Although I really think ultimately news quality trumps presentation, I finally get the criticism over the Sky News 'blandness'. Previously I thought that Sky News still retained some distinct stylistic features which used to make it stand out and feel somewhat interactive but these amendments have made me join the majority of comments here in dismay.
The new studio looks like a copy of the BBC Millbank/the old BBC
N6, the new schedule doesn't make much sense to me
Ian King Live
10-11am when that is peak time people are busy/in meetings in corporate jobs, 2 hours called
The News Hour
.
Sky News Today
is bland, just report after report, live shot of someone stood outside a token location to mention a story. Worst of all, it is very similar to BBC News - there isn't that much of a difference between the two now. Both have Breakfast programmes with inadequate studios, both have an afternoon programme on hiatus, both have the same people talking about the same things at the same time reviewing the papers.
Although the one proposed seems absurd and could make things worse, a third UK news channel might indeed be needed to bring a modern, distinct style to news presentation.