All the main news providers try to announce things with great import - but you have to admire the way stalwart Jon Snow hijacked Matt Frei's rehearsed close to tonight's C4 News by reading out a text message, direct to air, from former Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, just as the closing credits were looming . . . .
his report was a mixture of pool pictures, and pieces to camera and voiceovers which were either recorded on his mobile or sent back to London over t'internet; but they've got a proper stand-up position with a good quality link back to London for the programme.
It's somewhat geeky to even know something like this, but it's exactly 10 years today since the current version of the Channel 4 News theme music was first used. Although the title music was remixed in 2011, the rest of the music remains in use since New Year's Eve 2004. This means it's almost the longest serving version of the theme music - only the original version of Best Endeavours was used longer, for 12 years between 1983 and 1995.
It's somewhat geeky to even know something like this, but it's exactly 10 years today since the current version of the Channel 4 News theme music was first used. Although the title music was remixed in 2011, the rest of the music remains in use since New Year's Eve 2004. This means it's almost the longest serving version of the theme music - only the original version of Best Endeavours was used longer, for 12 years between 1983 and 1995.
Same day as the current idents were introduced iirc.
Must say prefered the original white version of the opening from 10 years ago to what it has evolved in to today. C4 News can undoubtedly still hit the mark journalistically speaking but personally I think the presentation and studio is beginning to date a bit - not been a huge fan at all of the direction it's gone since Samira Ahmed's spinning chair was axed.
When you think about it, although there have been tweaks here and there, the layout of the set has been essentially the same since 1999! I'm amazed Channel 4 News hasn't had a complete re-design to be honest. That said, Studio 6 at ITN is absolutely tiny so there's probably not a lot more that could be done with such a small space.
When you think about it, although there have been tweaks here and there, the layout of the set has been essentially the same since 1999! I'm amazed Channel 4 News hasn't had a complete re-design to be honest. That said, Studio 6 at ITN is absolutely tiny so there's probably not a lot more that could be done with such a small space.
Not to mention how brilliantly they use that tiny space - two areas, nice sweeping wide shots etc. Channel 4 News shows just how versatile the 2004 Channel 4 rebrand is as the desk sort of resembles part of the '4'.
In regards to the theme it's surprising how little it has changed since the first version of Best Endeavours - like The Awakening and David Lowe's beeps I expect it'll be something that won't be ditched for a long time, just carry on being remixed.
I struggle to think how they could change the set keeping the same elements including the backdrop. The screens and desks are utilised perfectly, it'd be a big step backwards to change to a standard front facing desk imo.
Seems someone had an itchy finger during a report on Election briefings at the start of the bulletin tonight when we flashed back to the studio and saw one of the production staff crossing the studio
Potential sacrilege here but when is Jon Snow due to retire? Possibly after the election this year?
Ch4 news has a large number of presenters and to be brutally honest, as great as he is and with all the forgiving problems of live tv etc etc, it seems rarely a day goes by without Snow getting lost on the autocue, messing up links, interviewee names etc. Its becoming too regular an occurrence for me to not notice.
Yes well many 'pundits' always predict that anchors and journalists will leave their current roles following an election. For example it has been speculated numerous times about Nick Robinson moving on after May.
I was just speculating given the large changes in the Ch4 presenting team in the past year or so with numerous successors hanging about and my perceived decline in the standard of his presenting.
