Don't think this has been mentioned before (and don't shoot me if it has, there's a lot of bitterness in this thread) www.skypublicity.co.uk has had a rather nice overhaul.
Nice effort.
Yes a great accessible website that - clear and concise!
I knew that in media circles Chris Tarrant was well respected but this is going a bit too far:-
"What's the first media you turn to in the mornings?
Sky News - their coverage is superb.
Christ Tarrant, My Life in Media, The Independent, 22 November 2004"
"Live from the Sky newsroom, news anchor Kirsty Young will continue to present Five's flagship bulletins at 17.30 and 19.00 from Monday to Wednesday, but from a new purpose-built, state-of-the-art studio in Osterley, West London which will be unveiled for the first Five News report in the New Year."
"The link-up with Sky gives Five News access tomore resources than it has ever had before. The bulletins will be read from a brand-new multi-million pound purpose-built newsroom at Sky's headquarters, with a new set – designed by America's top set designers – new music, and new graphics."
five news:
interview with five news editor mark calvert
what is different about the new-look five news?
"The big difference is resources: we'll have more than ever before. We've got a brand-new purpose-built newsroom, and total access to Sky's pictures, materials, and live trucks here and overseas."
what will be the differences on-screen?
"We can cherry-pick the best of Sky's interviews and features, going live when we want, freeing upour own people to do those distinctive things that will set us apart from BBC and ITV. We're looking to do the big stories in our own original way, and also chase stories that others aren't. We want to set the agenda: a month ahead of launch, we've already got a number of exclusive stories up our sleeve."
what makes five news stand out from the rest?
"One of the things people love about us is our accessibility and friendly, relaxed style. We're determined to keep this, and Kirsty is its ultimate embodiment, while having the greater reach and depth that access to Sky's resources will give us.It's a tasty combination!"
have you been working round the clock toprepare for the launch?
"Yes, a lot of people have been working very hard to make it happen. We have built a news centre that will house both Sky News and Five News, and that's a huge project. I'm amazed at how well things are going. I've just been rehearsing our updates, and it feels good already – and we've still got another month of fine-tuning. We're very much on track."
is there a new look for the studio?
"We've created a brand-new studio and set.There's new music, titles, and on-screen graphics.We commissioned America's top set designers,who work with all America's top news networks,and this is their first British commission."
where's the new studio located?
"In Osterley, West London, at Sky's headquarters."
are you happy with the additions to five's newsreading team?
"I'm delighted. The on-screen team is fantastic. the best of the current team with some familiar faces: some of the best Sky correspondents, such as Stuart Ramsay, who has returned after over ten years with Sky's foreign bureau to be our chief foreign correspondent, plus people from BBC and ITV who have all given up very good jobs because they believe in what we're doing."
will the newscasters be able to have much editorial input?
"Absolutely. All our presenters are part of the production team: they're not just there to read off a sheet, they're here because they're fizzing with ideas. It needs to be their voice communicating with the viewers."
so what makes the new-look five news special?
"We're here to do the news that matters. The keyword is accessibility: what real people areinterested in, not what the residents of the Westminster media village feel are important. Every morning, in our conference, we ask: what are people talking about? This roots us in the realworld. We can offer an attractive alternative."
how do you feel about five news' new launch with sky news?
"I think it can only be a great thing. The resources at Sky are fantastic, and I think that Sky are equally excited and committed to producing something really worth watching. I think we'll be giving our competitors a real run for their money in terms of the coverage we'll have. We have increased capabilities in outside broadcasts and in graphics,and I think you are really going to see the difference on screen. Sky are very good at running 24 hour rolling news, but this will be their first foray into terrestrial TV bulletins. Our half-hour shows will offer a different challenge. I think the skills they'll bring to us will ensure a great marriage."
will the new set be a surprise for viewers?
"The last few months has been spent in the studio getting ourselves acquainted with the new set. It’s going to look entirely different – new set, new graphics. When people tune in for the new year they'll see something very different at half past five."
what stories have you been most proud ofcovering so far?
