neilly's posts, page 10

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree, GMTV virtually lost half it's viewing audience in a period of four years ITV would have axed it one way or another.

I like the newsier focus since Daybreak has returned for the new year but they need to keep up the momentum. They also need to stop giving any air time to Z list celebrities and concentrate on real news stories.

However, I am just not too sure with the refreshed set it looks too orange and those hideous blinds are back again. As James said why can't they use the video wall at least it wouldn't be too bright first thing in the morning.

According to the EPG schedules, Helen Fospero will be presenting Daybreak alongside Dan on Monday which will be interesting to watch. I know I've talked about her a million times on the forum but I think she's a great presenter. I think Dan presents so much better with Helen in comparison to Kate.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree I do not think the logo is terrible but they could at least be more creative about the titles. I also think this reality nonsense 'Downsize in Dubai' is the same crap as before. We had 'Transformation Street' last year, 'Donate a Day' then 'Donate a coat'. When are they ever going to learn from their mistakes.

It's the content that needs to be dramatically improved if ITV wants to turn Daybreak around.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree she comes across so much better when she present's from the sofa in comparison to reading the news. However, she announced on twitter that she will be the programme's New York Correspondent from the New Year. That effectively rules out any possibility of her getting the female anchor role which the frontrunners are Natasha Kaplinsky and Helen Fospero.

On the ratings front, last week the show averaged 700,000 viewers compared to Breakfast's 1.7 million down 100,000 viewers compared to the same week last year which is a major concern especially for temporary hosts Kate and Dan. This add's real pressure to the executives who need to appoint the right anchors and improvement the content of the show that gradually ratings will rise.

Also, I noticed that after 7am they have axed 'In the Mix' which they shouldn't really do because that is one of the stronger elements within the format of the show.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree it has been great to see John and Kate present Daybreak together. John Stapleton has brought more gravitas to the programme which was displayed by the interview with the TOWIE cast. I also agree that even though Dan Lobb is a good presenter I have always's got the impression that he was only relief presenter material. He comes across as too lightweight to handle serious news even though he has great chemistry with Kate and is popular amongst Daybreak viewers.

I think if they appoint replacements they should really consider Matt Barbet and Helen Fospero for the roles as anchors. I also think John Stapleton should be given a more significant role in the future. In terms of changing the format, it is clear it needs to be more news orientated as we have discussed so many times. However, I would argue that 'In the Mix' is one of Daybreak's most successful items that should not be axed. If they change the format they could replace the segment with a more formal newspaper review without all the usual chit chat. It will be really interesting to see what changes they implement over the next few weeks.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

It will be interesting to see if the implement the 'significant set changes' in the new year that were supposed to occur in September. I cannot blame ITV for not showing Daybreak between 26th and 30th of December as a result of the show's dire ratings of 300,000. Considering the negative publicity it would create it would be cheaper showing CITV during that slot.

According to broadcast, Daybreak's Deputy Editor Paul Connolly is to leave with immediate effect. He was responsible to editorial output after Ian Rumsey left in September. Apparently production staff were informed by e-mail that he was sacked from the post by new editor David Kermorde. The article said Kermode would announce his Deputy Editor in the next few days. It also says the new editor is currently looking at the whole shape of the programme. This could be an encouraging sign that in terms of content and format there could be major changes for the better.

As for new presenters, the article suggests the presenting configurations are being mulled over, but decision is still to be made. An announcement is expected at the New Year on who will replace Adrian and Christine as new anchors.

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/people/daybreak-deputy-ed-to-leave/5035517.article

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree with James, they have to appoint anchors that can handle the serious news items but also the lighter items as well. However, they must tackle the content and format of the programme as a key priority if they want to improve ratings.

In terms of ratings for last week, Daybreak seems to be down compared to last year which attacted an average audience around 923,000 due to the bad weather reaching a million viewers on December 2nd 2010.

Here were the ratings for last week with the AI figures.

28 Nov 831,000 AI 72
29 Nov 784,000 AI 65
30 Nov 672,000 AI 68
1 Dec 773,000 AI 68
2 Dec 785.000 AI 67
5 Dec 818,000

Figures courtesy of the DS forum.

