ITV News

At this present day, if I just turned on ITV News for the first time, I would find it very strange how Nick Owen/ Katie Derham/ Mark Austin and Andrea Catherwood got top jobs over the likes of Alistair Stewart/ Nina Hossain/ even Bill Neeley. As much as I liked Nick Owen, he has lost it with the LN.

I remember a few weeks ago, someone posted what Katie had said on the LN, and the other day, I am sure she said like "Its nearly exactly 1 O'clock!". I am amazed at how unprofessional they have become.

Is the old studio still available in the newsroom?

Well a vague recollection misquoting someone who misquoted something they may or may not have heard on The Day Today would be sufficient basis for an extradition to the US.

A personal opinion about individual presenters would never feature amongst my favourite topics for a post but please forgive me as I couldn't resist...

I agree that Alastair Stewart is very good but I don't understand the fascination that some people have with Nina. I would much rather watch and listen to Katie or some of the former News Channel people such as Felicity Barr or Carrie Frais.

I think Nina comes across as down-to-earth, that's why I like her.
She doesn't seem up herself in any way, as Katie and Mary sometimes do.

Well, actually I find it the opposite - often found Nina cold and aloof.

Does ITV News' Nick Owen actually describe himself as 'Nick Owen' or 'Nicholas Owen'?

I always thought the latter, to tell the difference between him & the BBC Birmingham/ex TVAM/ATV/Central one!

Just curious!

He is alwas referred to as Nicholas Owen but many of the reporters/ co-presenters call him Nick.

Alastair Stewart made a mistake there. He was just about to hand over to the regions, and he said: ''Coming up on the News at Ten...''.
Woops!

I think Nick and Katie should be replaced with Alastair and Nina for the itv luchtime news. For the past 6 weeks Nick has only been there a few programmes and Katie has been off a lot as well. Alastair and Nina seem to be there all the time filling in bulitens.

I used to like Nick more on the itv lunchtime news when it was on from 12:30-1:00pm as he made the programme his own with a different signing off message at the end of every programme. Nick also seemed happier when he was presenting on his own.

Also on tonights news at 10:30 Mark edo called Alastair nick 2 times

I would agree with that. Nick Owen settled into the Lunchtime News well and made the programme his own. I actually enjoyed watching the Lunchtime News because he was the host. But when it became double-headed, I think he suffered a bit and the awkwardness has never really disappeared in my opinion.

I also have a lot of time for Alistair Stewart - his style of presenting is excellent. He is a powerful presenter without being too overbearing. His interviewing is strong and well-directed. His professionalism is evident when it all goes wrong around him - instead of taking the route of trying to cover it all up, he will make a point of explaining what has happened, pause and continue. You can just tell he is desperate to become the main host of the 10:30!

Yeah also earlier in the programme one of the reporters doing a live link kept on calling him Nick instead of Alastair

Its dark in London tonight

That struck me, too. Don't they usually have a lighter background for the early evening Weekend News? It did look rather silly!