I have stopped watching Sky News since they started this "The Recession" grungey presentation, and will continue not watching them untill the recession is over. Baring any HD big event coverage or other coverage where sky news are above the rest.
I don't mind the recession graphics. I can't believe you wont watch the channel purely for that reason?
I must admit I am preferring Sky News these days to any other news provider. I met up with Steve Dixon for lunch last week, and what a top guy he is too.
Its not because of the graphics per se, but because of the way they have chosen to focus on the recession's misery, which is too much for me to take.
I would rather have factual, non emotional coverage of the financial climate, but as the recession seems to be correcting itself, maybe Sky News will come to some sense of normallity, however their sensationalism will no doubt continue, which for big live coverage is great, but for politics (my personal preference for news) not soo good.
Must say the Afternoon Live set up really isn't working for me at the moment,it just looks lifeless and the newswall looks,and I never thought I would say this,dated. Perhaps it just the color scheme and funny camera shots but it just looks strange.
And the programme,like everything on Sky News these days,lacks consistency with almost a different set up and a different time for the sport etc. every day. Undoubtedly the biggest problem is the lack of energy,something that used to be such a strong point for Sky News.
I don't like the cheap "I saw it first on the Sky News" type promos. The latest Swine flu one with parent Jo Harding is a bit pants.
Remember the Gordon Brown talks to Sky News first? I found that a bit uncomfortable in terms of impartiality. It almost glorified Brown, who cares who he talks to first. Brown's picture is used on their website page ad too, I've noticed it's permanently in the background during the press review at 11.30. Does anyone else think that's a bit odd?
If I could just add to the above. Its time they either have Jeremy on 45 weeks of the year or get a new live at 5 presenter. He seems to be there 3 out of every 5 weeks and the constant change as said above lacks consistency.
Watching Sky News this evening and I wonder should they just focus on political news coverage,they have got a great team and do it remarkably well. Im not suggesting a partisan approach,just a focus on politics which would make them stand out from the crowd(Admittedly Sky's foreign affairs department is also superb).