IM
I hope NWT doesn't go double-headed. The Gordon and Dianne partnership works very well I feel, whilst not having a second presenter and leaving Gordon as the face of NWT, there is still opputunities for banter and double headed items, such as emails etc.
Dianne would surely be sidelined to just the forecast if a second presenter arrived?
I assume this is why Stuart Flinders is rarely seen presenting the programme nowdays, with Ranvir taking the hot seat quite often now.
Dianne would surely be sidelined to just the forecast if a second presenter arrived?
I assume this is why Stuart Flinders is rarely seen presenting the programme nowdays, with Ranvir taking the hot seat quite often now.
PH
I've seen quite a few of the BBC regional programmes now and watched a fair length of time on each, enough to look at the main headlines before sport, weather and e-mails.
I'm obviously biased but even so in terms of news headlines, NWT is as good as any for this. It has a good mixture between reports, documentaries, features and the most important section in my opinion - local news headlines. Many of the other regions I've watched seem to put features ahead of local news headlines, with the local recent stories only being briefly mentioned quite often.
By local news headlines I mean the news story reporting about incidents that have happened recently (ie. crime) - people still like to know what's been going on in the region recently!
I'm obviously biased but even so in terms of news headlines, NWT is as good as any for this. It has a good mixture between reports, documentaries, features and the most important section in my opinion - local news headlines. Many of the other regions I've watched seem to put features ahead of local news headlines, with the local recent stories only being briefly mentioned quite often.
By local news headlines I mean the news story reporting about incidents that have happened recently (ie. crime) - people still like to know what's been going on in the region recently!
IT
I agree with you. I've watched NWT for my local news for many years now and on the occasions that I've been in other regions I've been surprised at how sub-standard their programmes are compared to the North West's. I much prefer NWT to Granada Reports, too - I find that GR tends to have too many features and competitions and not enough news coverage. As you said, NWT has the balance just right. I also like the fact that it is single-headed. On other regional programmes, having two presenters means there is far too much sickening banter whereas on NWT, Gordon handles the serious stuff on his own as well as having the odd bit of light banter with Diane during the weather and close of the programme. I wouldn't want to see it go to two presenters, as much as I like Ranvir.
On another note, I'm glad to see Mark Edwardson being used more now. He's now the regular weekend presenter and he does a really good job, IMO. I read that he's originally from my neck of the woods so it is nice having local talent on our regional TV.
itsrobert
Founding member
philipd posted:
I've seen quite a few of the BBC regional programmes now and watched a fair length of time on each, enough to look at the main headlines before sport, weather and e-mails.
I'm obviously biased but even so in terms of news headlines, NWT is as good as any for this. It has a good mixture between reports, documentaries, features and the most important section in my opinion - local news headlines. Many of the other regions I've watched seem to put features ahead of local news headlines, with the local recent stories only being briefly mentioned quite often.
By local news headlines I mean the news story reporting about incidents that have happened recently (ie. crime) - people still like to know what's been going on in the region recently!
I'm obviously biased but even so in terms of news headlines, NWT is as good as any for this. It has a good mixture between reports, documentaries, features and the most important section in my opinion - local news headlines. Many of the other regions I've watched seem to put features ahead of local news headlines, with the local recent stories only being briefly mentioned quite often.
By local news headlines I mean the news story reporting about incidents that have happened recently (ie. crime) - people still like to know what's been going on in the region recently!
I agree with you. I've watched NWT for my local news for many years now and on the occasions that I've been in other regions I've been surprised at how sub-standard their programmes are compared to the North West's. I much prefer NWT to Granada Reports, too - I find that GR tends to have too many features and competitions and not enough news coverage. As you said, NWT has the balance just right. I also like the fact that it is single-headed. On other regional programmes, having two presenters means there is far too much sickening banter whereas on NWT, Gordon handles the serious stuff on his own as well as having the odd bit of light banter with Diane during the weather and close of the programme. I wouldn't want to see it go to two presenters, as much as I like Ranvir.
