I think that the UTV name will probably continue in some way, although probably only internally like LWT. Considering that the BBC has NI branding for both One and Two, however, removing the UTV name will make ITV seem less local, and they'll probably lose any viewers who watched solely for the news (not that there are many)... "ITV News Northern Ireland" (or whatever they go with, maybe ITV News Ulster?) just sounds generic.
In April, local continuity announcements and branding between programmes were suspended to reduce risk and minimise the number of people in the Belfast office.
ITV said that the changes had worked well and, as a result, it decided to make the modifications permanent.
Continuity announcements will continue to be provided centrally, meaning there is no longer a requirement for local continuity announcers.
Sounds pretty confirmatory to me. Why bother hanging on to the UTV name if it will be used so sparingly? How many local programmes will it really need to be used for and trailers made for? It isn't worth the extra cost and time.
My mistake.
ITV though probably have more brands now than they ever did in their regional guise, so another brand for programming in NI isn't too much effort. Or they could just rebrand UTV as Potato.
I agree it probably isn’t worth ITV keeping the UTV name alive, though as I said before some localised idents and pre-recorded announcements for local programming wouldn’t go amiss.
In April, local continuity announcements and branding between programmes were suspended to reduce risk and minimise the number of people in the Belfast office.
ITV said that the changes had worked well and, as a result, it decided to make the modifications permanent.
Continuity announcements will continue to be provided centrally, meaning there is no longer a requirement for local continuity announcers.
Sounds pretty confirmatory to me. Why bother hanging on to the UTV name if it will be used so sparingly? How many local programmes will it really need to be used for and trailers made for? It isn't worth the extra cost and time.
My mistake.
ITV though probably have more brands now than they ever did in their regional guise, so another brand for programming in NI isn't too much effort. Or they could just rebrand UTV as Potato.
That would just be confusing... some local programmes are already sponsored by potatoes.
It’s a real shame. I think they’re all talented individuals and I think that Ken Reid played such an important role in covering the end of the troubles, the peace process what’s happened since that he will be sorely, sorely missed. His experience gives him the perspective to make insightful journalism.
Ditto Mark Devenport at BBC. It feels like the end of an era.
Heart-warming to see fond and sincere tributes on social media, particularly to Ken from local and national colleagues in journalism, alongside the Northern Irish political spectrum.
So soon after we lose Julian & Gillian from 'the UTV' and now another 3 are going! Sad to see Frank leave...'School around the corner' and 'UTV Life' some of his highlights for me.
I wonder who will take over the weather? I wouldn't mind either our Julian/Gillian back on screen....but seeing as a few weeks ago we were told they have both left UTV, rather then "moved to another role", I suspect it wont be either...sadly
