The EdExcel Review: Did Daybreak really break the day?
Daybreak Content
6/10
Daybreak could have tried harder this morning to show it was not GMTV. Although, there was more detail in the news bulletin, I felt that viewers deserved to understand there was more to the news than what happened in the UK, what happened to International News & Affairs. John Stapleton's Farepac Report was slightly One Showesque than Morning News Exclusive or Hard Hitting Journalism. I feel that Daybreak was upmarket this morning, but needs to go to the standard that people can actually associate it with proper morning news and not just news bulletins and dumb down news 'exclusives' that happened 4 years ago.
The Feel Factor: How does Daybreak perform?
8/10
Daybreak tried something different on breakfast television in having all its reporters at the top of each hour apart from the 8pm. I felt it should a lot of unity and was done purposely to make sure GMTV 'old timers' would get a plug in at the top of the hour to make sure the GMTV demographic did not leave to soon. I felt the updates on the reports were also quite informative - however short. The two lead anchors; Adrian and Christine did well on the first show and their chemistry really stood out this morning in order to retain a new fresh identity for the programme. However, the anchors need to ensure they engage with all members of the new team well; especially Tasmin, the news anchor as viewers are commonly used to seeing engagement between the two. Finally, the programme ended with every one the sofa for the final shot. I felt this was some what engaging - seeing the familiar faces of Daybreak smiling onto the distance (no matter how false it felt). This final shot was like a family reunited for the first time and at some unease, however, with time relaxation will take over.
Its your Daybreak Segments
6/10
It was hardly NBC Today Show's seamless and flawless segments, yet this morning Daybreak offered it British counterpart - proving that we still have much to learn from the Americans. Daybreakers - was an interesting offering; quirky story to be told at the end of the show as a 'And Finally' - I fell it was good; but really, viewers need to vote on the story, Daybreak really needs to realise some viewers don't have time. The 5-A-Day segment was excellent, felt Headlines was a bit overrated, whereas 5-A-Day is a refreshing look on the day's top stories. Although, maybe they should not introduce it as something your worker friends will envy......I very much doubt that
. Something Cool before the Kids Go to School was an interesting segment, that I did genuinely enjoy. I felt it was slightly lightweight at a good point of the programme and would interest a key demographic.
Presentation: Graphics, Titles, Transitions
7/10
Daybreak's Graphical Package was a warm change from GMTV outdated and at times lacklustre efforts. The title sequence shone this morning as very 'morning feel', however not an exact change from what we have seen before. The Graphics on the whole a simplistic in detail, yet do their job effectively. The clock performs the same job it did on GMTV yet manages to just remain fresh. The strap-lines were very nice and fitted in well with the whole package (personally, I liked the fade towards the end of the strap-line). The coming up reminders were also helpful, but I feel they should be reserved for news worthy content; not the Sports News with Dan in 10 minutes. The transition were not bad, however I did loath the big garnish (DAYBREAK: INSERT REGIONAL NEWS NAME HERE) transition between the news and the weather, felt it let down the whole package.
The Studio: A Welcomed Change, or a Daysinker?
7/10
I liked the new studio, a welcomed change from GMTV. The new sofa area with that stunning view is exactly what you want in the morning, however on the darkest of nights lighting will be key. The big clock is a nice feature to the studio too. I felt the sports, entertainment desk Dan Lobb was at during the show - could have been used a bit more, as maybe a base for Christine and Adrian as it sees all different areas of the studio. Tasmin's news desk also could have been used a bit more. We saw there was an plasma screen, but it had not use this morning - which seemed quite odd. The Weather/Multi-Purpose Area is nice too - weather was good from this area and I felt that this area will be used more in recent months.
Presenter Reviews: Who broke the day this morning?
Adrian & Christine - Brilliant, although could do with some auto cue reading lessons. Need to engage more with Tasmin.
Tasmin - Needs to relax and take a breath. No need to be too authorative during Daybreak - be calm and normal and read the news. Felt she was okay this morning, but needs to smile more during the bulletins. Needs to engage more with Adrian and Christine.
Dan - Brilliant - fitted in very well this morning.
Lucy - Mentioned the word 'Daybreak' too often for my liking - however was engaged and provided a comprehensive and detailed Weather bulletin.
Steve - Not bad, interesting relaxed style - not as funny as Richard Arnold however.
Kate - Seemed slightly smug this morning, and out of here depth talking about the charts.
Sue - Added necessary class to the programme this morning
Phil - Refreshing New Face who was good in his role
John - Experience shined through him this morning, need to be elevated to a higher role - in order to ensure Daybreak can always maintain the right balance of news and lightweigh items.
Dr Hilary - Good. Did not seem as comfortable as on the GMTV Sofa, but I guess that was only nerves.
Overall, a good attempt - and I will continue watching. Need to now focus on embedded current news in the programme whilst retaining a populist agenda, embedded International News in the programme, make sure Interviewers have good questions to Interview in order to make for appointment to view watching. Overall, Daybreak - you certain broke the day; in the right way (that is).
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