Northern Ireland news thread

I thought Tara did well in her presenting role last night; at least at Broadcasting House they've built up a solid line-up of presenting talent for their news bulletins.

EDIT: And unusually, four of the five presenting roster were involved in different parts of tonight's Newsline; Tara as the main anchor, Jim in the studio covering a business piece, Sarah out at a school in that city in the North West and Stephen with the sport in the studio. Mind you, it was the exact same situation on tonight's UTV Live; Paul and Ali in the studio, Marc reporting from Stormont and Sarah at the Titanic building.

I have to say that I am hugely unimpressed (so far) by the new-look of BBC Newsline and now also by "The View".

Newsline lacks gravitas without Noel Thompson, and the whole presenting line-up, and in/out of the studio just seems disjointed.

The View was just terrible (in my opinion).

The highlight of the new programme was the introduction sting to Newton Emerson's "satirical" feature, basically a cheap redux of the 1988 BBC News "Nazi tower":



I think they cocked up at the end of "The View" by re-running the opening titles instead of what should have been end credits - unless they're doing things the Havoc House way.

Otherwise, I found "The View" passable enough, I'll give it time to see how it settles.

I see BBC Newsline has adopted a little DSO countdown DOG on the top right-hand corner of the screen during its broadcasts. Very simple white text stating 'DSO 30 days'. A little confusing if one doesn't know what DSO means.

Incidentally, tonights 10.25pm bulletin had a live weather forecast from Angie Phillips as opposed to the usual pre-record. Terrible weather over here this evening.

Not sure if it's appeared on screen, but here's a clickable link to a photo of thread favourite Gavin Andrews' effort for Movember:

http://twitpic.com/bgrm4v

Courtesy of his colleague @AnnMarieCFoster

And another pic of Gavin Andrews with Movember handiwork as posted on BBC Newsline's Facebook page, featuring the return of last year's Christmas jumper! Also pictured are reporter Thomas Kane and producer Nial Foster.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/76469_500851733280053_1868824822_n.jpg

Much hilarity on the last UTV Live at Six of 2012 as Basil Brush turns up in the studio and helps Frank the Plank with the Weather Watchers.

http://www.u.tv/entertainment/Basil-Brush-presents-UTVs-weather/6880ccc6-a895-47a4-a513-0c7c9c27627f#.UNSriQZRZxM.twitter

EDIT: Pictorial evidence from Marc Mallett via his Twitter: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/A-qOXWPCcAA9Hh8.jpg

Can we have the fox every night? As they say . . . Boom Boom.

Just Tweeted by Conor Macauley:

Seconded.

Indeed. Nice article in the Belfast Telegraph today about her departure.

Said BelTele article is now online:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/northern-ireland/sarah-travers-signs-off-from-the-bbc-and-a-120mile-daily-commute-16259774.html

With tensions heightened in NI tonight, UTV Live are doing their 8.00pm update live tonight.