BBC News Channel: Presentation

Sorry!

When you say the early News 24 themes were naff, are you referring to the pioneering flags era? Or the first Lowe outing?

I always thought the 2000 era after 'The Flags' was simply outstanding! It had that WOW factor and still is a cracking piece of music!

I agree. In fact, I think the 1999-2003 period was the best era of David Lowe music across BBC News. Everything since has been poor in comparison. It's a shame the BBC dropped those first versions so quickly, if any deserved to be used for the longest, it was those themes. Having said that, my favourite BBC News themes were the 80s and 90s ones. They were simply outstanding.

Although I do like the original News 24 music (the 1997 flags theme), I can appreciate that some people might not like it. It didn't quite have the pace or urgency of DL's N24 music. I'm glad it was replaced quickly, as I don't think it would have suited News 24 for much longer. I actually liked the BBC World 1997-2000 flags music better; it was more authoritative.

I agree with you entirely on most of that, itsrobert. Although, in my opinion, even though the 1999-2003 period of BBC News 24 was very good and much better than today's dire presentation, I must say that my favourite era of News 24 pres is 2003-06. It was around this time that I became a more regular viewer of the channel, having been an occasional watcher until then, and it was just the feel of the channel, the countdown, the on-screen graphics, the music etc that got me glued to it. I liked the brief 2007-08 look, but have never taken to the look that's been in use since then - as I say, just dire IMO. I have a good feeling about the move to Broadcasting House, however.

Some BBC World presentation from 1998 I've found there on Youtube, to enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z4wg1vMdoY

The theme music on those clips has a hint of World Business report, did I read somewhere that WBR is still on a theme from the flags era?

The Flags. It all seemed a bit American and wishy washy for my liking.

I think they could have kept the 1999 themes around for much longer, maybe even updated them as they went along, rather than a complete change. The flags belong in the 90s though.

Personally I'd love to see a more orchestral version of DL's themes in a future rebrand, rather than just a computer generated arrangement.

Yes, the WBR music was introduced in 1997 along with the rest of the flags music. So, it's been in continuous use now for 15 years! It is a damn good theme though.

The BBC World version of the flags were better than News 24, thanks to the superb music.



News 24 Flags music was 'naff'.

AGREED!