The Newsroom

C4 considering switch to Sky News

But why would Sky News be better than ITV News? (August 2005)

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NW
nwtv2003
Londoner posted:
All New Johnnyboy posted:
boring_user_name posted:
Doesn't Reuters still produce the Northern Ireland GMTV news?

Without wanting to stray off topic, why does UTV not do the local bulletins in GMTV?

I forget the exact circumstances, but UTV and GMTV had a falling-out when UTV once broke into GMTV's airtime by opting out of network.


I remember reading somewhere that this was caused, because there was a major story that was happening in Northern Ireland, GMTV weren't covering it, so UTV decided to opt out of GMTV, apparently without their permission. As you would expect GMTV weren't pleased, so they took the decision to give the Local News during their air time to another company, I always thought it was ITN who did, but it appears to be different.
NJ
Neil Jones Founding member
Londoner posted:
On the other hand, I know that there were some suggestions (how credible I don't know) that Sky was willing to run the Five contract at a loss just for the sake of getting a foothold in analogue/terrestrial news. [Would that even be legal?]


Well considering Sky News has never made a profit and is still here 16 years later, I should think not. Plus their desire to get on the "terrestrial ladder" as it were (mention of this came up when they applied for the ITV News contract ) means they would probably bid a figure that gives them more of a chance even if it doesn't cover all the costs. Plus it's free publicity as well, both build-up wise and on the endcap.
IN
intheknow
cat posted:
intheknow posted:
cat posted:
I think if it were illegal for companies to run at losses, Sky News would have been shut down a very long time ago.

If Sky want to produce the service at a loss (which I'd guess, with the studio facilities they've built, they probably are) then it's their problem.

I expect CNN would love to get on the tits of one of the UK news organisations. They'd have launched a UK channel by now if Sky hadn't been around so early.


They might well get it if ITV is taken over by Time Warner. ITV will probably take full control of ITN in the not too distant future, integrating it into the ITV News Group. If Time Warner gets ITV, then it would almost certainly merge ITV News' operations into CNN.


Are Time Warner actually interested, or are you just speculating?


Sorry, the way I wrote that is a bit silly. Just speculation on my part about what night happen if Time Warner were to take over ITV. Time Warner are supposed to be interested, according to the papers, but at the moment they say its not viable; too expensive for too little a gain.
LO
Londoner
This is what Kevin Lygo of C4 had to say on the subject at the MGEITF:
Kevin Lygo posted:
I would like to continue with ITN as the news provider no matter who owns it. It's a big juicy contract for our suppliers.

I really think that if Channel 4 News wasn't made as well as it is now then lots of people would notice and it would be damaging. It is the most important programme on Channel 4 without a doubt.

51 days later

LO
Londoner
Rather muddled piece on this today:
http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,7493,1596938,00.html
MO
Moz
Looks like we're on our way to just two news outlets in this country. The BBC and Sky.
NG
noggin Founding member
Isn't the proposal being considered - or at least suggested - that Channel Four request a change in their licensing, to allow them to produce their news shows in house, with Sky providing them with content.

This is NOT the same as Sky producing C4 News. AIUI Sky have already said they don't have the capacity to support a 3rd news outlet. I guess this is because they are aware of the issues the BBC have with sharing reporters, links trucks etc. between outlets. If Sky start producing for too many separate outlets they would need to either duplicate facilities, or dilute their ability to service their outlets.

The last thing they want is for Sky News to become too big, and lose the "small is quick" ethos they have currently, with a very short decision making chain. The more levels of management you have in place, the slower decision taking can potentially be...

I'd imaging C4 are considering the cost effectiveness of building a small news production operation using 124 Facilities in-house, with Sky providing material, and possibly some links facilities, though C4 would presumably have the ability to put a deal in place with SiSlink or whoever as well. (As Sky have)
CA
cat
The proposal by Four could be likened to the deal that Sky had with Reuters from launch until the mid-90s.

Sky knew very well that they had practically nothing of a news operation in place (foreign reporters were basically regular presenters who were sent by plane -- though that's now seen as a badge of honour!) so they had deal with Reuters to use their pictures, live facilities, etc. Sky took that material, and made their own channel out of it.

The irony, of course, is that ITN were originally the favourite to supply Sky News with material when it launched. Bet they wish they'd tried a bit harder for that contract now!

Four would just be using Sky as a provider of images and facilities, the staffing, production, etc. will be their own business. Personally, still find it very hard to believe they'd leave ITN.
MR
mromega
cat posted:
Personally, still find it very hard to believe they'd leave ITN.


I think it will all come down to what actually happens to ITN. It's pretty much a certainty that ITV will eventually move ITN in-house to be become ITV News. C4 will then have to make an appraisal on how much support they are going to receive from ITVN. If cost-cutting or other such things lead to a lower quality C4 product then they will jump ship.
JB
JB
Funny how Sky say they couldn't do C4 News with their infrastructure - I don't seem to remember this being a problem when they bidded for the ITV News contract a few years ago.
MR
mromega
JB posted:
Funny how Sky say they couldn't do C4 News with their infrastructure - I don't seem to remember this being a problem when they bidded for the ITV News contract a few years ago.


Erm, they weren't producing Five News back then.

Plus, if I remember correctly it was a joint bid with Bloomberg, CBS, UTV & Chrysalis.

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