neilly's posts, page 9

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I was also thinking the same thing about Tasmin she will probably become a freelance TV presenter.

With regards to Lucy Watson she was originally meant to go to New York however, after Tasmin left she was made the main interim news presenter. She will probably remain as temporary newsreader until the September relaunch.

I think there arguments for and against ITN running the news output between 6am and 7am. However, I think in terms of content and format it is much better that the newshour is returning to give the new breakfast show whatever it will be called (we all know it will be called Good Morning TV ) a more newsier focus.

There is some good news Helen will be presenting Daybreak from next Wednesday alongside John Stapleton as Kate and Dan are on holiday. As I've said before I don't mind Kate or Dan but recently the whole show has become quite dull and repetitive. I've always's liked Helen and John's partnership especially when they last presented together on GMTV. The ratings will probably rise again .

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree if they had stuck to the original format when Daybreak launch and made the necessary changes then we might have seen a different outcome. However, bosses freaked out and reverted back to the lighweight format that led to GMTV's demise. Those that are part of the GMTV brigade have always said "if it ain't broke don't fix it" but GMTV was clearly broke and had lost over half its viewing audience in a period of four years. The fundamental problem was ITV's management of the transition between axing of GMTV and launch of Daybreak.. If they managed it through a softer re-launch and had the right presenters before appointing Adrian and Christine the launch could have been more successful (However, everybody is entitled to their own opinion).

I am concerned however, with the news that Richard Arnold is potentially returning and that Daybreak more than likely will take the showbiz route. If they do decide go down that road then ratings will decline further. Last week, on the ratings front Daybreak only averaged 600,000. For a normal school week that is pretty dyer whereas BBC Breakfast has succesfully managed to transition to Salford with ratings of around 1.6 million and increased audience share since the beginning of the month.

I do not buy the idea that a more newsier approach and hassled mums are somehow mutually exclusive. Even housewives with children want to know news, weather and even sport. The last few months Daybreak's format has become progressively worse being more tacky, lightweight, and inconsistent. Even viewers on the show's social networking sites are criticising it on a regular basis.

Even though Daybreak will be moving to studio 3 in the beginning of September what's really frustrating is that they still insist of having a second wall in the current studio. The wall was useful when the mornings where much darker but now it's daylight when the show starts at 6am. I would say that the dark orange wall makes the studio darker compared to the natural daylight from the windows. If they removed the wall and pulled the LED screens back the studio would look so much better.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree I do not think that Gethin would be the right candidate for the job. If they decided to appoint him anchor alongside Lorraine then as you say they would be back to square one. You always's have to take these articles with a pinch of salt. As Jamesrl quite rightly says, someone like Matt Barbet would be the best candidate to co-present the programme given his journalistic experience with BBC news, BBC Breakfast and Five News. My main concern isn't that Lorraine wouldn't have gravitas because I think she would. Even if she had good chemistry with Gethin it would be a very unequal partnership with Lorraine always's leading. Gethin would look totally out of his depth handling serious news stories which is already hapenning with Kate and Dan (despite their good chemistry).

If there was a major event in the morning the vast majority of people would naturally tune into BBC Breakfast with Bill and Susannah or Sky News with Eamonn as opposed to Daybreak with potentially Lorraine and Gethin. I think this comes back to the fundamental issue for Daybreak which is content. The content at the moment is too inconsistent, incoherent repetitive and lightweight.

I share the concerns of many that if they decide to go down the showbiz and celebrity dross route then they are simply replicating the mistakes of the past. Ratings will decline further and more viewers will simply switch off.

Also, in reference to yesterday's controversial interview with Helen's comment's regarding the teenager. At first I thought she was out of order. But, to be fair she was just being honest. I think in hindsight she could have chosen her words more wisely. However, I thought the whole item was a bit pointless and tacky which currently sums up Daybreak's format.

Also, the past week has clearly demonstrated that Kate presents so much better with John, while Dan presents so much better with Helen.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

Thank you for the information.

The move to Studio 3 really raises the question did ITV waste so much money trying to create a live riverside view of London.

