Back in the 1970s, 1980s and even the 90s ITN and the BBC had different looks, music and sets for each news programme. Then in 1993 for the BBC and 1999 for ITN a uniform look come in to cover all news bulletins.
I never understood why this was the case, was it purely down to cutting cost and free-ing up studio spaces?
Probably down to the growing importance of brand identity in a multi-channel age. Don't forget that Sky was growing in popularity in the mid-90s and viewers now had the choice of Sky News and CNN for news content. Back in the 80s you only had the option of BBC or ITN so there was less need for a consistent brand across all output.
I have to say that I think it's a shame that everything ended up looking and sounding the same. It was nice when each bulletin had its own presentation. Gone are the days of News at Ten having an orchestral theme tune and the News at 5.45 using a synth-fest.
:-(
A former member
Even Sky has dipped its toe into have different branding and music, for certain shows even during the week.
The thing I really liked about the different studios and set is you know its: BBC six o'clock news or ITN news at ten, now it could be any old bulletin.
I still don't think either the BBC or ITV news pres is hard hitting enought, and feels rather lame. ( especial the BBC with the beeps) At least ITV has improved since the dreadful 2004 look.
It was somewhat gradual. The 90s look for the BBC may have had the same studio but they had slight variations for each bulletin, while of course ITV kept the News at Ten branding when it introduced a generic look around 1995 for other bulletins. Inititally too in 1999 there was a slight distinction in the opening of the Evening News compared to the other bulletins, and for no logical reason they kept the 1995 newsroom for the Morning News for year or two.
I do think though even with a generic look the early evening bulletins do feel different to the later editions. Ultimately the news comes above the branding, so if the quality is there is doesn't matter.
I suppose ITV News have brought back the variation but its very subtle, with the newsroom backdrop and the colour of the floor being darker as the day goes on. Its obviously not as noticeable than the ITN/BBC News old days...
The BBC News at Ten have a darker, blue lighting scheme in the newsroom backdrop compared to the other bulletins throughout the day. So there is variation but it is subtle, as mentioned above.
I suppose ITV News have brought back the variation but its very subtle, with the newsroom backdrop and the colour of the floor being darker as the day goes on.
Not really any different to the BBC 10 having blue newsroom lighting when the rest of the bulletins have red.
I suppose ITV News have brought back the variation but its very subtle, with the newsroom backdrop and the colour of the floor being darker as the day goes on.
Not really any different to the BBC 10 having blue newsroom lighting when the rest of the bulletins have red.
I suppose. But I would say its more noticable on ITV
I still don't think either the BBC or ITV news pres is hard hitting enought, and feels rather lame. ( especial the BBC with the beeps)
How is the BBC's and ITN's simple but authorative news presentation not hard hitting. The Graphics are simple and too to the point, the music is brilliant and instantly recognisable. I suppose they should all have ridiculously over the top graphics, over the top music score recorded on a 200 piece orchestra and massive sets which look like they have been adorned with BA Tail Fins. I would hate it if the BBC screwed up their news prestige by following Sky's 'if you can do it, do it' attitude which has ended with a cluttered set and ridiculous graphics. I've always been taught that with presentations and graphics, it should add not distract.
Yes it would be nice if different bulletins had different sets but it costs to much to have dozens of studios used for less than an hour a day, especially when it makes more sense to have an easily recognisable - single set for all coverage. Especially in an ever competitive domestic, and for the BBC global, market. The BBC look is instantly recognisable. Just because you can do it doesn't mean you should.
I would hate it if the BBC screwed up their news prestige by following Sky's 'if you can do it, do it' attitude which has ended with a cluttered set and ridiculous graphics. I've always been taught that with presentations and graphics, it should add not distract.
Well, many would say (myself included) the BBC's NBH and Salford sports news sets, are very cluttered
and distracting ? ITN's ITV and C4 sets have it about right IMHO.
I agree, Sky's set is something worthy of Armando Iannucci or Chris Morris !
C4 have it just right, they have a nice set design, nice view, right amount of frosting on the windows, then above all of that, a great VR version exists. We can see from BBC Studio A that they clearly don't have a good VR version of Studio C/E, ITV have designed a set that looks great in VR and looks realistic
but
wouldn't look good if it was totally real. Less said about C5, the better. Sky's set was great in '05, it declined but the changes for Sunrise and the videowall are bringing it back up.
