As I understand it Channel can hear Meridian Presentation open talkback all the time, and are able to reply should they need to. (Meridian pres directors have to make sure they don't say anything they shouldn't - as ears in Jersey could be listening at any time!)
In some ways it is quite similar to the relationship that the BBC National presentation areas have with the BBCs London Network control areas, with the Nations listening to London for the junctions they need to opt out for.
Yes - I Channel, although small scale, does seem to do a very professional job, given their limited facilities.
Their news graphics are particularly fresh - they have nice animating sports results, and Channel Report is by no means an embarassing programme.
It is nice that they do a programme like Puffins Pla(i)ce - it is a
pity other, less independent, ITV1 regions don't do the same - maybe they're too busy making money to think about what they can do locally for viewers (though Anglia do have Birthday Club!)
Maybe I'm getting cynical in my old age...
(And I have to agree that, even with ex-ITN and ex-GMTV presenter Fiona Armstrong, Border Lookaround is a bit on the dodgy side...)
We ought to start a 'Bring Back Gus Honeybun' thread.
For those FAR younger than me, he was a bunny rabbit, and Puffin's equivalent at Westward, and then TSW; but was axed (and presumably put in a stew) by Westcountry when they took over.
I don't think it's really fair saying Meridian make a mess of things. I'm sure their primary concern is providing a decent service for the south of England, not worrying about their feed to the Channel Islands. It must be a nightmare for Channel to keep away from the Meridian stuff, but surely they understand it's not Meridian's (or anyone else's) fault.
No no, you misunderstand, all I was saying was if there was to be an almighty cock-up at Meridian's end (I'm sure it must happen occasionally, like a whole video server fails to respond the way it should throwing Southampton into a panic) it must then be very difficult for Channel to try to fit their stuff into the confusion, and hence Channel's output would then end up looking worse than Meridian's at that time!!!
And yes, Channel's defiant small-station attitude is to be commended. I always thought the output of small stations was more interesting and fun than the larger, more faceless companies (though maybe I was just spoilt by YTV's austere, ooooh-so-rigid presentation!), and it is a shame that a lot of them have lost their charm. I think it is about time companies like Westcountry, Grampian and Tyne Tees took stock of who they are as regional companies and went back to basics!!
CR
The Crowdman
steve posted:
As I don't wanna miss out, how do I receive Channel on satellite ?
I only have Sky Digital, no mega-technical all singin & dancin computerised whatsit.
Can I therefore receive it ? If so what number do I twiddle ?
Press 'services', select 'system setup' then 'add channels', enter:
10.906
V
22.0
5/6
select 'find channels'
highlight 'ITV Channel Is'
press yellow
highlight + press yellow on any other regions you want
when all you want are ticked press select to store
to view: press 'services' and option 6.
(Edited by The Crowdman at 12:51 pm on Nov. 23, 2001)
CR
The Crowdman
Also, I have to agree with the people who said CTV taking local ads was good. It's the most truly local ads I've seen in years! And Channel Reports is OK presentation-wise, even if the yellow set is quite reminicent of the old (pre-hockey rink) Meridian News set...
DJ
djt0311
Perhaps Channel bought the old Meridian News set to save the odd couple of quid !!.
Dave - Jersey
Wondering now ITV2 is available in the Islands if Channel will change to ITV 1 Channel Islands and start advertising programmes on ITV2.
More than likely. I just hope they don't fall in line with other ITV stations and adopt the next batch of (yawn) generic idents......
DJ
djt0311
Jason
Channel do use the generic ITV idents but I must say very rarely. At 09.25 very morning you will see the ITV idents and then sometimes in the evening. I must say that since they starting broadcasting on satellite we have had less ITV generic and even the full length Channel ident.
I was also talking to friend who works at Channel and he said they are changing the way they receive the network feed at the mo it is through the air and they are changing to fibre optic under sea cables and it sounds like they may get a fresh feed from London instead of using the Meridian feed.
Yes, I have seen it once or twice, but even then with Channel's own jingle and the logo is animated, and the Channel name is *huge* in comparison with the itv so it still looks different.
I wonder if Channel are showing their own ident rather than the generic one, because of the itv2 thing or if it's just to attract the geeks like me to watch it (lol)...
DJ
djt0311
Strange you should mention it Jason. Had a chat with someone at Channel this afternoon and they didn't even ITV2 was live.
Channel said that ITV2 is a totally different company and as far as they are concerned it has no bearing on Channel ITV and nothing is likely to change.
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