Remember, before the launch of Daybreak, ITV spent £1.5 million revamping Studio 7 to find that it was too dark in the early mornings in the autumn. Even now, they could raise the blinds earlier and remove the LED screen TV yet most of the live paronamic view is covered during the broadcast.

Before, they move to Studio 3, surely they will have to revamp it. Does that mean that Lorraine's slot will have to broadcast from Studio 7 like they did last year.

I think Helen Fospero should be given a significant role in any re-launch. She is professional and popular amongst viewers.

It will be interesting to see what happen's over the summer.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I think Lorraine could be a potentially good choice as main presenter but for me it's not the presenters it's the content that is the fundamental issue. If ITV are serious about revitalising the format they need to urgently look at the content of the programme.

Daybreak's viewing figures continue to be woeful averaging around 740,000 last week down 70,000 compared to the same week last year. The format is still too lightweigt, weak and incoherent with too many ad breaks and competitions. They need to address this if they have any hope of stopping more viewers turning off the programme.

As discussed on the forum, they could have a GMTV style 'newshour' with Kate Garraway or Helen Fospero alongside John Stapleton between 6 and 7am. Then have the main show with Lorraine and Matt Barbet who would be the best choice of male anchor in my opinion with a focus on news and lifestyle stories. After 8.30am with just Lorraine they could move all the light features with showbiz, celebrity, cooking and competitions to this slot.

However, everybody is entitled to their own opinions. We shall see what happen's over the next few months.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

According to Broadcast, the planned re-launch in April has been set back. This mean's that there might not be a re-launch until at the very earliest June. Decisions on the the revitalised format and new presenting team are still to be made.

This is not good for the programme in my opinion because the longer the wait there is a smaller chance of any re-launch being successful (if any). They will also miss the opportunity to try and compete against BBC Breakfast when it finally moves to Salford in mid-april. I think Daybreak if continues with its weak and inconsistent format with too many advert breaks and competitions it will lose more viewers. According to the article Daybreak averaged 703,300 between January and February with a 17.77% audience share this year compared to an average of 727,400 (18.11 % audience share) in the same period last year despite the share of housewives with children increasing by 2.4% year on year.

They will lose more and more viewers considering the the effects of the schools holidays and Olympics.

Source:
http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/broadcasters/kermodes-spring-makeover-of-itvs-daybreak-faces-delays/5039001.article

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I think you alway's have to treat some articles with a pinch of salt but it would be interesting if there was any validity with the reports that Lorraine Kelly will be appointed the main presenter alongside Matt Barbet. As Jamesrl has said I believe the current format for Lorraine's stand alone show is working fine. I don't think it would be helpful to radically change that aspect of the format.

The biggest problem is with the current Daybreak format being too lightweight and inconsistent along with too many adverts and competitions. They need to address this first of all perhaps they could re-introduce a newshour like they had with GMTV without any advert breaks. Then move onto the main show then Lorraine's slot as a seperate show.

I think Matt Barbet would be a good choice for male anchor alongside Helen Fospero. As I've said before they would make a very good partnership. They could keep Kate and Dan as the main relief presenter's for the show to cover for holidays etc.

It's been great to see John Stapleton fronting Daybreak again this week. If they could get him to present 2 days a week I think ratings would rise (however everybody is entitled to their own opinions). This week has shown how Dan is completely out of his depth presenting the show compared to John.

I also thought the interview with the Deputy Prime Minister was good but was really short as they ran out of time. The producers need to seriously consider how the prioritise certain items.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree it was only a few second's but she didn't present that badly maybe they should have given her the opportunity to present the programme like they did with Lucy Watson. There is some good news Helen Fospero confirmed on twitter that she's presenting Daybreak alongside Dan tommorrow. On Monday, John Stapleton will present alongside Kate. I suspect the ratings will rise.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree the old set from the launch is just so much better than the current set. They could have experimented much more with the set as ftv say's without having to deploy those hideous blinds. What annoy's me sometimes is that when there is an weather update outside the studio from Lucy and formerly Kirsty before 8am and there is clearly daylight outside the blinds are still down until after 8am. They could raise blinds much earlier in the programme and remove the plasma tv behind the sofa bringing a clearer view of the studio window.

