Daybreak - the launch onwards

I totally agree with Badger 264, Chris, bpmikey and others, the reason Daybreak continues to have poor ratings is down to the content of the programme. GMTV in it's heyday had a much better balance with more news content and agenda setting news. What ultimately led to its demise was too much emphasis on showbiz and lighthearted features in many ways Daybreak is just a repeat of this. For instance this morning they were talking about wearing hats at Royal Ascot As someone said Daybreak is 'like GMTV with windows'. That's the fundamental problem until the producers and editors realise this then I'm afraid there will be no improvement in terms of audience appreciation or ratings.

Also with the rumours that ITV are trying to poach Chris Hollins I very much doubt that would make any difference. However, there is a real opportunity once Breakfast moves to Salford to improve the programme they have to go back to basics and produce more agenda setting news content then the show's reputation will gradually begin to build up.

Breakfast sends its weather presenter to OB from Royal Ascot each year in addition to discussing hats.

Not that there is anything wrong with that; I'm just saying.

Absolutely he could have poached Adrian. ITV had tried before just to get him to do their football - for a similar sum (it's rumoured).

However you can't poach a presenter with no show to go to - so they'd have had to find something for Christine to do.


Fincham went on-record early in his ITV career as not wanting to repeat his success with The One Show.



Interesting. Chris Hollins was widely tipped for The One Show as Adrian's replacement - but it never really happened for him. He replaced Anita Rani on Watchdog, and has a few other BBC shows, and proved popular on Strictly. However does he have the "lead presenter" stuff - he's mostly cast as a side-kick?

It would probably be sidekick role with Kate leading. If Christine is kept I imagine she'll be paired with Dan.

He's a bit dull I find.

I see Helen Fospero has been re-introduced to the "ITV Breakfast" family covering for Lorraine this morning.

I am surprised that Penny Smith has never been used, unless she was asked and refused.

Think you're missing my point. He's not struck me as co-presenter, even junior co-presenter material, very much more as an additional presenter, as he is on Watchdog or Breakfast.

He did Cash in the Attick alone. Not that it's a terrily demanding programme...

In the papers today it says that she was a very, very last minute replaement (ie, at eleven o'clock the night before) as the planned stand-in Fiona Phillips was ill.

Good to see Helen back - a very underrated presenter - or perhaps underused

I may appear a little naïve here, but can I ask why Daybreak should take advantage of Breakfast moving to Salford? That is to say, why will Breakfasts move make any difference at all? I was under the impression that the show 'Breakfast' in terms of content, was bigger than it's presenters - therefore a change in presenters wouldn't impact ratings or popularity at all. Just curious! I personally think that there is no time like the present to revamp Daybreak, and not wait until Breakfast moves.

This is a good point. If they pretty much leave it alone in terms of content and set, nobody will be any the wiser. It's a shame Sian is leaving but Sussanah Reid is staying. And I prefer her anyway. Daybreak needs to revamp sooner rather than later and just hope it works.