Well it's being 7 years since the introduction of Widescreen, most programmes are broadcasted in 16:9, however it seems most ITV News (and Regional News) programmes are still in 4:3 (and cropped to 14:9 on digital), anyway getting straight to the point, why is it that ITV News isn't in 16:9 after all these years?
I remember I emailed Anglia about this, and I got a reply from the Managing Director, he said they can do widescreen but ITV News won't let them to yet.
I mean even though some BBC newsrooms can only do 4:3, the national news is still in 16:9.
LNN were ready to broadcast London Tonight in widescreen from early 2000. In fact they were itching to do it, there were many meetings about it, but ultimately "ITV News" prevented it.
The nearest they got were the weather reports within the programmes (I think it's still unique for a show to change aspect ratio mid-way) and the live holds.
Until the ITN dinosaur decides it's ready, we'll all have to wait.
What's the case with regions such as Meridian and Tyne Tees who have both moved into New Studios not too long back, what are the chances that these are equipped with 16:9 facilties? Or would ITV have gone for the cheap option of purchasing standard cameras? I'd have thought not, but I'm not sure what the case is.
I'd also guess that some Regions that house Network productions such as Granada, Yorkshire and Wales (Not entirely Network but programmes made there are shown on other channels) should be capable of 16:9?
I'd also guess that some Regions that house Network productions such as Granada, Yorkshire and Wales (Not entirely Network but programmes made there are shown on other channels) should be capable of 16:9?
Remember its not only studio cameras that need to be 16:9 but also all the various cameras used for reports. There's no point having a 16:9 programme if all the reports are going to be in 4:3!
I suspect nearly all the regions are capable. It's ITN that's holding everything back.
I don't think Scotland Today are. They always seem to have black bars at the side during GMTV. Some of the live link-ups are terrible quality - it could be the widescreen cameras being converted to 4:3.
Their equipment will probably change with the move to Pacific Quay next month but I doubt it'll change to widescreen right away though. Bloody ITN...
What's the case with regions such as Meridian and Tyne Tees who have both moved into New Studios not too long back, what are the chances that these are equipped with 16:9 facilties? Or would ITV have gone for the cheap option of purchasing standard cameras? I'd have thought not, but I'm not sure what the case is.
Tyne Tees certainly can do 16:9 because their other programmes go out in 16:9 (e.g. Soccer Night, comes from the same studio as the news).
edit: just realised, incredibly sad fact, I posted that exactly at 12.00 on today, June 15th, my birthday. god someone take me away from this place!!
What's the case with regions such as Meridian and Tyne Tees who have both moved into New Studios not too long back, what are the chances that these are equipped with 16:9 facilties? Or would ITV have gone for the cheap option of purchasing standard cameras? I'd have thought not, but I'm not sure what the case is.
I'd also guess that some Regions that house Network productions such as Granada, Yorkshire and Wales (Not entirely Network but programmes made there are shown on other channels) should be capable of 16:9?
Most regional studios will have 16:9/4:3 switchable cameras - unless you are buying VERY cheap cameras there is no major cost incentive to going 4:3 only (though there are some slight advantages to buying 4:3 only cameras in lens terms if you know you are never going to run 16:9)
The reason ITV Regional News (apart from some of the non-ITV PLC regions) is not 16:9 is because ITV News from ITN is still 4:3 (though ARCed to 14P16 on digital)
I think this is a budget thing - moving to 16:9 production has a cost - especially when it comes to editing and lines intake.
Remember its not only studio cameras that need to be 16:9 but also all the various cameras used for reports. There's no point having a 16:9 programme if all the reports are going to be in 4:3!
That's not stopped the BBC over the last 6 years....
(even longer if you consider News 24 and BBC World).