's just an evolution of the existing brand as opposed to something new.

The weak points for me are the title music being cut down; the titles animation; and the dual presentation. Cathy Newman comes across as a bit wooden and Jon isn't really at ease with being a co-presenter after so many years in the lead role. It's a bit like when Trevor McDonald was suddenly introduced to Julie Etchingham, albeit to a lesser extent.

In sum, a much needed and welcome change, especially to the studio, but could have gone a bit further. 7/10.

If they were serious about relaunching as a co-hosted format I think they really did need to poach a bigger name - and probably hold off until Jon Snow actually quit. In many ways replacing Jon Snow with a duo rather than an individual would have made a lot of sense.

I also think having a lesser role within any news team is quite important in terms of breading new talent - Cathy Newman has pretty much been thrown in the deep end. There is absolutely nothing wrong with having somebody there to act little more than as a newsreader, allowing the main presenter time to prepare for interviews / lives etc. - and especially on C4 News where you expect the interviewer to pack a bit of a punch. After all isn't TVF favourite Moira Stewart a classic example of someone very much suited to being the newsreader rather than an interviewer - and there is no shame in employing people where they are most capable.

I'm not sure either the news desk lends itself well to interviews - it just about works as a trendy desk for two newsreaders, but begin adding other people around it and it just looks a bit wrong.

It's essentially just the next step in the evolution of what was introduced in 2004 - the basic elements of the title sequence and the set are essentially the same concept. It looks pretty good I think, much brighter and more colourful.

Incidently, Jon Snow's tie was a very good choice - it matches the new set/colour-scheme very well

From what ive been able to piece together from the various caps and clips in this thread, whilst I agree it's not a complete relaunch, it is a rather splendid refresh.

You know that sensation when you wear a new pair of glasses or (one imagines) have laser surgery to correct bad vision? The new look is fresh, clear and distinctly sharp! I like it.

A piece about the new Channel 4 Weather website:

http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/new-channel-4-news-weather-map-unveiled

Sadly they've taken that concept we saw a while back, and stuck with it. I really really hope that isn't the map Liam Dutton will be presenting with!

...in association with Windows Phone 7.

Although there's no mention there as to how that website map will transfer to screen, or indeed if it will at all.