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Reporting Scotland
So you clearly know something about the re-launch! I understand you can't divulge much but give us some info! Are we getting a window overlooking Glasgow? My money is being bet on the re-launch being pretty rubbish and Reporting Scotland continuing to be a not-so great news programme!
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Scottish Independence
It's a shame some of the comments that are made here. Rather similar to the arguments against Scotland becoming independent. I'm actually not pro-independence. However, I strongly doubt that Scotland would become bankrupt and it's TV industry would struggle to survive alone. Frankly, it's plain stupid to make comments like that. Ireland DID struggle when it got independence, but it's worth remembering this happened in the 1920s!!!! Times have moved on. Scotland's economy is diverse enough to cope. However, I won't go into that as this is a TV forum. More importantly the TV industry could quite easily cope. Look at the Faroe Islands. (Scotland's northern neighbour) They have a population of around 45,000 (most small Scottish towns have larger populations than that) yet they manage to sustain a VERY successfull state TV station which produces around 30% of homegrown TV. It gets around 80% viewership, despite the country also receiving TV stations from Denmark and some Norwegian TV. I would like Scotland to stay in Britain. However, English people (and some Scots for that matter) warning us that 'you won't survive without us' will only stoke the flames of the pro-independence movement and also encourage broadcasters like BBC Scotland to go back to the old days of fighting for more autonomy. And finally, on a similar note - it's well worth keeping an eye on STV in the coming months. My bet is that by the end of the year we will see it producing MUCH more local programming and network programming. Alan Clements is due to arrive and all staff have been told that the future is now much brighter for them (rather like ITV staff were told when Michael Grade arrived down south)
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Scottish Election coverage
I'm aware of that. However, the media likes to make people think that the SNP getting in 'could mean your children will die'. So, I would imagine that England will have a vote 07 show with local council results but David will occasionally mention that 'north of the border' people are voting in the Scottish Parliament elections. How are they doing? Here's Ann Mackenzie to tell us. That kind of thing. With a patrionising Anne telling the English viewers how the Union could come to a horrible end, etc, etc.
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Scottish Election coverage
I would imagine England will get a programme covering the English council elections results with updates from Scotland (very relevant to the English - if SNP win it could mean the break up of the Union!) and Scotland will get its own programme.
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Scottish Election coverage
From STV's website it looks like Scottish 500 has been scrapped and replaced with Scotland Decides - much the same sounding idea, but probably a little better - Scottish 500 for all its heritage was never that great! The first live programme is this Sunday with as they describe them 'the big 4' - basically the biggest party leaders taking part in a debate. Sounds like this year (despite Scotland's TV industry being in an awful state) coverage could actually be fairly good across the board
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BBC Regional News Vs ITV Regional News
Look North and Tyne Tees tend to get much the same audience. It swings around a bit, but generally Tyne Tees have been beating them recently. In Scotland, Reporting Scotland generally beats STV North and Central (BARB breaks it down to those two regions, excluding Border) However, there are times when STV records massive peaks. Even though BBC Scot beats it it still records excellent viewing figures. Border gets a great audience share too and Meridian occasionally does ok. Generally the rest of the ITVs struggle compared to their BBC rivals.
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Who is/wants to be a journalist?
I am a Broadcast Journalist. Don't do it. Get a well paid job that relies on little work.
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STV News
STV has a newsgathering centre at the rather luxurious One George Street - one of Edinburgh's best addresses. It was, until now, just an office with a tiny studio for two-ways and a roof top balcony for special LIVES. However, the office has been expanded and kitted out with a large replica of the Glasgow/Aberdeen sets so the Edinburgh opt will actually come from Edinburgh. I'm not sure whether this will also be the case at Dundee, but it probably will be as they've been recruiting for Dundee based staff and have a semi-decent sized office there too. A senior journo also hinted to me that it's the pre-cursor for completely split programmes for all the regions.
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FIRSTLY - If you flick on ITV News and Mark Austin is at the scene it instantly makes you go 'Oh it must be something massive for the presenter to be there' and it encourages you to watch - it's tv and they need viewers!
SECONDLY - Sometimes it actually can add depth to the coverage. For example the presenters being able to speak to the cops at the scene, etc.
THIRDLY - It gives us something to talk about!!
Suffolk Killings - Discuss Coverage here.
Something people always forget with the 'what difference does it make being on location?' rant is that a few years ago the same people slammed the news organisations for never getting off their backsides and getting out of London to cover stories. Agreed, the presenters are often only there for the sake of hyping up the story but a couple of points...FIRSTLY - If you flick on ITV News and Mark Austin is at the scene it instantly makes you go 'Oh it must be something massive for the presenter to be there' and it encourages you to watch - it's tv and they need viewers!
SECONDLY - Sometimes it actually can add depth to the coverage. For example the presenters being able to speak to the cops at the scene, etc.
THIRDLY - It gives us something to talk about!!
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