Bradby at Ten

Allow me to wade in on this BBC vs ITV spat for a moment.

I can just about understand Bradby's point of view. He's coming very much from the ITN standpoint - it certainly wasn't their decision to get rid of the Ten in 1999, nor could it be particularly dignifying for them to be told by the suits at ITV that they can now move back to 10pm but only for 20 minutes and only on the nights we want you to - and then unceremoniously move to 10:30pm only to be told to move back to 10pm again a couple of years later. All this while their longstanding rival claims the 10pm slot and revels in all the history associated with it, right down to the 'News at Ten' title. Any idiot can see the BBC moving to 10pm was a deliberate decision intended to create a ratings battle, or they'd have done it years earlier and not a few weeks before ITV returned to the slot.

But honestly... Bradby has ruined whatever credibility he had by stating outrightly that the BBC should vacate the 10pm slot. He complains having two national news bulletins at 10pm isn't exactly in the public interest - well surely moving one of the UK's most watched news programmes isn't exactly in the public interest either! And surely ITN recognise that fact!! Would've been better if his comments were simply about ITV's renewed support of News at Ten and its new direction rather than pathetic comments about the dominance of BBC News and how it should be cut down to size, regardless of what impression Huw Edwards' Facebook post and tweet about ratings gave. No broadcaster should be forced to move a programme simply because one of their competitors cannot come up with the goods.

At least the late bulletin had consistent timing and was slightly longer than the News at When of 2001 to 2004 when it was on at 10:30.

I think that the ITN brand could benefit ITV's news output, but that the show is rightly judged on the quality of its current output not that in 1974 or 1998 etc. I think the current output is of as high as standard as from ITN's heyday in the 80's. It's easy to look back at the past with rose tinted spectacles and argue everything was better in the past etc. However I acknowledge ITV may prefer to associate its own corporate brand with News at Ten and as it's ITV that are investing and pioneering the show that's understandable. Also, ITN seems happy to be viewed as a production company and not a broadcaster as such any more? In either case, whether it's ITV News or ITN the programme is excellent and deserves success and recognition.

Were they ever viewed as a broadcaster? I've always thought of them as a news production company, never a broadcaster or franchise holder, even back when they only produced news for ITV.

Really? You should have said something before...




No, it really doesn't. If anything it's credibility has been weakened, not only by these pathetic sniping articles aimed at the beeb, but also by replacing factual information with opinion.

I can get opinion on the day's stories from a million different viewpoints. It's a lot harder to get properly researched, verifiable facts from a respected source explained clearly and succinctly. Why they're moving their focus away from that I just can't comprehend.

Isn't there is a difference between opinion and analysis? Has Tom said Corbyn is too left or Osborne's tax credit reforms are unfair on the poor? I don't think so ITN's only crime has been to introduce analysis from it's specialists which presumably you don't like as such should be left to the BBC and ITN's Channel 4 News?

I think a lot of us find the patronising, faux-conversational tone the issue. The issue is that it isn't really conversational. It's still parody-newsreader (in the same mould as the US newscasts - which are, to be fair, beyond parody)

It's not analysis vs opinion - it's execution. The concepts behind it are probably pretty sound, and were similar to those used by BBC Three News at its best. Talk to people in a way they understand without talking down to them.

Problem is that Bradby doesn't have the on-screen skills to properly nail 'scripted conversational' without it just sounding just scripted.

But at the end of the day, that's fine. We've got Huw, Fiona et al. doing a decent job on BBC One to watch instead.

Can everyone please cease arguing with each other and stick to presentational aspects of ITV News at 10.

Also 'thejules' whilst I appreciate you have a particularly pro-ITV/ITN/Bradby view please bare in mind and accept that not everyone has the same opinion as yourself. I'd encourage you to participate in other (non-ITV/ITV related) topics as it's noticeable that to date almost all of your posts have been in either this or the 'Bring back ITN' thread.

I just wanted to say that although we've been arguing with each other, I think this has been one of the most interesting and engaging threads on TV Forum for a while. A lot of members have taken the time to post some very thought-provoking and well-considered comments and opinions and I for one have enjoyed reading. I think it would be a crying shame if Schwing leaves the forum as a result. I've really enjoyed reading the debate! And ironically, it sort of means that the ITV PR campaign has worked. When have we ever had a 70-page thread in next to no time on News at Ten!! It's great to see ITV News being discussed and debated so enthusiastically again after many years of BBC topics dominating proceedings.

OK I'll take an active interest in other threads I also commented on Channel 4 breakfast thread by the way a completely different subject

Your post came across as sooooo cheeky and sarky. He said almost.

Hang on - 10!