Why does Mark Austin have to do two news bulletins? He's not even that good.
I find him quite 2D.
The only reason he is at ITN was because of the stupid tit for tat raids that BBC and ITN did in the 80's/90's. Martyn Lewis went to the BBC to do the One O'Clock News, then ITN get Julia Somerville, then Peter Sissons goes then Mark Austin. All Mark Austin did on the BBC was the blasted sport.
He is overrated I hate the way he stresses some words when he reads the news, the emphasis is in the wrong place. He is rubbish!
News At Ten vastly improved since it re-started. Note to ITV: Don't axe it, your 10 o'clock normal programming failed. Having something credible on at 10 is the wise option.
Its newscasters, Julie Etchingham and Trevor McDonald, are a better team than at the start of the year. Julie - I was unsure of her, when she debuted, whether she could carry off the bulletin. I was wrong. Still, Moira Stuart would have made a nice newscasting team with Trevor. Dumped by the BBC, ITN could have stuck two fingers up to the BBC, and ITV could have the distinction of allowing, I believe to be, the first all-black newscasting team.
Lots of people slag off Trevor - I like him. It was, and still is, odd to see him present with a co-host. But, before he goes, I would like to see how Trev faces up to a male co-host. ITN, it's now up to you!
Concerning the And Finally's... it would be great if it was, say, a whole week of daft stories - such as these made-up stories: Dog Receives Pension. Granny Bikini Contest. Horse Has Own TV Show. I Am Married To A Street Lamp. etcetra.
And Finally... [if you get my drift] does anyone know when Trevor retires? And, will he receive a Goodbye News Report from Julie?
Apparently Trevor will leave later this month. I don't know whether there'll be any fanfare.. I should think something will happen though, a special report on News at Ten, like you say. IIRC when he 'retired' in 2005 both the BBC and ITV ran special reports, and of course for his last bulletin they played the old 1992-99 NaT closing theme over the end titles. It will be a bit weird when he does go (assuming that the 'second retirement' is the last!) as he will be forever associated with this programme, but I'm hoping Mark will prove to be a good enough replacement. I would like Alastair to present sometime though...
I agree that the bulletin is somewhat left unthought about and its a shame that it'll never get big ratings (I guess people have just become accustomed to turning to BBC One at 10pm as ITN have been out of that slot for years - and why would people bother switching to ITV when they're already content with what they've grown used to?)... just wondering to those who don't normally watch News at Ten, what would you change about it? The whole thing, or just one or two bits here and there?
just wondering to those who don't normally watch News at Ten, what would you change about it? The whole thing, or just one or two bits here and there?
I would only change one thing - replace Mark Austin with Alastair Stewart. I know it may sound like labouring the point, but it's how I (and many others who have posted above) see it.
Why is there all this pessimistic talk of how News At Ten can never have better/similar ratings to the BBC?
Possibly because it's been back nearly a year and struggles to get a third of the audience!
I think if News at Ten does make any inroads it'll be more down to changes at the BBC than changes at ITV - and I can't see Huw leaving anytime soon.
cylon6 posted:
The only reason he is at ITN was because of the stupid tit for tat raids that BBC and ITN did in the 80's/90's. Martyn Lewis went to the BBC to do the One O'Clock News, then ITN get Julia Somerville, then Peter Sissons goes then Mark Austin. All Mark Austin did on the BBC was the blasted sport.
He is overrated I hate the way he stresses some words when he reads the news, the emphasis is in the wrong place. He is rubbish!
Clutching at straws there - Mark Austin didn't really make his mark as a newsreader until at least a decade after all the big switches.
What I want to know is why did the BBC move their news to 10? The 9 O'Clock News was fantastic. The very rare times I watch the BBC "News At 10" '[it's horrible to write. ITN has news at 10, BBC at 9. ITN should have trademarked the name News At Ten!]
Is it because the BBC was/is trying to cash in on the fame of a 10 o'clock news bulletin. It annoys me!!
Anyway, that's enough of me ranting.
