ITV Lunchtime News: now 1 hour as part of ITV Day

Who presented Granada's Lunchtime News.?.

It was ok.

I like the new graphics and camera angles. The desk looks good too, although it is only temporary. They had more analysis too, but a bit thin on news. There was bsolutely no international news at all. I agree there were too many ad breaks, I knew they would fill it up with at least 10 mins of ads. The member of the public grilling the politician is ok though - it was not a bad idea.

Today's programme is shaping up much better. Yes, it's a lighter programme but the fresher, brighter feel is quite refreshing.

I don't object to the ad breaks in principle, but it would be nice if they were more evenly spaced - though I guess the regional news prevents them from doing that.

Good to see the regional studios used for ballot box jury live - today the guy was in the ITV West studio and yesterday that woman was in the STV newsroom.

Overnight ratings from Broadcast:
ITV1 Lunchtime News ... 12.30pm-1.30pm which averaged 1 million (16%), last week's half hour show on Monday 4 April from 12.30pm attracted 1.5 million (22%).

How did the BBC bulletin hold up? And did you notice a slightly different backdrop to the BBC 1 O'Clock News? Or maybe it's an old backdrop, not sure.

Also, was there really any justification for introducing Katie Derham alongside Nick Owen.

I've asked before if two presenters are really better than one - and in this case I think the programme would probably be better with just one presenter throughout.

I wouldn't be surprised if one of their intentions was getting Katie back on National News on a regualr basis.

And i seem to be in a minority here - but the amalgamation of purple, blue and white on the newswall looks terrible IMO.

Who the hell does this ' Body Politic ' man think he is. He is a complete prat.

Also, todays Lunchtime News ' Body Politic ' was shown on last nights News at 10.30, what are ITV playing at, and is there any point to it ??

I mentioned earlier in the thread that I thought, from what I saw on Monday, it was a pointless exercise - who cares what that 'expert' thinks and what does it matter what way the politician stands etc This is just a gimmick to pad out the programme, when really its the policies that should count!
I noticed last night that the same report used on the 'life matters' strand was used on the evening news, so it seems that this new lunchtime news is basically another arena for reports to be shown for no extra cost, like the morning news and news at 10.30. Are ITN being paid any extra for producing the extra half hour, as if not it would certainly explain the duplication of reports

The ITV Lunchtime news is rubbish, I really don't like the presentation style. DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE YOUR MY MATE, TALK TO ME LIKE A NEWSREADER!! Just read on Media Guardian that yesterday it got 900,000 viewers and the BBC bulletin got 2.7 million viewers. I think people prefer the authoratative style on BBC1.

I for one liked the new lunchtime news. It's not to po faced like the BBC. Yes there are teething problems and I also don't like the constant promotion of what 's comimng up and how to text in. Great to see Katie back.

I have to admit, when I watch a news bulletin, I don't want to "interact" I want the news in an authoritve way, plan and simple. If I want banter I'll watch my regional news bulletin, which is far more suited to having a banter "element"
I far prefered the old style BBC six o'clock news with a single presenter. I feel this is also another reason BBC World always seems so effective, its serious and professional and never comes across as dumbed down like the new lunchtime news struck me as.