West Television Thread

Well, they need to do something. I hear they're taking quite a beating in the ratings.

I was aware of the fact, but chose to ignore it.

Never has the old phrase "never mind the quality, feel the width" been more true.

Given that all ITVplc-owned regions are firmly "ITV1" now, and - as has been discussed ad nauseum on TV Forum countless times before *yawn* - it is phenomenally unlikely that anything even remotely approaching "a wholesale return to on-screen regional names" will ever happen (frankly, there's more chance of a UFO with Elvis Presley on board landing on the Loch Ness monster's head during a snowstorm in August)... how would a return to the "HTV" name possibly be implemented?

The only visual mentions of "ITV [Regional Suffix Word]" tend to be off-air (the signage on the studio buildings, the company headed paper, etc) nowadays. Even the production caption at the end of regional programmes just says "A Production for ITV(1)". And there's perhaps some occasional verbal mentions of "ITV [Regional Suffix Word]" within the regional news programmes.

So, in real terms, when and where would a re-implemented "HTV West" name actually get mentioned on-air, hmm? - Apart from being re-introduced onto the closing production caption, pretty much nowhere is the answer! Therefore it would be utterly pointless and futile, as its tiny re-introduction would not be noticed by "average viewers".

Reintroducing the "HTV" name would be a rather more worthwhile if applied to the title of the news programme, but again I really can't imagine that happening as it flies so much in the face of the single "ITV1". We already had the confusing situation of "HTV News" on "ITV1" (and being a "Carlton" production!) from 2002 - 2004, and I don't think a return to anything similarly bizarre would be a rational move.

The appalling Alex Lovell presenting live from Gloucester. Dear, oh dear.

No gravitas, missing the mood completely...and more concerned about getting wet herself than all the poor souls really suffering. She is so far up her own ar..!

Sack her now!

Yes - living in the city I thought that Points West was excellent this lunchtime....with the exception of the lightweight Ms Lovell. Amanda Parr would have been much better at striking the right balance.

Don't hold back bc -tell us what you really feel.

News 24 have sent Kate Silverton there and PW have chosen game show girl Alex for their on the spot reporter, not a good choice in my opinion.

It's bad enough for these flooded townsfolk without those lightweights wandering about giving their views.

With the phone number on screen in the corner for the whole lunch programme, and brainteaser's alex lovel presenting in a joviel game-show tone it reminded me a little of Brainteaser...half expected a member of staff to appear pretending to be a real person 'hit by the flood' whilst alex knows nothing about it, of course.

The tone was wrong. People who's life is turned upside down by the floods, powercuts and mains water running out DO NOT want teh story to be reported as if its all jolly good fun.

Short of a quick quiz of 'what causes flooding - is it A)Lorraine Kelly B) Noahs ark C) Water call now on 0909889999 calls cost 75p, we'll fake a winner later so theres no real chance of winning but call now!' It could not have been more off-key.

Points West (all from Gloucester) much better on Mondy evening - Lovell "helped" by Will through the programme. An impressive programme I thought. ITV West's show good too, but the Beeb's a bit slicker/better produced.

I was hoping her Mic would blow a fuse in all that water.... Talking of which I love Mr Agwin's silent Weather forecast! Is this the first time PW has been entirely on location?

I actually caught a little of Points West last night. I had to go to Midlands Today in the end to find something approaching professionalism.

If you reckon that statement's true, countyboy, then ITV's programme can only have been half an hour of black screen for it to be worse.

Why couldn't Points West have got hold of the Environment Agency man by the throat and pressed him on why the response was so slow? What is it about Bristol journos which makes them allergic to asking difficult questions?

I think that it's a matter of where you relate to/culture/social geography etc. I am Gloucester born and bred. I naturally do not see myself as being in the Midlands, but in the West. I probably am prepared to overlook a lack of sharp questioning, preferring to watch a regional service I relate to. (But I do wish they couild do something about Alex Lovell...)

Why has Points West started using the national news intro tune instead of its own unique version.