What should the ITV News Channel do to improve?

I think those of you who dismiss the News Channel as rubbish are talking absolute nonsense. Yes, they don't have the money and the resources that the Beeb or Sky have but I think the channel punches way above its weight. Does anyone really feel that they've been short-changed in the way they've covered big stories? In fact, it's been ITN that's been leading the way over the tube shooting and many other stories.
I also think they have the best presentation team. The likes of Felicity Barr, Owen Thomas, Leyla Daybelge and Steve Scott are extremely watchable and likeable, far more personable than the dullards of News-24.
Yes, they could improve... the evenings are not as strong as the daytime schedule, and the weekends are very dull and repetative with largely second class regional presenters. But as a whole, the News Channel is a good watch, which breaks news just as well as Sky or the BBC and keeps everyone informed... what else do you want a 24 hour news channel to do?

It is very easy to dismiss the ITV News Channel - I do it myself, but there is real potential with it.

The Live with.. shows are superb. John and Alastair are great anchors.
Another one of them in the evening would help I think.

The problem however is the news reporting - the reports are mainly just voiceovers - and are not too great at that

Breakfast is a rather plain affair, but its a solid, if uninspiring news programme. A few more lives, and some better reporters would be a good start, not just for breakfast, but for the whole day.

Can't really comment on other output as I am not a regualr viewer, but thats my 2 cents worth.

I think ITV News need to decide what format they want to broadcast in. The news on ITV1 is in widescreen, however the news channel is still in 4:3.

Though despite the news on ITV1 being in widescreen the astons are still designed for 4:3 and need adjusting. Some of the graphics though do need sorting out, as the 'Evening News Extra' titles in my opinion leave a bit to be desired. The studio itself seems fine, and doesn't feel dated yet.

Alistair Stewart - one gem in a very muddy pool.

ITV NC has three problems in my opinion - On screen presentation, presenters and presence.

On Screen Presentation
Is about as basic as you can get. No innovation, no interest in stretching the imagination. Even Sky has curved edges and multiple colours. The animations serve little purpose and the ticker's redness is pointless. The only thing that sets it apart is the date feature. And why in God's unholy name is there an ITV News DOG up in that right hand corner?
Music - same old tired music that's been used for nearly 25 years! No matter how many embellishments you add to it - drums, flashes, swooshes - it will always be the same. Think back to ITV News at Ten in the 80s...and it's basically the same theme. Sky changes its theme every couple of years, BBC every 5 years or so. Even Five dumped its highly successful news theme after 5 or 6 years. ITV needs a fresh new theme.
Studio - Sky and BBC's news studios are open plan, you can hear bustling in the background - these channels feel like they're being run in a working newsroom. ITV's pointless wall of News serves little purpose other than to keep the CSO guys in a job and to give ITV a massive electrictity bill. Couple that with the day-glo floating lego blocks on the ITV Lunchtime news and you've got a studio that feels enclosed, cold and empty - and therefore the delivery is as flat as you can get. Even the faux-enthusiasm of Nick Owen can't make you pay attention

Presenters
Ditch Nick Owen, Mark Austin, Chris Rogers, Owen Thomas and Mary Nightingale. Bring in from the graveyard shifts people like Joyce Ohajah and the girl who used to be on SSN. Trevor should be pensioned off as soon as possible. Recruit some fresh talent.

Presence
Even when it was the ITN channel no-one took ITVNC seriously - simply because of its name - the ITV News Channel. Why not give it a more snazzy name - ITVN? Different to BBC N24, CNN and Sky News, it would also mean that the new idents could be used too. Also being buried at Sky channel 525 and hiding in between two massive names on Freeview, and even having the ignominy of being shunted off air for Scottish football on TUTV on weekends, means that the ITVNC is not an attractive place for serious news-watchers. Couple this with the simlucasts of ITV1 news shows meaning that the TOTH schedule adhered to by other news channels goes out the window, and the crap tagline "Breaking News for Britain", and the non-live through the night, and you have a channel that is in serious trouble.

ITVNC - you need help.

Thats if you take those opinions to be representative of anything wider than the opinions of the kids on this talkboard.


If it was bad as some make out I wouldnt bother to watch it. The other channels have enough hammy insincere chat , inadequate presenters and tabloid story values to make me switch them off so i dont believe theres some inherent superiority in them.


To improve ITV News Channel . I suggest getting rid of some of those anchors who lack any charisma , Nightingale , Owen , Barr etc.

Invest in more foreign correspondents .

Extend the live transmission to 2am .

Have more guests in the studio, especially expert's opinions.

Don't have showbiz stories every hour during the week.

My views are my views only and I stand by my opinions.

Yes it's a talkboard but its a rich and varied talkboard made up of TV industry professionals, casual viewers and media insiders, as well as a few trolls. I think this ragtag bunch of misanthropes can form an objective opinion of ITVNC's credentials.

And if any channel's got tabloid news values, its the viciously Daily Mail-esque ITV News. BBCN24 is sooo Guardian that it's Berliner, not tabloid. And Sky's the Times, so its "compact"

A agree with nearly all your points, but:

I live in hope Alexia of objectivity but i wasnt directly responding to you but time-warps OP.

I agree the set could be more dynamic , a more creative mind on future design is needed. The newsroom is another area which could be utilised much more and why not set aside a corner in there for interviews or discussions.



ps Anyone from sky would be delighted to see you make a comparison with The Times.

I think ITV News should have more reporters on location at any time, like News 24. Also, the studio seems pretty lonely all the time. News 24, you get the feel of a bustling newsroom and lots of activity, but the ITVNC is totally cut off from all that.

I think I'm right in saying it's underground as well

Bit crap really lol.

Im not critiziing ITV News Channel, as i do like it, but here is how i would do a typical schedual.

5.30am : ITV Morning News
All the stories from overnight, with Racheal McTavish

6.00am : First Edition
Lucy Alexander, Andrew Harvery and Owen Thomas anchor a morning show to get you ready for the day. Sports,Showbiz and Travel included.

9.00am : Business Central
Live from the stock exchange as trading is underway across Europe.

9.30am : First Edition - Last Word
Phone in about topics/issues discussed earlier

10.00am : Live With John Nicholson
Interviewing the key newsmakers and political players.

12.30pm : ITV Lunchtime News

1.30pm : Afternoon Live
All the news as it breaks, live reports taking you to the heart of the stories.

5.00pm : In Depth w/ Felicity Barr
Going in depth on the stories of the day

5.30pm : Business Central
Wrapping up the days trading.
6.00pm : The Sport
Days Sports News
6.30pm : ITV Evening News

7.00pm : Evening News Extra
Going indepth and behind the stories from the Evening News.

8.00pm : Your World
With Steve Scott and Felicity Barr, looking at stories around the world.

8.30pm : Late Edition
With Alistair Stewart. Discussing the key stories of the day. Also exclusive reports.

9.30pm : ITV News Network
Joyce Ohajih looks at the news from ITV regions.

10.00pm : ITV International Network
How the news is being covered on CNN, NBC, ect ect.

10.30pm : ITV Nightly News

11.00pm : Late Night Live
Live 2 hr block looking back on the day, reviewing the tomorrows papers.