News at Ten - Weeknights on ITV1

Good question Matrix, IMO he is the strongest of the presenters at ITV News. I feel he is more authorative and would do well at the helm of what is bound to be the channel's flagship bulletin.

While Austin is a fantastic journalist and reporter...he seems to 'me' as being awkward as a news presenter.

I agree. Of the current presenters, Alastair would definitely be the best for NAT. Bringing Trevor back is obviously going to add some weight to the programme, but that's only in the value of his name, not his skill. Alastair was overlooked in 1992 when Trevor pipped him to the post so I definitely think he should get his turn now.

Or, here's a crazy idea: would it have been better for ITV to poach John Suchet from Five to launch NAT? If they were looking to bring back a big name presenter, Suchet has far more talent than Trevor. He, too, was overlooked for the NAT role in favour of Trevor, which always saddened me.

John Suchet made some pretty disparaging comments about ITV News when he joined Five. They'd be mad to 'poach' him back (especially as he'll be eased out when Kaplinsky arrives anyway).

While I agree that John Suchet was and still is far better than Trevor McDonald - I doubt Suchet would come back. IMO there is nothing special about Trevor McDonald and he is over rated.

ITV news chiefs then and now rate McDonald - and he is an undoubted a ratings weapon...but he has had his time. Why not retire with dignity and let someone else get the 'generous' pay packet for a change.

The question will be whether people prefer News at Ten with him and Julie or suddenly find the BBC's offerings with Huw a turn off - I doubt the latter is true. However, if there is a massive dip in BBC's ratings we may even see Fiona and Huw co present the Ten o'Clock News. If Huw and Fiona do indeed co present - I predict and hope that would whip ITV News at Ten's arse big time.

I honestly cannot see Trevor's return resulting in more people (in general) being turned on by watching the news. I also cannot see the signing of Julie Etchingham (although a good journalist and interviewer) will make a huge impact on ITV's fortunes. Do they not rate the other female journalists at Gray's Inn Road - obviously not!!

The resources at ITV News are still going to be the same and the image of ITV rather than the credible ITN will still be there.

Apart from giving us a bulletin at a different time with different presenters there aint much new. I will be interested in seeing if the new News at Ten will be on air at 10pm and if this will be a regular occurence. I also wonder how it will be unique and groundbreaking.

I think it is all being overhyped by many and I fear we all may be left with no wind in our sails come the relaunch.

Oh I didn't realise that - do you have a link to those comments?

If I was John Suchet - I would have no loyalty to ITV News and think that he was constantly overlooked at ITV News. I like seeing him on Five News and I think he seems happier there. He did say something about feeling that ITV News was heading south since the new branding started.

I hope he remains on our screens for a long time to come.

News at Ten's relaunch will work if they plough some money into properly resourcing the programme.

Journalists. Branding. Consistency - it all costs money.

News at Ten suffered badly when it became known, for obvious reasons, as the "News at When". The channel's news output also suffered badly when the ITN brand disappeared and the generic and foolish ITV News brand was launched. Whether anyone will ever admit it or not, ITV brand name is associated with Ant n Dec, Cilla, Corrie, and all those other light entertainment names.

The ITN brand was much revered and came across as authoratitave. When those three letters (in their original gold and blue version) appeared on the screen, punctuated by "real" bongs, we all sat up and took notice of Burnet, Gall, Bosanquet and Parkin. It was like the headmaster walking into the assembly hall. Hush would fall over the room, because everyone knew that he had something important to say.

Today - itv news?? With all due respect, but it's like the school dinner lady walking into the assembly hall. No-one really takes notice. The bongs are kinda smothered by the same sort of techno sounds that announce the arrival of Ant n Dec n Cilla n Parky n Ogrady n celebrity..........

We find the news "presenters" stood on illuminated walkways which are akin to the Starship Enterprise. The bulletins are punctuated with drumbeats and whooshes and all sorts of (dumbing down) trickery. And at the end of it, most of the viewers will turn to their spouses and say "that was a nice trouser suit Mary was wearing tonight. I never realised that guy Mark was so tall........wonder where he gets his ties from........"'

BRING BACK THE HEADMASTER! Any day!

Bring back the ITN Brand. Bring back the News at Ten brand. Allow the reporters to sign-off using the News at Ten brand. Give the headmaster and the headmistress chairs to sit on.

And make sure the assembly always starts on the dot. That way, we will all sit up and pay attention again.

From Media Monkey:

I notice now most reports refer to News at Ten returning "at some point next year", rather than in the New Year as initial reports suggested.

ITV News room - wholesale refurbishment? Splendid

But what does it mean?

it means the offices are being refurbished.

Oh, not so much fun then.