Sky News wins RTS News Channel of Year

So what does News 24 have to do to steal Sky's crown, or do we have to wait until Sky's new studios & graphics before we can say this?

Personally I think News 24's graphics, studio and presenters are far better than Sky. The thing which lets them down hugely - and this is quite important on a news channel - is the way they handle breaking news and the way they don't do new, innovative, exciting stuff.

News 24 is great presentation wise, just the content that lets them down - and for the world's biggest newsgatherer, this is inexcusable.

To be honest I think N24's presentation is very poor, there are mistakes all over the place. Numerous times over the past few weeks the TOTH sequence has gone 2 pot, from the sequence just not running to the sound running with no visual etc. This is inexcusable from a company such as the BBC.

Sky's presentation is looking a bit stale at the moment, but this doesn't matter as they will be getting a complete overhaul in a few months. They are doing minor things to keep things fresh, like playing with presenter positions, camera angles etc. Sky are a lot more innovative with their presentation, N24's is just, well....BBC!

The main thing that lets Sky down at the mo is that it is still broadcast in 4:3, I can't stand my lovely 16:9 TV with black bars down the side! However this should b solved when they revamp as I'm guessing they'll go widescreen.

I imagine that we will be seeing Sky as News Channel of the Year for some time to come. The problem with N24 is that it is still far 2 dull!

I think you answered your own question in the last paragraph. I think the award is based more on content than looks.

On the Sky News Green Room, it says they are moving to "purpose built studios" shortly. Rehearsals start this month, so could there be a relaunch at the end of March, or are they still going for May or June?

I think you'll find it's August...

Has anyone seen the trail Sky are now running, crowing about their 4th News Channel of the Year award.
I know they must be pleased... but likening themselves to US Presidents and Olympic greats seems to be stretching things somewhat.

I've also noted a real deterioration in their 'Breaking News' flashes recently ... When the text first appears on screen, it is often meaningless drivel - or assumes a huge knowledge in all current stories, rather than making a brief statement of fact.

They always get improved within a minute or two, which suggests a very inexperienced person writes the initial text - but a better journalist than has to tell them how to rewrite it.

Can anyone tell me who in a TV news channel set-up writes the onscreen newsflashes? Is it graphics / a newsroom journalist / someone in the gallery ???

Is it not the case that in the rush to be first to break the news the initial text is taken more or less straight from whatever's on the Reuters or PA wires.

The wording on the straps is often identical on all three news channels if they're all reporting something from the same wire service.

Obviously the text is then refined to make more sense for public consumption.

I've noticed that News 24 are starting to do their Breaking News 'flashes' outside the normal presenter set up a bit more. The other day the sting exploded and the Breaking News strap came up during the weather. More of this please - including during reports.

That may be... but when a flash just says something like:
"Man freed over McCartney murder"
it doesn't mean anything to a viewer...

It could be Paul McCartney, Heather Mills McCartney etc etc....

Why not say: Man freed over Belfast IRA killing which instantly puts the story into a context everyone understands.

Ah, but WHICH Belfast IRA killing - aren't there IRA (and loyalist) killings every week!!?

Actually, I've heard that they're aiming at an October relaunch.

well actually, i (And many others on this forums) heard that it would be in-time for the election in may. a bit like what they did for the 2001 election with the white (i miss you so much!)titles! (loved the music!)

Why do people do this?

We don't know.

They don't know.

Don't even bother.

Jesus.

The graphics will get changed over in 4 weeks time when the election is declared, that is the safest bet you have, and probably the only imminent change.

Can't we just leave it at that?