BR
From Media Guardian:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1558734,00.html
The question is what is the difference from getting news from Sky to getting it from ITV? They are both in effect rival companies.
And why would taking news from ITV be such a problem when C4 have many programmes made by ITV, most notably Countdown.
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1558734,00.html
Quote:
Channel 4 considers Sky news coverage
Owen Gibson, media correspondent
Tuesday August 30, 2005
The Guardian
Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow and BSkyB chairman Rupert Murdoch might appear unlikely bedfellows. But it has emerged that the broadcaster is considering ditching ITN as its news provider and is contemplating other options including the possibility of turning to Sky News in some capacity.
The contract is up for renewal at the end of next year. However, if it were to decide to end its relationship with ITN, which has made its news bulletins since the channel launched in 1982, it would have to give the company notice by the end of this year.
Insiders close to the decision-making process said that Channel 4, which last weekend announced plans to expand its news coverage by launching an 8pm bulletin on the new digital channel More4, would make its decision in the next few months.
It has signed up former ITN chief executive and editor in chief Stewart Purvis, now professor of television journalism at City University, to advise on the future of its news operation.
While pleased with the standard of news provided to its lunchtime news and its flagship hour-long 7pm bulletin by ITN, executives are said to be concerned by developments that could lead to it effectively becoming ITV's in-house news provider over the course of the next contract. A Channel 4 spokesman said: "You only have to look at the quality of Channel 4 News to see what a good product ITN produces. But we are reviewing our position."
ITV has consistently sought to integrate ITN more closely with ITV News since renewing its own contract at a reduced price of £35m a year. The ITV News operation has been revitalised under editor in chief David Mannion and is riding high as a result of a series of scoops. ITV is understood to be keen to eventually take full control of the news provider.
Channel 4 executives are therefore keen to clarify what would happen to its news provision in such a scenario, particularly at a time when broadcasters will be competing ever more fiercely for viewers in the face of audience fragmentation.
.......
But Channel 4 also has a number of other options open to it. Some see the favourite as an arms length arrangement, effectively renting studio space, facilities and staff from Sky or elsewhere but installing its own team of executives to run its programming.
Owen Gibson, media correspondent
Tuesday August 30, 2005
The Guardian
Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow and BSkyB chairman Rupert Murdoch might appear unlikely bedfellows. But it has emerged that the broadcaster is considering ditching ITN as its news provider and is contemplating other options including the possibility of turning to Sky News in some capacity.
The contract is up for renewal at the end of next year. However, if it were to decide to end its relationship with ITN, which has made its news bulletins since the channel launched in 1982, it would have to give the company notice by the end of this year.
Insiders close to the decision-making process said that Channel 4, which last weekend announced plans to expand its news coverage by launching an 8pm bulletin on the new digital channel More4, would make its decision in the next few months.
It has signed up former ITN chief executive and editor in chief Stewart Purvis, now professor of television journalism at City University, to advise on the future of its news operation.
While pleased with the standard of news provided to its lunchtime news and its flagship hour-long 7pm bulletin by ITN, executives are said to be concerned by developments that could lead to it effectively becoming ITV's in-house news provider over the course of the next contract. A Channel 4 spokesman said: "You only have to look at the quality of Channel 4 News to see what a good product ITN produces. But we are reviewing our position."
ITV has consistently sought to integrate ITN more closely with ITV News since renewing its own contract at a reduced price of £35m a year. The ITV News operation has been revitalised under editor in chief David Mannion and is riding high as a result of a series of scoops. ITV is understood to be keen to eventually take full control of the news provider.
Channel 4 executives are therefore keen to clarify what would happen to its news provision in such a scenario, particularly at a time when broadcasters will be competing ever more fiercely for viewers in the face of audience fragmentation.
.......
But Channel 4 also has a number of other options open to it. Some see the favourite as an arms length arrangement, effectively renting studio space, facilities and staff from Sky or elsewhere but installing its own team of executives to run its programming.
The question is what is the difference from getting news from Sky to getting it from ITV? They are both in effect rival companies.
And why would taking news from ITV be such a problem when C4 have many programmes made by ITV, most notably Countdown.