I loved the graphics on BBC that ame up when a decleration was announced 'Labour Hold' 'Lib Dem Gain' etc. Were they used for the 2001 Election? I think they worked very well.
I thought I would give my two cents, just for another opinion really. I managed to split my coverage between Sky, BBC and ITV throughout the night. Although I watched more of the BBC, I think I saw enough of the rest to make reasonable judgements. Here's my verdicts, Election style:
Presenters
BBC HOLD
I thought the bunch from the BBC were excellent again, providing just the right mixture of laughter and light-heartedness and serious coverage and comment. I thought Julie and Adam were a little dull to say the least, and I'm not a fan of John D's presenting style.
Studio
BBC HOLD
Another great studio from the BBC, a great mix of reality and fakery. Sky's was too cramped, too cold and and the two-shot of Adam and Julie was far to cramped with those horrible silver backings to their laptops. ITV's was ok, but far too dark, and I do like a degree of reality.
State of the Parties Graphics
SKY GAIN
Just on this one. Sky's were good because they fitted nicely and they had what the BBC and ITV lacked - A clock! Why was this omitted this time? The state of the parties graphics were uninspired on the BBC and on ITV, whereas Sky had the full clock, seats still to be declared and turnout graphic, all along the bottom. BBC managed the Share of the Vote graphic, were as I don't think ITV did.
Info Bars and Tickers
ITV GAIN
This was expected to be held by the BBC or taken by Sky, however I feel that ITV's graphics were brilliant. BBC's did have the advantage of being bright, and nicely animated, however they were uninspired! They just followed the usual BBC graphics. ITV's info bar was smooth, and their State of the Parties had a Sky Sports style flash on it occasionally. Sky of course had more info and tickers but they looked naff. The ticker did have its advantages, but it was boring!
Explanationary Graphics
BBC HOLD
I think the BBC really went to town on this one, they looked good and were different. The inclusion of the real life policeman on Downing Street as Snow came out of Number 10 was inspirational! Also, Snow's battleground graphic with the little people, that then flew off the board onto the wall (either a swingometer or target board) were also impressive. Didn't see much of Sky's graphics, they looked rendered better than BBC's but didn't look that interesting. ITV was like BBC's.
Making it more fun
ITV GAIN
This was a hard one, because I couldn't remember who made it more fun last time. ITV's party was way loads better than the BBC's painted map, although that was fun, and way better than Kaplinsky interviews two guests, both John Culshaw, dressed as different people. Tut! Sky had Kay Burley looking tipsy. No contest.
Declaration Graphics
SKY GAIN
They were excellent. From the 'delcaration' 'live' graphic to the very helpful graphic that showed the number of votes as they were said. The BBC should have won this, for the speed at which they displayed facts such as share of the vote, and swing, as well as chnage on '01. ITV done similar but seemed slower. Sky just had the edge on the innovation front.
I thought all were poor on the Live Dog's, compared to the BBC's Vote 2001 spinning one, everyone's were boring.
BBC have announced Audience figures for the Scottish opt (apologies if these have been put up already, but I think the Scottish ones are new)
BBC Press Office posted:
The provisional figures show that between 9.55pm and 2.00am BBC ONE Scotland attracted a 19% share (209,000 viewers) with 15% (161,000) also watching on BBC TWO Scotland.
BBC ONE Wales attracted a 32% share (201,000 viewers) with 9% (58,000) also watching on BBC TWO Wales.
So Huw did better than Anne (predictable), predictions of a BBC TWO Scotland win were incorrect, but given the percentage of people who would switch to ONE by default, possibly flicking between there and ITV1, it's hardly a convincing win. Does anyone know/remember what the BBC1/2 balance was last time.
I'm not from the midlands, so could someone please tell me the name of the presenter in the picture in this thread standing beside the map of shropshire?
Despite picking up less viewers than Huw I am happy that Anne has attracted a reasonable share of the vote.
Mackenzie has not the same profile as Edwards. The BBC Scotland team did a great job.
What saddens me is that folk wrote this off before it was airred and it is no wonder that people where turned off. In saying that the share of those on BBC ONE Scotland was better than BBC TWO Scotland - shutting up all those who dismissed this 'mickey mouse' operation.
I don't think Anne has done any worse than what Kirsty Wark would have done if she was at the helm.
I am sure that she will go on to better things on the BBC Network. Anne MacKenzie is a modest consumate professional - something quite rare in the media nowadays!!!
NEWSNIGHT SCOTLAND WITH ANNE MACKENZIE
Thursdays 11pm - BBC Two Scotland
SKY Channel 960
Just how many people would it have taken to produce last nights Broadcasts?
There were 700+ names on the BBC programme credits, and many more had to be left off - it's an amazingly complex operation.
Those 700 names didn't even include the many reporters, of which only about 35 actually got on the election night programme.
Nor did they involve the NI staff, though in fairness there were credits on the end of the NI election programme proving that sometimes Continuity Directors diversify...
It was good to see the BBC go back to their old theme after that hideous noise from the last election. I just wish they'd use the theme that they debuted in 1979.
I love that theme, was so happy to see it back; I liked the 1997 version, but I'm not complaining - loved it. On a trivial point, the show called 'Election 2005' not 'Vote 05.'
David Dimbleby was fantastic, along with Proff Anothony Kind (those two should be a double act.) Marr, Snow & Bruce were good. Paxman was fab, the Galloway interview will go down in history. Banter between DD and JP also brill.
The set was fantasitic - not sure about the odd party with Kaplinsky.
I ended up watching Election Night on BBC London to avoid Huw Edward's joke of a show on BBC1.
From what I saw of ITV & Sky I liked.
Well Done everyone - apart from BBC Wales (Back to National next time - I hope!)
