News at Ten - Weeknights on ITV1

Moira Stuart would've been a perfect presenter for the programme IMHO.

Though talking of a 'pecking order' is rather crass I think Julie will be coming in at 6th or 7th which, given that it's ITV 1 rather than Sky News, I still believe to be a significant step up for her.

I wonder where people think Sir Trevor sits within the ITV News organisation, (most people appear to have him already halfway out of the door!).

Like Asa has already mentioned, it should use an exclusive studio like the black one that used to be in use. To be honest, I think it would have made more sense (and been cheaper) to have Lucy Meacock doing the News at Ten from Granada Manchester. To be honest, she has been on ITV News so much lately and with all the rumours circulating about a return of the News at Ten, I thought they were testing her for it.

I do find it pointless bringing it back, but bringing it back with Trevor makes sense as he *is* the News at Ten but he will probably be slowly phased out like others have said and someone else (if anyone) will be brought in as a replacement.

I don't see the point in hiring yet another female host. They already have 3- Katie, Mary and Nina. Couldn't they put them on in that order throughout the day?

Well they won't of course - but considering it is CSO they should use it to their advantage to distinguish News at Ten at least. I think a skyline backdrop would suit the bulletin perfectly.


As for Julie being "6th or 7th" - I don't think ITV would be opting for someone that low down the pecking order to relaunch their flagship bulletin.

I don't think they are, hence Trevor McDonald.

The Lunchtime and Evening News bulletins are led by either Katie or Alastair and Mary or Mark respectively (they almost appear to alternate) but, from the Guardian article, Sir Trevor is clearly portrayed as the main presenter for the News at Ten:

"Sir Trevor, who retired as ITV's highest profile newsreader in December 2005 after 32 years with the broadcaster's news supplier, ITN, is said to have been lured back to be the main host of the resurrected News at Ten bulletin.

And ITV is understood to have hired Etchingham from Sky News to play a co-presenting role alongside Sir Trevor."

Obviously this involves reading quite a lot into the article and depends on one's understanding of a 'co-presenting role' (which I agree sounds like more than just reading the sport) so we'll probably have to wait for an official press release before we really know what form the bulletin will take.

Here's what wikipedia has to say on the subject...

"The programme will return in 2008 with Sir Trevor MacDonald and Julie Etchersketch. It is believed that ITV may be considering moving the programme to the former London Tonight studio on the South Bank to add gravitas to the programme."

"ITV have not yet confirmed plans for this but a poster on one email newsletter [3] has suggested that pilots for the new format News at Ten were carried out in the former London Tonight studio on the south bank of the Thames in July and apparently this studio is being considered for the programme."

Needless to say, taking this with a large pinch of salt, given its source (and...Etchersketch!)...But it's an interesting idea - that studio could work brilliantly if, hypothetically, they were to use it. It's doubtful that they would move from ITN HQ, though, isn't it? After all, they opted to move London Tonight out of the London Studios to ITN, so it would be rather odd for them to do the opposite for a national bulletin...wouldn't it?

Though this whole thing is rather out of the blue, so I suppose, anything could be possible...

The Daily Mail are reporting it, but add nothing new to the story really.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=489112&in_page_id=1770

Why do they and Media Guardian refer to Mark Austin "moving" to the 6.30pm show ? He's already there !

I think if they modified the titles to a darker tone, and if the music was more dramatic, it would work fine. However, I dont think Trevor suits the whole 'Theatre of News', I think ITV News needs to go back to basics, a set like Channel 4 News would be great, right on the edge of the Atrium. I think in recent months the current set has being looking very stale. A set like Al Jazeera London would be good, its not very big and still houses a interview area, a main desk, and a newswall which is also used for standing up presentation.

They don't have a clue. They also seem confused about where the 'News at When' term came from

Huh. One of you lovelies has stolen my nickanme - I call her Julie 'Etchysketchy' after a comment she made about the tablet pcs and those Etcher-Sketcher things, seems somebodies stolen it!

I'm in two minds about this one, I really am.

Firstly may i just draw everybody's attention to an article on DS about the recent sky relaunch. It branded Emma and Colin as having a co-presenting role as well - and the less said about that diabolical waste of talent the better.

On the other hand - Julie is damn fine (as a newsreader), she has extraordinary gravitas and journalistic ability - someone at itv has recognised this and she is undoubtedly being groomed for higher things.

To say she's been sidelined at sky is crap for **** sake. **** hell, she's got her own daily four hour slot with her name in the sodding epg, for a channel that is the most watched news channel in Europe by a pretty decent margin. Heck, she's up there with the likes of Kay Burley (whatever you say she is a satellite news supremo) and JT - a man of the same stable as Sir Trev himself. I don't think I'd give that up lightly.

Get stuffed Natasha 'who do you think you are' Kaplinksy, my Etchysketchy's finally coming of age. I'm chuffed.

BTW The Sun is leading with it tomurrow.

I love reading your posts SN2005!! You are so direct without being an arse it is great seeing your thoughts.

I also wonder if Sky may up its game and consider some form of revamp of graphics etc with this latest development in TV News land?

2008 will be an interesting year for channel 3 viewers in Scotland with this 5.30 pan Scotland news programme as well.

Link to image of Sun front page?