"Diana's death was a very big deal. This year I think the Blunkett story has been extraordinary, as it reminds us all that politicians are real people with real lives. It was a perfect fusion of the public and the private, and was a story that really captured people's thoughts."
you've been described as being synonymous with five news. are you proud of being the face of the channel's news service?
"Absolutely. I feel really strongly about the channel and the news service. We have always punched above our weight, and you only have to turn on any channel to see the influence we've had on the news. I think those little seeds of change we've sown over the last seven years can be seen everywhere. As technology increases, we have to remember that news is just stories about people. You can have the fanciest studio in the world and the cleverest technical people in the business, but in the end you still have to tell stories in a vivid and colourful way. That is our goal for the New Year."
how do you feel about joining forces with five?
"I'm really looking forward to it, it's fantastic. We'veb een rehearsing for the last few weeks and the new studios are beautiful, including great offices for the huge team of people who are working on the programme. I'm still on Sky News as well as working for Five, so it's going to be fantastic to be involved in both. I'll be doing Sky News Today, which goes out from 10.00 to 1.00 four days a week then doing Five's evening slot two evenings a week, fronting the programme."
how would you describe your individual style?
"I think it's really something that I've learned from working on Sky News, which is pretty informal and relaxed, I hope. The whole ethos of Sky News presenting is that there's a friendly team of faces that you're familiar with, we watch the news with each other if you like: we take people through the events as they unfold, hopefully providing accurate commentary and good analysis when stories start to break. That's something that I'll take with me to Five. It's something that Five News has always had: it's always been relaxed and friendly, but withoutc ompromising its authority, which is what viewers want when they're watching the news at the end of their working day."
with all of your experience in news [including covering stories such as the beslan massacre and the soham trial], what have been your mostmemorable experiences in the field?
"The most recent thing is that I've just got backfrom the US, covering the election. To be in America at such an extraordinary time, and for such a crucial election with the contest so closely fought, was a real privilege. We had a great camera position overlooking the White House and got to meet some extraordinary people. As a news presenter you can easily work in a bubble where you're not as connected with the story as you'd like to be: actually being out on location, which I love doing, brings you closer to the story."
what is the hardest part of your job?
"Trying to be across all the stories that are going:you have certain periods of the year that are traditionally quieter, but over the past 12 months we've had the Hutton Inquiry; the US Election, endless big political stories.The thing that keeps you on your toes is that you can't afford to miss a trick. You don't ever really switch off. It helps ify ou're a bit addicted to it, as I am: I love it."
which was your most difficult interview?
"When I worked on 'Newsround,' years ago, we made some films in Bosnia at the end of the war and interviewed a lot of children about their experiences [Julie won an Emmy for these]. We had to do it through a translator, which was difficult anyway, but they had the most horrific stories. Trying to communicate sympathy via a translator, it was hard to connect in the way that you would want to. On the other side, I interviewed Hillary Clinton just over a year ago, and she was an amazing woman. You see these people and you really think you know them, because you've seen them go through some pretty personal stuff, and you're never quite sure where that's going to leave you. She was charming and very impressive: an extraordinary person to interview."
what are you looking forward to most aboutyour new role at five?
"Being part of a completely new venture. It's a new venture for Sky, because it's the first time they've had a contract to provide all the bulletins for a terrestrial broadcaster. I think it will be great because despite all the things that Sky does best, it's still a satellite channel. We're going to be able to bring Sky's huge resources and experience to Five, which has a great reputation: it's such a distinctive product which broke the mould when it first came on air. Mixing the reputation that it's already got, with what Sky News does, will be amazing. It's a great team of people from all parts broadcasting journalism – former BBC people, ITV, Five, Sky News. There's a great energy."
Does this mean there'll be another new logo for Sky News or not?
You say that as if they change logos every day lol
The got their current logo in 2001, and I dont think they will be changing it majorly. We may get tweaked colours, or the same logo used in a different way.