On another note, I'm glad to see Mark Edwardson being used more now. He's now the regular weekend presenter and he does a really good job, IMO. I read that he's originally from my neck of the woods so it is nice having local talent on our regional TV.
RV
I am conscious that the show becoming dual anchored remains speculation but if it does happen perhaps it's a way to ease the transition from Gordon to his successors.
We've become very well accustomed to seeing the same presenter on the vast majority of weeknights for over a decade now and a sudden departure has the potential to dent viewing figures.
On that point, given Gordon Burns has been at NWT since January 1997, presenting at least 200 days a year, that means he has presented NWT in its different forms around 5 or 6,000 times!
We've become very well accustomed to seeing the same presenter on the vast majority of weeknights for over a decade now and a sudden departure has the potential to dent viewing figures.
On that point, given Gordon Burns has been at NWT since January 1997, presenting at least 200 days a year, that means he has presented NWT in its different forms around 5 or 6,000 times!
IT
itsrobert
Founding member
I can't imagine NWT without Gordon. It just wouldn't be the same without him. I think of all the NWT presenters/reporters, I would like to see Stuart Flinders take over after Gordon departs. He's been at BBC Manchester for many years now and I think he would deserve it more over the other, younger presenters.
NW
Indeed he is, I'm sure Tony Morris is a good Newsreader, he just over empahises everything and Granada Reports has far too much forced banter. I'm with Robert on this one, I cannot imagine NWT without Gordon as he's been presenting it for so long now.
No disrespect to John Mundy or Philip Hayton but back in their days of NWT it didn't seem as good, I remember it as a miserable programme and tuned into Granada Tonight for the majority of the 1990's.
Saying that now it's amazing how much times have changed, I rarely watch Granada Reports for the said reason above, I don't mind catching NWT, but due to commitments I'm usually out at around 6.30pm or so on most days.
I also watch alot of Channel M now, it's getting more convienient and professional by the day, but see the Channel M News Thread about that one.
Bongo posted:
NWT actually have a great presenting team, Gordon is better than Tony Morris any day.
Indeed he is, I'm sure Tony Morris is a good Newsreader, he just over empahises everything and Granada Reports has far too much forced banter. I'm with Robert on this one, I cannot imagine NWT without Gordon as he's been presenting it for so long now.
No disrespect to John Mundy or Philip Hayton but back in their days of NWT it didn't seem as good, I remember it as a miserable programme and tuned into Granada Tonight for the majority of the 1990's.
Saying that now it's amazing how much times have changed, I rarely watch Granada Reports for the said reason above, I don't mind catching NWT, but due to commitments I'm usually out at around 6.30pm or so on most days.
I also watch alot of Channel M now, it's getting more convienient and professional by the day, but see the Channel M News Thread about that one.
TV
trust me its not speculation.. bad news I think..
RegionalVariation posted:
I am conscious that the show becoming dual anchored remains speculation
trust me its not speculation.. bad news I think..
PH
I've just watched a recorded video of the NWT intro from 2005/early 2006 (around that time) and the title music and presentation was a lot better than it is now. The main intro was still in the days of the LDN style intro and it went well with the stings which are currently still in ;DN style now, but with the min intro having changed to MT/LN.
Why did they change it? I hope we see a return of the LDN style intro with the extra beats at the end - it definitely sounds more newslike. I believe SE Today still use this intro.
Why did they change it? I hope we see a return of the LDN style intro with the extra beats at the end - it definitely sounds more newslike. I believe SE Today still use this intro.
PH
Also noticed Gordon's voice - back then it sounded a lot clearer than it does now, but then if you were to watch a clip of GB presenting NWT in 1997, his voice would sound much better than it did in 2005!
He works very hard presenting two programmes and one bulletin a day, every day - any break he has is deserved.
He works very hard presenting two programmes and one bulletin a day, every day - any break he has is deserved.