Thought I’d respond to these four.
The ABC News Special Report graphics are a bit odd, aren't they? Doesn't seem the most tasteful to reveal breaking news in the opening titles...
And what was the set-up with the CBS Special report - CBS2 graphics on the screens behind the presenter and she identified herself as from CBS2 (although perhaps a slip of the tongue) at the end of the bulletin? Presumably CBS2 is the local affiliate in Los Angeles, but if so why did they do the announcement on 'network' as such?
ABC and all the networks have done that on occasion for deaths, ABC more so. As long as it’s a tasteful graphic with a good picture of the person, the name and years are right I think it’s fine.
From what I’ve seen from CBS 2 is that there’s actually a third monitor and they rotate between aerial video of Los Angeles and the logos of whatever station is on air (KCBS has a independent sister station, KCAL 9, which airs 32 hours of news in addition to KCBS’ 30 hours). I imagine whoever was in the local control room realized that it wouldn’t look good and changed it. I’m guessing they may not have had a graphic of the plain CBS, CBS News or the Special Report logo in the system or made up quick enough. I’m not sure whether the local KCBS/KCAL team handled the whole production of the report aside from providing the talent, camera and someone to roll the prompter.
The NBC and CBS graphics also reveal the news before the newscaster has actually announced it, which I can understand on a rolling news channel but for prepared special reports I feel they should hold back until after they’ve told the news.
That’s typical of the average Special Report with the graphics showing why they’re breaking in. In reality what’s the difference between the graphic showing that and the five to ten seconds it would take the presenter for saying why they’re breaking in? All networks do this with the lower third on screen from the second the opening ends.
Former President Bush Sr has died, the announcement was made at 5am UK time, 1am EST. Of the little I've been able to see, CNN interrupted a package with the usual Breaking News routine, while Fox News seems to have gone into a more formal obit mode, with the presenter dressed in black and a black version of the logo.
I watched the Fox Network SR and the logo wasn’t black.
The Announcement might have been embargoed as the Sky News push notification was Timed to 4.59am when the BBC followed at 5.02am.
From what I’ve read there wasn’t any embargo. If there was the networks would have been ready and on air as soon as it was lifted. From what I understand very little news in the US is embargoed.
