Northern Ireland news thread

At last, UTV Live have sorted out the aspect ratio on their sport sting, and it seems the NI Fire Brigade sponsorship deal has ended as well.

Last night's Live at Six saw Colm McAlinden doing a live OB from Mayobridge on the build-up to the All-Ireland Final, excellently handled I must say, complete with kids waving UTV flags in the crowd. No sign of Frankie there - but he did file a "special report" for UTV Live Tonight on Thursday - which, incidentally, Ali Fleming presented to cover for Clarky, who is on Pope-watch along with Ratwoman.

And Marc Mallett (who did Tonight on Wednesday), at the end of Friday's Live at Six: "It won't be entirely inappropriate to say 'go Down' this weekend". How could one refuse?!

Also, there was a discussion programme on Tuesday night about the Pope's visit on UTV, hosted by Jim Dougal and recorded in Armagh - but, instead of branding the programme as "Insight", UTV dusted down "The Issue". Quite a surprise for me - was there any word on this before the programme went out?

Oh, and only just found out Neil Brittain left UTV last week after seven years' reporting duty. Always did well at Havoc House, I reckon, I wish him good luck for the rest of his career.

Does anyone know if Neil's job will be filled, or will sport now be left in the hands of capable Colm, "Peroxide Head, Gravel Throat" and the various freelancers?

And while I'm attacking the clones; whoever made the decision to give Sarah Clarke presenting gigs on Live at Six, it's really not working.

Last night and tonight's Live at Six was presented by Paul Clark and... Rose Neill!

And it wasn't too bad; Rose conducted the lead studio interview with Michael McGimpsey on tonight's edition and while it could have come across more refined, I thought she gave it a good go and remained stringent in her line of questioning.

Wednesday night's sign-off:

Clarky: "Rose, it's just like old times!"

Rose: "It is indeed!"

UTV have refused to confirm rumours that next week Sean Rafferty and Wendy Austin will be on presenting duty on Live at Six

Certainly an interesting development following Lynda Bryans' departure, though. I wonder if one could speculate someone at Havoc House realises having Jar-Jar Smirkface as the second female anchor is too much for some of us to stomach. Could this mean we could get Pamela or Tina back at the desk, or a promotion for Gillian?

Furthermore, Tina did the Lunchtime News today - staff shortages at UTV, no?

Finally, UTV Live's new Stormont studio - AGH MY EYES!

Some more screengrabs of UTV's new-look studio at Parliament Buildings, Stormont, as first seen on Monday's UTV Live Tonight:




(Sorry, had to share Ken Reid's facial expression here...)

'It wasn't too bad', Col? 'It wasn't too bad'??? It was bloody brilliant . . . brilliant, I tell you!!

So nice to see Rose back where she belongs, with her gravitas, authority and professionalism. Such a contrast to some of the newer faces on the programme recently. Please, please Havelock House, bring Rose and Tina Campbell back to the main desk on a permanent basis and, for goodness sake, find another decent male anchor from somewhere.

That new studio at Stormont really is monstrous isn't it? Still, I suppose its not much worse than the BBC's ice blue igloo.

Anyone else see Jo Scott's earpiece fall out this morning?

I see UTV are running a new promo for UTV Live . . . featuring Paul Clark, Alison Fleming, Marc Mallet and Sarah Clarke as the main presenting team.

I suppose it was too much to expect last week's appearance by Rose Neill on the main programme to become a permanent occurrence.

As a side note, Alison Fleming is hosting UTV Live Tonight, tonight.

Very sad news today that Jim Dougal has died, aged 65.

http://www.u.tv/News/Political-commentator-Jim-Dougal-dies/efdca561-e1bf-4b31-8c1c-3c59b2deeb12

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-11549252

Very sad news; I didn't realise Jim was unwell - one of the few NI journalists to work for BBC, UTV and RTÉ in his career. My thoughts are with his family.

And via Twitter, Mr Mallett is heading to Washington to cover the US-NI investment conference for UTV. (Could be worse, they could be sending Clarky or Jar-Jar.) Is he being shoehorned in as the new Ken Reid?

Yeah was very sad to hear that news yesterday

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy/5101754409/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/britishmonarchy/5101755089/

The Queen's visit is also on the u.tv website with video's.

http://www.u.tv/News/Royal-visit-for-UTV-HD-launch/9df6f093-cef8-4309-a7fc-b367f8bf9ab1