As I've said before I do not mind Kate and Dan presenting the programme, however it is clear they present so much better alongside John and Helen. It is also clear that Dan is way out of his depth when it comes to the more serious items. I think over the past few weeks, the programme has become increasingly stale with Kate and Dan constantly presenting the show. The content is still too inconsistent and lightweight despite the 'tweaks to the format'.

Although this is reflected in the ratings, for yesterday Daybreak only attracted 600,000 viewers compared to Breakfast's 1.4 million and Lorraine's 1.1 million. Even though it is a school holiday these figures are down from the 700,000 on the same day last year when A + C presented the show.

It will be interesting to see what happen's when they decide to announce the new presenters and officially re-launch the programme.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

It was great to see John Stapleton present Daybreak again alongside Kate today. I know I've said this before but I think he should definitely have a more considerable role in the future maybe as the main relief presenter alongside Dan.

Interestingly, ratings for yesterday when Helen and Dan were presenting were up 100,000 to 800,000 with an increased audience share while, BBC Breakfast was down 100,000 to 1.4 million. Even though ratings do fluctuate the reason why this is significant is that at no point in January 2011 did Daybreak break the 700,000 ratings threshold. In addition, It is the highest rating for Daybreak since A + C left in December.

This illustrates that Helen can deliver improved ratings (whether you think she is or isn't a good presenter). I don't mind Kate and Dan presenting the programme I just think Dan presents better with Helen and Kate presents much better with John. Also, I agree with other's Dan does need to get more experience he is just too lightweight even though he has a big fan base.

Until they announce the new anchors, I think they should revert back to a combination of presenters for instance have Kate and John present Mon to Weds, while Dan and Helen present on Thurs/Fri or vice versa. I am not suggesting a mishmash like they had when Adrian and Christine were on the show however, I think it will be much better for the programme (however everybody is entitled to their own opinions).

It will be interesting with the Spring re-launch whether they will have the new set in Studio 7 or they might even go back to Studio 5 without the window view.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I absolutely agree I thought Helen was fantastic this morning (although everybody's entitled to their own opinions). I thought she handled the interview with Neville Lawrence extremely well with detailed, emotive and well thought out questions. As you say Dan's absence from interview illustrates that he is not experienced enough to handle such an interview. However, it is absolutely clear that Dan presents so much better with Helen in comparison to Kate.

Even though Helen isn't an established name she does have a strong journalistic background and presenting experience in reference to BBC / Sky / Five news / GMTV / Daybreak & Lorraine. She has proven she can handle the serious news items as well a lighter feautures. She is also a mother than can empathise with the core target audience and she doesn't have the baggage like Kate Garraway.

Also, has anyone else noticed that we haven't seen the video wall / stage or Sports Desk since before christmas. The weather has been presented outside probably for quicker updates and the sport is now presented from the main sofa. However, could they be preparing for a studio revamp on that side of the studio. I know this is pure speculation on my part.

Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree it's unfortunate that she will be only co-presenting the programme for one day. I really hope we see a lot more of Helen presenting Daybreak in the future. In terms of whether the programme should have a separate newsreader I think there are advantages and disadvantages. I do not think it is necessarily a bad thing to have a separate newsreader. However, I think moving forward it should be the main anchors that introduce the main headines at TOTH.

In the mirror, there is an interesting article about Tasmin leaving the show yesterday. It say's that her contract was up for renewal and according to a ;source' she had to go because 'she was part of the old show which stuggled'. You always's have to take these articles with a pinch of salt but it appears she was pushed out from the programme. The key question is that will anymore presenters get the axe before the big relaunch in the spring.

Also, the article say's that Lucy Watson will cover the news for next week as bosses search for a replacement.

Link: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news/2012/01/07/tasmin-lucia-khan-becomes-latest-daybreak-star-dropped-by-the-show-115875-23685489/