Yesterday's episode only attracted 818,000 viewers compared to Breakfasts 1.6 million and Lorraine's 1.1 million. Also Audience Appreciation figures appear to hoover around the late 60s and early 70s which is still low.
There is still much more work to be done on the programme before ratings can improve.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree, I thought they should have showed a montage of their time presenting the programme. They did after all launch the show. I will miss both Adrian and Christine presenting the show, however as I've always said its not the presenters it's the the format that is the problem. They seriously need to look at the content of the show before appointing replacements. If they do not change the content or go to far down the showbiz entertainment route as some papers suggested ratings will decline sharply and Daybreak will become more unpopular.

I think that improving Daybreak's performance will take place over the long term. Even when new presenters are found it will take many months for things to start improving.

It will be interesting to see how long it takes to appoint the new presenters. At the moment, Natasha Kaplinsky and Eamonn Holmes are apparently the frontrunners even though she has ruled herself and he has signed a 3 year contract with Sky News.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

According, to an article in The Sun Newspaper, this Monday could be the last time we see Adrian and Christine together presenting Daybreak. It article say's bosses hoped to keep them on air until Christmas but supposedly Adrian wants to leave after being axed. It could well be wrong as you have to take what the papers say with a pinch of salt. The article goes onto to say that it is still being decided if they will have a "best of" package of their time presenting the programme. In contrast they might just leave quietly without any fanfare.

It will be interesting to see what happen's over the next few weeks in the run up to christmas. As many articles have reported well probably see Dan and Kate take over until replacements are found in the new year. In terms of potential replacements I think as others have said on the forum Matt Barbet would be a good choice as anchor alongside Helen Fospero. I think that would make for a good partnership as well as bringing more gravitas to the programme.

However, we'll see what happens with David Kermode taking over today as Editor.

Link:
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/3970771/Adrian-Chiles-makes-an-early-break.html

Daybreak - the launch onwards

It was really good to see John Stapleton present Daybreak alongside Christine today. I thought they had very good chemistry and Christine came across much more professional. I think whatever happen's with the presenting line up after the New Year, John Stapleton should be given a more significant role. I know some will want to move away from the GMTV days but he is a very experienced presenter that can bring gravitas to the programme (although everybody to their own opinions).

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree people want to know the news, sport and weather. They are not really interested in Z list celebrities. That is Daybreak's fundamental problem along with these repetitive competitions and constant sponsorship adverts. I would have to say that the content has improved the programme is much more newsier compared to earlier this year. But, as I've said before there needs to be much more improvement in terms of content. On the big news days such as the death of Osama Bin Laden and the Riots this year that Daybreak can produce very good coverage.

If David Kermode and the other producers are serious about revitalising the format they need to strategically place advert breaks much more effectively, they have to ditch the competitions once and for all (even though they would loose money) and they need to have more regular news updates (similar to 5 a day) instead of the main two headlines, as well as transfering most celebrity and showbiz items to Lorraine's show. GMTV in its heyday use to achieve the right balance before it went downhill, however Daybreak has to try to get the right balance.

Also in terms of possible replacements for Adrian or Christine, I do not think bringing in Sian Williams or Chris Hollins will make any real difference even though they are credible broadcasters (however everybody to their own opinions). I would like to see someone like Helen Fospero given the anchor role because of her experience and familiarity with the audience. However, I suspect in the months running up to April we are probably going to see a number of different presenting duo's.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I've just noticed on the schedule that John Stapleton is going to present Daybreak alongside Christine Bleakley this Wednesday. I think this will make for an interesting pairing and could work very well. It will be good to see John front the programme again with his wealth of experience.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree, I think it is a matter of opinion whether the set is cluttered or not. I think it is slightly cluttered with the coffee table. However, at least they haven't overdone it with those hideous yellow blinds. Also the LED screens are not the horrible bright yellow setanta colour they used to be.

In terms of content, the programme is getting better but there is still a vast amount of improvement needed. I hope Helen Fospero presents Daybreak again because I think she was great. I know I keep talking about her but whatever happens with Daybreak in the future she should definitely play a key role.