GMTV (1993 - 2010)

I don't understand this desire to have a real window?

Unless you're a local news programme with a need to convince the viewers that you are actually where you claim to be, then it's an unnecessary element.

For any other programme, it just looks like a cheap excuse not to build a proper set. Neither GMTV or This Morning need to be in London, so why have visual confirmation that they are over-looking the Thames?

It is a shame that the view doesn't get used somewhere though. such an impressive view.

Having real windows on studio sets can be a right pain though. Can cause all kinds of problems with lighting levels in the studio. I think This morning have some kind of filter over the window but im not totally sure on that and there window is confined to only one part of the set. I always remember BBC News 24 when it first moved into N8 and had the desk looking over the Mezz with the big windows in the background the blinds were nearly always closed due to the lighting from outside drowning the cameras.

First revamp which took place, was it 7months in was it not?

Windows are a real challenge for lighting. This Morning uses a Rosco or similar gauze over the windows when it is very sunny (sometimes it looks like they use more than one layer) - which is essentially material with lots of tiny holes in it to massively reduce the light levels. (Trying to light a studio to match lunchtime summer sun is almost impossible without cooking people...)

Other solutions are to have frames of Neutral Density material (essentiall large bits of gel that cut down the light coming through) that can be placed over the windows, or alternatively you can (as many US broadcasters do) use polarising filters on the windows with complementary filters on the cameras (that effectively let you reduce the visibility of the direct light coming through the windows by rotating the polarising material on the camera). Polarisers don't cut down indirectly reflected light by the same amount though (as reflection will randomise polarisation) - so if you have sunlight hitting a sofa back, presenters hair etc. you can end up with very bright halos (the direct light is cut down massively, but the bounced stuff less-so). It is also very bright in the studio still with polarisers (as you're only cutting down the light the camera sees, not reducing the light levesl for people in the studio)

All of these require skill, and in some cases a lot of adjustment by people who know what they are doing. Most news-style shows will run on lower-levels of people, and with more multi-skilled staff who may not have these skills. (I would expect This Morning to have a more experienced lighting crew than GMTV for instance)

if you wanted a good view of London, just move GMTV to 1 Leicester Square Studios

There is no desire to have a real window, its just it would look better and the picture that GMTV has for its backdrop is almost identical to the real window at studio 7. I think it looks aesthetically better and gives it the edge over a fake backdrop.

As for This Morning- I think the need for them to have the backdrop dates back to when it came from Liverpool.

ISTR that the MTV and CBBC shows that came from there had quite an average view didn't they? It was a good idea - but the view didn't really deliver.

The old London Tonight studio at TLS had a brilliant view (and was lit very effectively to work day and night) - and is probably the best "real London view" of any studio I can remember.

The Andrew Marr Show has an excellent virtual skyline backdrop IMHO - though because it is recorded it doesn't reflect the weather in the way a live shot would. (But setting up multiple HD cameras and stitching them together live would be heinously expensive)

Haven't the Leicester Square studios been sold now?

Have to agree The AM Show does have one of the best backdrops going at the minute. Like you say shame it isn't live.

I don't agree with peoples sugestions of a more 'This morning' style format after 7. GMTV's highest viewing figures are between 7 and 8 when people are waking up - wanting news. With Jeremy Kyle moving, it would be better to see the 'This Morning' format during GMTV with Lorraine. (thats if this kitchen idea does materialise)

I am also having difficulty with the idea that GMTV's former newshour should be an ITV news clone. GMTV is far more easier to watch than the early morning ITV News and having GMTV presenters present from ITV News studio is pretty ludicrous!

I think the current GMTV set is perfectly acceptable, especially the sofa area where the fake backdrop looks 100% better than the view seen from the skyline studio. What GMTV really need is more floor space!!!!

Who's to say that GMTV wouldn't move into Studio 5 (the former Five News/Setanta Sports News studio) at ITN? That's been vacant since last year. There's also Studio 1 which is not really used heavily anymore. Just because the programme might move to Grays Inn Road doesn't necessarily mean it will be plonked in the ITV News studio. There are other options.

If you remove Penny and her news desk, you're pretty much left with This Morning anyway. GMTV Today hasn't fully been a news show for quite some time. It currently mixes news and lifestyle and doesn't do it very well. People watch GMTV for what it is, not for 'news'. So with news on BBC1, and GMTV in its current form, the obvious move should be to make it more 'lifestyle/entertainment'.

My reason for saying GMTV Newshour should be replaced by ITV branding is because the 'GMTV News' brand is pretty much dead in the water. They have a hell of a lot of restoration work to make it as strong as it used to be and it will take a lot of time to fix that. Its whether ITV are willing to make that commitment or if they just want to stamp 'ITV' over all of their news output. Although bad for pres fans, it makes good commercial sense to merge the two organisations. It doesn't make sense at all to have two separate news teams operating at that time in the morning when it is essentially for the same company. Of course they could share a team, but there would be a lot of legal issues and grey areas for example which company they are actually working for. Personally, I think the GMTV Newshour should remain, but realistically its probably not going to happen.

In brief- the ITV News brand has far more gravitas for 'news' than GMTV News does. I only say use the ITV News branding anyway and that just means yellow and black for graphics etc. It doesn't necessarily mean they have to use full on ITV News studio. Adapted graphics etc to make it more 'morning' and it could come from a studio similar to the one GMTV uses anyway, but rather than having a red sofa have a yellow or black one instead. (Think regions but without 'budget' written allover it). BBC Breakfast manage perfectly well adapting the BBC News brand to fit the morning, there is no reason why ITV can't do the same.