If they go for something too wild, I can see the complaints flooding in now.
Like I said, they won't change them significantly. The few bits that I've seen (admittedly some time ago so plans have probably changed a few times since) have really only made minor adjustments to the symbols. People certainly would not take kindly to major changes to those. The most ardent weather viewers are the same type of people who listen intently to Radio 4. And as we know, it has a curator, not a controller.
While the symbols won't change a lot, this is a much more flexible (and advanced) graphics system. Don't rely too much on the examples online. The new BBC graphics are using that kit but won't necesarily look anything like either of those examples.
What I would like to see with the BBC weather is for them to be a little more "into" their weather.
Take for example CNN International's weather, I think that is very well presented; they look more in-depth and add a little personality to the weather. If there is a weather system, they might explain it a little, show some pictures, rather than just stand there and just talk.
I like the way CNN International's weather presenters move around the screen, rather than just stand there. Their hand movement and body language makes the weather more interesting to watch.
I know we have the problem of the UK being taller and the screen being wider - but surely something could be done in that respect.
CNN International - and all American weather presentation - has to be the most complicated load of dross on television.
Their rain radar graphics move in time sequences of about six hours, so a band of rain will be over Thailand and in the next frame it'll be somewhere in the middle of the Pacific, entirely obliterating any explanation of what has happened in the mean time.
As for marksi's comment that they won't be changing signficantly -- have to say, find that rather hard to believe. If you watch the TVNZ bulletin, I would imagine that is what you'll get. A flyover of the UK, including the major cities, with cloud cover, rain, etc taken into consideration. The only time the symbols will appear with be for a general brief overview.
Pretty pointless upgrading the entire system if they're not going to change them significantly.
They could use the new graphics
and
the old symbols together. Just overlay the old sybols over the top so older people will know what's going on, while the rest can look at the new funky graphics to see what's happening between the symbols.
What, you mean partially obscure the new graphics with the old ones, so nobody can tell what's going on?
I'm sure if Michael Fish is going to be able to cope with it, then the rest of Britain's elderly population will. Anyone would've thought it was a fundamental lifestyle change.
