As I've said time and time again, the programme is a shambles. The professionalism of Granada Reports shows them up even more so, I can't recall GR having so many monumental cock-ups as NWT.
I disagree with news woman. I don't think any presenter could of coped any better really. I'd rather have Gordon Burns pausing for a few seconds than Lucy Meacock shuffling through her papers. Also thought his introduction to the story from his notes was quite good, better than the usual "we'll come back to this later" etc.
I think without Gordon Burns, NWT would just lose some of its familairity with viewers.
When his microphone was left on, wasn't his fault surely?
Granada does have far less technical problems but on the few times I watch ITV's Evening News, they always miss time or completely miss their headline summary.
I disagree Newswoman. I for one can live with Gordon Burns making a few mistakes, if indeed this one was down to him and I doubt it was, because he's been fantastic over the years and continues to be one of the best newsreaders out there.
He dealt with last evening's early problem well and, as ever, apologised sincerely.
I imagine it's particularly difficult when there are problems communicated via earpiece when the show is single-anchored, with no partner to receive information or look similarly startled!
As a regular viewer of both Midlands Today and East Midlands Today (since our analogue and satellite default regions differ), MT seems to have its fair share of technical problems too, which I used to just assume was due to them using such old equipment at Pebble Mill, but they still seem just as frequent at The Mailbox.
Surely this must be down to the people behind the scenes as the technology is all very new and should be more reliable. I've hardly seen EMT (with equipment dating back to around 2000-2001 when they moved to London Road), have technical problems. EMT also always seems more professional in its use of graphics, even though their set is rather boring since they don't have such a good building as The Mailbox to work with.
PS. I know this is the NWT thread but my point is about technical problems in general with BBC regional news.
I don't think Gordon is past it, he's a fantastic newsreader and can handle the situations well, he's made NWT his own and a well respected programme, in terms of Editorial, not presentation.
The mistakes are getting beyond a joke now, I don't know if it's bad now since the Upgrade or Before so, I remember on several occassions before the upgrade of VT's not playing due to them being stuck in the machine. I also recall one occassion when they played out a BBC1 ident with the NWT theme (2002-04 version) and then ended up rewinding live on air.
Though Granada Reports isn't as good IMO in terms of Editorial, it's Presentation is miles ahead of NWT, it seems to look more clean and sharp with far fewer technical problems, their major technical problem is the correct timing of opting in and out of the ITV National News Headlines whenever needed, but otherwise nothing of the sort compared to NWT.
And dare I say even Channel M isn't as prone to disaster, though you might argue in saying it's recorded, but the 5.00pm edition is Live, and other than a switch (alá TV-am to ITV at 9.25am kinda thing) they seem to do it well...
Is it not the case though that NWT is still using the "temporary" gallery, citing the continued lack of the "LIVE" graphic to support this. If this is the case it can be expected that the gallery staff are using equipment only designed to run a short bulletin and not the main programme.
Hopefully, if this is the case the new super de dooper new gallery will have fully trained staff working it and we'll have no problems! We hope!
Anyway, I think the odd glitch every now and then brings the life out of the presenters and shows they don't merely read the autocue!
Anyway, I think the odd glitch every now and then brings the life out of the presenters and shows they don't merely read the autocue!
Yes, I do like to see a bit of problems in the news bullitins (I think they're hillarious, but NWT is getting rediculous. I can't stand their astons now, because they look out of date compared to the national news astons, and their problems are terrible.
Having said that, I agree that the loss of Gordon will be the loss of the familiarity to the programme, and we'll be having any old Tom, Dick or Harry presenting it!
Is it not the case though that NWT is still using the "temporary" gallery, citing the continued lack of the "LIVE" graphic to support this. If this is the case it can be expected that the gallery staff are using equipment only designed to run a short bulletin and not the main programme.
They are working out of portakabins from what I gather and the staff are mightily p*ssed off , particularly as BBC GMR have moved into fantastic accommodation. Apparently it was only meant to be for a few months but has gone on for ages now.
A good NWT this evening, following the silent end to the Six we had a silent sting then into headlines with no bed. The bed faded up towards the end of the sequence as other headlines were mentioned and a sting followed.
Gordon suitably introduced the programme too.
The headline opt at Six also had no bed like network and Gordon was again appropriately 'sombre'.