Bob Paisley's posts

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Bob Paisley

The ITN Nostalgia Thread

The ITN News Channel was a rather grand folly, I'm afraid. Perhaps if it had been launched in the early 1980s (I believe ITN piloted a 24-hour news channel at that time, but never went ahead with the idea) they might have got ahead of the game and made a success of it. But by the time it launched, I'm afraid that ship had already sailed.

ITN had always had a reputation for punching above its weight. A nimble, fleet-of-foot, operator that provided a very respectable news operation for ITV and later Channels 4 and 5. But 24 hour news is not a cheap business and ITN just didn’t have the deep pockets to make it work. I think it spoke of a certain arrogance really, ITN thought it could provide a decent product simply because it was ITN. But producing a 25 minute bulletin that can compete with the BBC's resources is a very different task than producing a rolling news channel.

In the end, the ITN News Channel couldn’t compete. It had a small budget and it showed. If they'd spent more, they would have bankrupted the company. There just isn’t that much money in 24 hour news; as others have pointed out, Sky News was run as a loss leader for years, never making a profit. Sky were happy to indulge it, as it boosted their prestige. ITV never had the same attitude, so were never going to indulge in any similar largesse.

People still occasionally say, ‘I don't know why ITV don't launch a news channel; I'm sure it would work.’ It wouldn’t and ITV (or ITN for that matter) will never do it.
nwtv2003, Night Thoughts and Hatton Cross gave kudos
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Bob Paisley

Coronavirus | Television News Coverage

I realise there are serious concerns, and television companies have to be seen doing the right thing, but there is something faintly comical about seeing BBC News correspondents holding these long-distance microphones, when interviewing guests. They look more like Roman legionaries preparing to attack the Germanic hordes.
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Bob Paisley

BBC News: Presenters, correspondent & rotas

KolonelKlink posted:
Chris Buckler stepping down as North America correspondent to co-host new Radio Ulster breakfast show:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2020/ulster-breakfast

That seems a slightly odd career move. Maybe he wants to be closer to home?
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Bob Paisley

BBC News: Presenters, correspondent & rotas

Newsroom posted:
I honestly don’t see the point in the BBC paying Kate Silverton to pop up on Saturdays now and again. She’s definitely a presenter who should be considered when shaving that huge amount of money from news. IMO - she brings nothing to Saturday evening television, rarely does the One, and clearly has no interest into getting into a fuller role at the BBC. She’s always been vocal that her family comes first, and I applaud that, but if it’s only Saturdays she can do - a contract to sever I think.


It depends how big her contract is, I suppose. If she's on a huge wedge, but only doing one day a week, it seems like poor value for money. But if it's only a part-time contract, what's the problem?
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Bob Paisley

Peter Sissons has died.

He was one of the last 'heavyweight' presenters, along with Sir Trevor and Michael Buerk. I get the impression he fell out of favour with the bosses at the Beeb, as he was seen as a bit old-fashioned in their eyes. But he was a real 'voice of God' type presenter.

As a slight sidebar, my dad went to school with him (as well as Macca and George Harrison).
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Bob Paisley

BBC News: Presenters, correspondent & rotas

JamesWorldNews posted:
London Lite posted:
Maryam Moshiri started on World on Thursday, co-presenting Impact. (Philippa Thomas was at Westminster)


I think they’re both excellent presenters.

But where’s Yalda Hakim? Haven’t seen her in ages.


Maternity leave, I believe.
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Bob Paisley

BBC News (UK) presentation - Reith launch onwards

I know the channel is run on a shoestring budget, but would it kill the BBC to pay for the correct equipment so BBC Parliament is in sync with the rest of its output? The astons didn't really match before Reith was launched; the contrast is even worse now.
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Bob Paisley

Twenty Years of the Thunderclaps

Revolution posted:
Remembered hating the change at first and grew to like it.

I thought nothing was wrong with the previous 9 O'Clock News theme or the one composed by George Fenton.


Personally, I've always preferred the more orchestral theme that predated the current version (I didn't know the composer). I've never really liked the David Lowe music, but I suppose I've gotten used to it.
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Bob Paisley

BBC World News | 30th October 2017 Onwards

Rkolsen posted:
The Briefing is not on air. Rerunning the previous hour with Mike Embley.

Open Media strikes again, perhaps?
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Bob Paisley

BBC News | Presenter & Correspondent Reshuffles

Jay Lee posted:
Unusual to see Huw Edwards fronting the BBC One bulletins on a Sunday evening - I'm assuming the result of the Easter break changing presenta rotas.


I think it must be a bit like the Christmas rota, all sorts of big names will pop up at odd times.
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Bob Paisley

BBC News | Presenter & Correspondent Reshuffles

Newsroom posted:
Rolling News posted:
Sophie Long to become BBC Los Angeles correspondent:





Seems nothing came of this announcement.


I'm sure she'll turn up in LA eventually. I don't think the BBC's head of newsgathering would announce it and then just think, 'nah, on second thoughts, let's not bother.'

Just because she's got a new position, doesn't necessarily mean she's immediately available.
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Bob Paisley

BBC World News | 30th October 2017 Onwards

Worzel posted:
Any reason why they don't just use the News channel opening sequence with the newsroom shot?


Apart from anything else, the newsroom won't have many people in it.