Daybreak - the launch onwards

I agree with everyone September will probably be the time when they implement the major set changes but as I said before it's the content not the presenters that need the major revamp.

I agree with bpmikey, Adrian and Kate do have a really good partnership and their chemistry is so much better. But I really like Christine as well she has come on along way since last year (however everybody is entitled to their own opinion) and she has excellent chemistry with Dan. As for Helen Fospero it was really good to see her present last Friday's edition of Lorraine they really should never have let her go. If they bring anyone back to Daybreak she should defintely be included as part of a wider revamp. Although Tasmin in my opinion is good, she is so much better now compared to when she anchored the news back at the launch, she seem's much more confident and settled.

I agree with DrewF the programme on a certain level has got worse in the sense that they've reverted back to the hybrid GMTV showbiz/lightweight format. But I think the reason why audience figures are stable (except holidays) is that Daybreak in its current form has settled in. It certainly has lost it's fresh feel and new look, however as you say the key question is that will the big revamp help to bring back more viewers or will it replicate the same mistakes as last year by alienating more viewers. Daybreak as discussed so many times needs more agenda setting news but it will be interesting to see what the revamp will entail.

Does anybody know when Christine is back, Kate all next week. Are they trying a new pair out? The latest rumor I have herd is that Andrew Castle will rejoin Kate on the sofa... very unlikely I think!

Christine has a month off so she's back the week after next. I seriously cannot see them bringing Andrew Castle back - not sure where that rumour has come from.

I don't see itv changing the presenting line up for a while. After all it's the content primarily which is the issue.
However, if they were to poach they should go for a high profile yet relatively unknown presenter from a news channel.
For example a good pairing, in my view, would be Mark Longhurst from sky and Martine Croxall from the BBC.

They'd be more likely to bring Ben back (which isn't going to happen either).

Hmm this article seems like a load of rubbish :

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/tv/2011/06/28/christine-bleakey-and-adrian-chiles-could-switch-from-daybreak-slot-to-become-one-show-evening-rivals-115875-23231589/

Yep - and the undertone is that they would be competing head-to-head with The One Show - when they would be on half-an-hour earlier, competing with regularly the most popular news programme in Britain (the BBC 1830 regional opt), or an hour earlier competing with the Six O'Clock News.

Can't see ITV spending the money required to make a decent One Show equivalent - they've spent it all on the presenters.

Totally agree it probably just another round of rumours regarding the future of the programme.

In relation to the rumours the latest regarding the 'signficant set changes' is that they will revert back to a smaller 'tried and tested' studio design. The implication being is that they will revert back to a similar layout as TV-am and GMTV had before with the fake backdrop. Without knowing the validity of these so called claims if they were to go back to that kind studio design surely that's a step backwards not forwards. The current studio has had it's fair share of problems then revamps thoughout the year for better or worse (as discussed many times on the forum). But did ITV Breakfast not spend £1.5 million rebuilding and revamping Studio 7 for Daybreak last summer?

Also it was really good seeing Helen Fospero covering for Lorraine last Friday, I know I keep talking about it but I thought she was brilliant.

I really can't see them putting a new show at 6.30pm because it just messes the entire schedule up. It will end up at 5pm or 8pm if its true, although ITV have had worse ideas than trying it at 10pm and putting the news back to 10.30pm. I can't see it happening though, they'll eventually opt for Adrian & Kate and Christine & Dan/Chris Hollins/whoever splitting the week GMTV style.

With regards to the above post, I don't think they'll be moving out of studio 7 because it would mean not broadcasting in HD and they can easily block the window out if they don't want to use it. The current set looks too industrial (or it did when it started, it looks a mess at the minute), and dare I say it too much like RI:SE mk1. They need to go back to a fluffy/cosy set up but with a modern twist, not something that belongs in 1982 like the last GMTV set. Something along the lines of ITV1's 3@three would be good.

It would definitely be a huge step backwards. Why have fake when you can have the really thing.
I think the problem they had with the real backdrop last year was more to the do with the fact that the windows had been created to be the set. It offered a brilliant backdrop in September, and without the big red sofa would offer one at the moment. If they set up a GMTV/This Morning style approach of creating fake walls encompassing the window with a view, it could work a lot better.

To a point Badger264 made, I do partially agree on the RI:SE mk 1 reference, but I liked the original RI:SE set, mainly for its use of screens that could transform the studio in an instant.

I agree about that 3@three set, it looks very nice from that clip, and they even seem to pull off the purple sofa without going for an in your face red.

With a bit of reshuffling, I think it could work in their current home. I'd amend the stage area, onto angle on the corner rather than facing up the studio. I use the current newsdesk as a presenters desk. Have the bulk of 6 - 7, possibly 7:30 from here, where blinds (possibly blue or lilac, something not bright yellow!) could be used in the winter/dark periods. Have the sofa where it is (possibly a bit smaller), but when mornings are too dark, move the sofa to the staging area in front of screens (where a bright sky, a daybreak wipe, or a random image could show), and use the usual sofa area for features and performances. In dark mornings, this would make a better area for performances with the dark sky & the neon lights working well.

As for other parts, I'd get rid of the desk in front of the big screen, and have the news bulletins from a traditional Penny Smith high but small desk in front of the white column of screens to utilise this a bit more. The large screen could continue to be used for the weather, along with stools for items such as a sport discussion, or on the box, etc.

Daybreak may just of got the hint they need more news, a special edition of Daybreak tomorrow

I think that set is vile!


One point i'd like to make about Daybreak's windows is that i think they should put more voltage through them! What is the point of having the view if it is just blue washed?! I'd like to see it more like this: http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_52fEs928HmQ/TH9yjqJ6S_I/AAAAAAAAA7I/_q3z_smhcYc/s1600/article-1307842-0AFC98DF000005DC-611_468x286.jpg
And less like this: