Sky News

I take exception to Sky's handling of a "reported" air crash in Kenya this morning.

It was announced and then strapped across the screen as "Breaking News".

When (thankfully) it was later discovered that the incident was in fact an emergency practice drill, Sky withdrew the story.

But, Eamonn Holmes' handling of the withdrawal was pathetic!! Absolutley disgusting and flippant, and totally incorrect for such a story/potential tragedy.

His announcement went something like: "Listen........you know that plane crash we told you about a while ago??? Well......there wasn't one!", he said, almost smirking. (Admittedly, he elaborated a little beyond this, but the tone used was unforgiveable, Sky. Totally out of order.)

Mr. Holmes and Sky - this is a serious matter you are dealing with and not something that is worthy of mild comedy whatsoever. Get a grip you people - couldn't the withdrawal of the story have been handled more sensitively? Hasn't Mr. Holmes been in TV News Presentation long enough to know how to handle such stories, especially when one is dealing with a global audience?

Very disappointed everyone.

That's what happens when you have a game show host anchoring on a serious news channel.

It's f***ing shocking. I can't believe what I just saw. What an insensitive and incompentent, overpaid, useless pr*t!!

If the man is only useful for delivering stories about Man United, let him go there and work for them. Total pr*t. He has no place on a (supposedly) serious and credible News Channel.

As I am typing this, I am watching the same story being handled by BBC World and Martine Dennis - night and day, compared to Holmes. Handled sensitively, with appropriate explanation and no hint of comedy whatsoever. Also, sufficient background data to justify why they ran with the story in the first place.

I feared something like this would happen when I heard he was joining Sky News. Probably explains why Lorna breaks most of the news - not sure how he ended up doing it today though.

Lorna (or any other presenter working with Holmes) : We're getting uncomfirmed reports that there may be a forthcoming announcement from Buckingham Palace ... more on that as soon as we get it.

5 minutes later ...

Holmes : Errm you know that breaking news you were waking up to a few minutes ago about errmm Buckingham Palace well errrm it turns out the Queen isn't dead haha errrm so we don't have to change into the black suits haha errrm errrrm now, Jackie, big night for footie last night ....

You mean she doesn't have a small beard and a funny hat, and doesn't precede every sentence with 'oy'?

I really despair of this place sometimes.

I haven't seen the clip but I've Eamonn tends to break news when Lorna isn't around. e.g. during sport or when he's up on the balcony and shes down at the table preparing from another item.

I've seen her run up to the balcony a couple of times but I don;t know whether this was because of breaking news or otherwise.

While I'm here too, been watching SNT and I'm sorry to say but without Ginny the whole operation seems much smoother, and on top of all of that they seem to be returning to their former selves which is the sky news that i have always loved and always watched which reminds me does anybody remember the old 'Newsline', before it was re-named to sportsline? I vaguely remember the titles but what I want to know is what was the format like, and who would present it. I seem to remember the Live At Five team providing it, but am not sure.

Newsline and Sportsline are totally different. One was not renamed as the other.

Newsline was years ago, and was a half hour (I think) current affairs type report at one point hosted by John Stapleton.
A bit like the more low brow 'The Reporters' back half hour filler which was on a few years later.
http://www.btinternet.com/~rob.frowen/presenters_s/johnstapletonsky89.jpg

Yes, it ran from 6:30pm every weekday for 1/2 hr, i.e. the same slot as sportsline now occupys...ring any bells? I know they did not come straight after each other but can't you see where the inspiration comes from?

Do you actually know when it ended, the latest promo I've seen is for 1992/1993, when it was advertised under the banner of live at 5, thus being why i thought it was produced by the same people.

Finally, some sense. If they're going to plaster that crap strap over the screen, the least that they can do is provide accurate information. It appeared yesterday afternoon I believe, and a similar message is now also on the ticker.

Don't know why they aren't saying 'Digital Satellite' rather than 'Sky Satellite'.
Maybe it's because they think any mention of the word 'digital' will cause confusion even though 'Digital Satellite' is correct.

As for Newsline, no I don't recall when it finished. If you are interested in it for some reasom why not try emailing John Stapleton at GMTV. You could probably make an educated stab at his email address.

I don't think there was any connection or hereditary at all between the names Sportsline and Newsline. Just a coincidence.
I've always thought Sportsline is a lousy name anyway ...

Slightly harsh. Eammon started out as a journalist/reporter on Ulster Television news. Being on Sky News he is mearly going back to his roots.