Really sad to see Mark & Julie's presenting partnership come to an end. Geoff Hill, and the ITV bosses have made a terrible mistake by axing them as hosts. Every news network now has one presenter for each bulletin, News At Ten and 6:30 were the only programmes with two presenters - differentiating themselves from the other news broadcasters. I wish Tom well, but if ratings decrease, I can see Mark & Julie being reinstated in a few months time!
Tom hosts Monday to Thursday with Julie on the Friday. Mark and Mary on the Evening News, with Charlene in for Mary on the Friday (they don't even let Julie do that!). Nina does the Lunchtime News on Monday and Tuesday with Alastair hosting the rest of the week.
I can live with Alastair moving to lunchtime and Mark back to 6.30pm, but Julie seems to have had the biggest demotion of the lot, which considering she's pretty much been pushed as the face of ITV News in recent years ahead of others in the top four just makes no sense at all. I think they're going to use her more on Tonight but would be good to see her take on another role too - perhaps replacing Brady on The Agenda if it returns.
(Source: Digiguide)
In fairness those presenting line-ups are never fixed.
I can't think of one week - not recently anyway, where Mary and Alistair are on the 6.30 and Mark and Julie on the 10 for more than a couple of days. There's always some anomalies in regards to who is presenting.
Recently though it has been summer so that's to be expected. They do seem to have plenty of females to deputise Mary and Julie but it's very rare not to see either Mark or Alastair on the two flagship shows - James Mates is the only other person I can think of who has presented those lately.
SF
Selwyn Froggatt
I must be the only person who's going to miss Alastair in the Evenings (6.30 and 10.00). As for News at Ten, well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to defect to BBC, Tom is not a newscaster, that was proved during Election Night. I know I'll be slated for this, but I think he'll fail and we may even see News at Ten axed again.
I must be the only person who's going to miss Alastair in the Evenings (6.30 and 10.00). As for News at Ten, well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to defect to BBC, Tom is not a newscaster, that was proved during Election Night. I know I'll be slated for this, but I think he'll fail and we may even see News at Ten axed again.
I disagree. I think he will fit the role very well.
Bradby's presenting style isn't to everyone's tastes, but he was fine on election night, he's fine on The Agenda and he'll be fine on the Ten. Trevor McDonald remains very well loved but there's no denying he was wooden from his first News at Ten to his last. I'll miss Mark and Julie but they'll still be at ITV News, and Bradby has plenty of time to make the role his own. I'd prefer things to stay as they are, but I do think writing the new format off before it's even been introduced is a tad unfair.
I will also miss Alastair Stewart on the 6:30 and News at Ten programmes. Notably, and sadly, should Alastair happen to be presenting an edition of News at Ten specifically this coming week, it will probably be his very last, if not the last for a very long time. This saddens me greatly, for it's Alastair with whom I associate the sturdy ITN brand today. A thoroughly excellent newscaster and a great asset of ITN, reaching back to the days of Sir Alastair Burnet and Sandy Gall. I hope this link is marked this week, should we see Alastair on News at Ten.
The same goes for Mark Austin and Julie Etchingham. I believe them to be excellent presenters and their partnership on News at Ten was one of true compatability and quality. I cannot fathom ITN's reasons for breaking this partnership.
The issue of "good" and "bad" presenters is a hugely subjective one, and I'm the first to acknowledge that my comments above are entirely those of personal opinion, and not shared by everyone.
That said, I'm really struggling with the choice of Tom Bradby as the new presenter of News at Ten. It feels like an entire misfitting choice to me. Tom has very little studio anchoring experience (you may tell me he's done The Agenda and an Election), but that nowhere equates to the years (decades) that his News at Ten predecessors have had as "anchors".
The transition from field correspondent to father-figure anchor usually takes years and occurs progressively. Throwing Tom into News at Ten with the suddenness that has happened,not only means he has a lot to prove quickly, but is also a huge risk. It will all come down to the initial public reaction and viewing figures.
Let's hope News at Ten doesn't emulate the recent Daybreak1, Daybreak2 and GMB scenario......
I am also cautious about these changes but it's worth remembering that when Mark Austin made the transition from correspondent to presenter he didn't seem to be a natural fit for the role, but it is one he has settled into very well.
I am also cautious about these changes but it's worth remembering that when Mark Austin made the transition from correspondent to presenter he didn't seem to be a natural fit for the role, but it is one he has settled into very well.
True but Mark had about 3 years as a relief newscaster mainly on the Weekend and Nightly News before taking on the Evening News gig full time. He also had a conveniently timed war to really show off his credentials.
I will also miss Alastair Stewart on the 6:30 and News at Ten programmes. Notably, and sadly, should Alastair happen to be presenting an edition of News at Ten specifically this coming week, it will probably be his very last, if not the last for a very long time. This saddens me greatly, for it's Alastair with whom I associate the sturdy ITN brand today. A thoroughly excellent newscaster and a great asset of ITN, reaching back to the days of Sir Alastair Burnet and Sandy Gall. I hope this link is marked this week, should we see Alastair on News at Ten.
According to Digiguide, Alastair will be presenting the final NAT on Friday 9th before Tom takes over on Monday 12th. No other name is given alongside Alastair's - either a mistake or they're trying to ease in the single-presenter format.
I will also miss Alastair Stewart on the 6:30 and News at Ten programmes. Notably, and sadly, should Alastair happen to be presenting an edition of News at Ten specifically this coming week, it will probably be his very last, if not the last for a very long time. This saddens me greatly, for it's Alastair with whom I associate the sturdy ITN brand today. A thoroughly excellent newscaster and a great asset of ITN, reaching back to the days of Sir Alastair Burnet and Sandy Gall. I hope this link is marked this week, should we see Alastair on News at Ten.
The same goes for Mark Austin and Julie Etchingham. I believe them to be excellent presenters and their partnership on News at Ten was one of true compatability and quality. I cannot fathom ITN's reasons for breaking this partnership.
The issue of "good" and "bad" presenters is a hugely subjective one, and I'm the first to acknowledge that my comments above are entirely those of personal opinion, and not shared by everyone.
That said, I'm really struggling with the choice of Tom Bradby as the new presenter of News at Ten. It feels like an entire misfitting choice to me. Tom has very little studio anchoring experience (you may tell me he's done The Agenda and an Election), but that nowhere equates to the years (decades) that his News at Ten predecessors have had as "anchors".
The transition from field correspondent to father-figure anchor usually takes years and occurs progressively. Throwing Tom into News at Ten with the suddenness that has happened,not only means he has a lot to prove quickly, but is also a huge risk. It will all come down to the initial public reaction and viewing figures.
Let's hope News at Ten doesn't emulate the recent Daybreak1, Daybreak2 and GMB scenario......
I personally will be sorry to see Alastair go to just the Lunchtime News because he is the best New Presenter in my opinion. I have had the pleasure of meeting him twice and he is very friendly. I remember him when I was growing up and watching ITN in the early eighties.
I am willing to give Tom Bradby a go and you never know in a few years time we must be putting him in the same league as the two Alastairs', Trevor MacDonald and the other veterans.
I could be Alastair's choice to cut down; but for some reason I doubt that.