I've just noticed, their top story wasn't "we are Good Morning Britain" which I have to commend. I remember when Daybreak launched their top story was pretty much "Daybreak launch" and they did a studio tour and talked about the 'amazing' view out of the dark window.
I think Good Morning Britain is very American but I'm finding it so refreshing. The more I see, the more I like...
A really impressive launch from Good Morning Britain - just hope it is allowed to stick with their vision regardless of ratings. What I liked about it most was how it now feels like ITV News has a presence at breakfast time, without it being an ITV News show. It's easy to say how Breakfast looks dated on a day like today but what GMB showed is you can have a strong link to the main news branding without having to stick to a generic look.
It felt fresh and modern rather than cosy and tired and faults are few and far between. The ticker, DOG and weather graphics weren't too intrusive at all - and as others have mentioned the only thing that didn't look quite right was the main aston, especially during the regional news.
I'd personally scrap the personalised handovers or restrict them to the first bulletin - in a way rather than connecting the elements more by doing them it kind of feels like every region is getting the same newsreader, so it's less personalised. Only other element that needs work is Andi Peters - I've no problem with a competition on the OB and thought the phone in bit was relatively short compared to most - but the "Wheel of Cash" comp was so cheap it was embarrassing - had to laugh at Sean trying to big up someone winning £50 when he threw back to him.
P.S. Sean and Charlotte were very impressive and thought the link they did with just the two of them at the desk might be a glimpse of the future. It's not the time to get into tedious rota chat until we have the facts but I suspect that two of these four will always be the lead presenters - both Kate and Ranvir will be fine standing in for Charlotte (including when she stands in for Susanna) - just hope it's not John Stapleton in Sean's chair when either him or Ben are away as I just don't think he fits. Surely they'd want someone from more of a sport background than news background for that role.
Ah, so it was just Meridian with the hideous framing. Anglia's probably looks the best. Maybe grab some copies of the Yellow Pages for the other regions trying the same shot?
So who'd put money on the links to regional news being exactly the same tomorrow (i.e. not refilmed so Ben is still in the same suit). Realise thats not the point in the link, but It wouldn't be the first disappointment from ITV!
Certainly a very interesting effort, and one I oddly found myself liking! The titles were superb, and I really quite liked the music and the set. However, the on-screen graphics looked a bit odd though, with the top of the weather bar not the same height as the space next to it. Also, when reading through the top news stories there was a fair bit of jumping from presenter to presenter, with Charlotte taking a very prominent role - I saw more of her than Suzanna in the time I watched! But I'm glad they stuck with the ticker until 8:30, as I expected that they'd stop at 7:30 like GMTV did or only use them for a short period of time like Daybreak did, and I can only hope that don't revert to GMTV/Daybreak style based on Twitter comments and stick this one out - if they do that I think they might have an actual contender to BBC Breakfast.
Andi Peters needs to go though. I can't see why they put more emphasis on the competition instead of less...
EDIT: Did other regions get a weather presenter this morning? Anglia didn't and instead had a very low-res still slide which showed local weather for some point during the day, whilst the local news presenter read out a forecast - I thought a different region did the forecast if one region couldn't do one?
Overall the hype on this forum is undeserved as the show is no better than Daybreak. My Review: 2*
Indeed and after all the hype it is no more newsy than Daybreak 2 was when it launched, in fact there more showbiz than that launch.
How is this going to win back viewers? The minute Andi Peters turns up with his wheel and Ross Kelly appear with that ludicrous 1980s Hollywood background any news viewer giving it a one off chance is lost.
Like Daybreak 1 only tv forumers will like it.
Daybreak's former consumer correspondent nails the competition issue beautifully.
philreaysmith
I wish they'd drop the cash prizes. Massive money spinner but kryptonite to the news viewers they are targeting
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The fact that they've made it an even bigger part of the show is just beyond ridiculous.
-The regional handovers are too obvious and don't work. This morning one of the Granada opts had four seconds of Ben waiting to read the script and the end of the bulletin was cut off. Granada's graphics were actually identical to the main programme apart from the size of the time in the clock, presumably as they have one of the newest regional newsrooms.
The time graphic was the GMB style correctly, but the rest of the graphics were their usual ITV News style, which did not line up with the GMB ones (at least in the first bulletin of the day). There were also several graphics clashes with things appearing behind the GMB logo and clock. The ITV News logo on a name strap (just one, it was removed from most) and the sponsorship sting for the weather had the company's branding hidden, along with text "Sponsors of weather on Good Morning Granada" (can't remember the exact phrase). As VMPhil says, the pause at the start of the "hand-over" made it obvious it was pre-recorded (and part of it was a pause of the recording rather than waiting for Ben to say his line). Of course all of this could and should be easily sorted out, as they are probably just minor teething troubles with the new set up.
The time text was definitely not the same size as the main programme. If you watch back the 6.30 opt where it cuts too early you'll see the difference. I wonder if they originally had it that size and failed to inform the regions that they'd changed it at short notice since the rest of the graphics are spot on.
That's interesting. I didn't think Channel TV's output was back-hauled to Chiswick/Leeds, I thought
they simply opt themselves out of a 'dirty' Meridian feed locally ?
I think it would be a good idea if Sussana and Charlotte are both off, to have either Ranvir and Kate (not both) and laura at the desk as I felt her appearance lurking on the side of the desk at the TOTH quite out of place and awkward.
In terms of Charlottes role, although she was fairly involved, I felt her role was not that distinguishable. Maybe she could have more to do on the social media side?
The big thing for me that I don't like are all presenters reading the news at the beginning. Seemed a bit mish mash.
In terms of regional news, didn't notice a significant extension to them. Also no travel on Calendar even though this was something that was promoted. Like the idea of regional handovers, but they are repetitive. As the 6:55 and 7:55 updates are so close to the ad breaks, maybe regional news could come straight in from the break rather than a handover. Regional news and weather graphics need to be aligned with the GMB look.
Apart from these few points, I think that the programme was great. Really loved the titles and the ITV News integration. Agreed with the point made earlier about integrating ITV Weather. The flow was somewhat jumpy, but upbeat and defiantly got me up. Much better than what we've seen in the past. Studio wise, I liked the mixed use of the different areas, however thought it would be nice if all presenters gathered together at the end of the programme.
Just a question, like the ITV Lunchtime news, are regional reporters on standby for GMB? Felt it was a bit confusing with the Sheffiled fire story having 2 reporters.
Well I was pleasantly surprised with the launch show of GMB. Very modern feel and having 4 presenters really makes the program feel something a bit unique, it's almost like waking up to a family or group of friends. I think this could become something good again for itv.
Now it's a bit early to judge seeing as we have only had one program so far but for me at least I cant help but feel that Charlotte Hawkins is the weakest link in the presenter line up. I may have to eat my words on this as it is early days but my money is on that she will be out the door by Christmas. Just feels like the other 3 gel quite easily but to me felt like Charlotte wasn't joining in in quite the same way. It might just be that I know the other 3 from other projects and she is new to me but something didn't seem quite right but time will tell.
Only other things that stood out that I wasn't keen on was the animating weather bug, by all means keep it but just tone down the animation as it's a bit distracting at times. Also ditch the pre-recorded link to the regions, we all know it's recorded and I hate it when I see the regional presenter thanking Ben even though he's not there.
A really impressive launch from Good Morning Britain - just hope it is allowed to stick with their vision regardless of ratings. .
You really don't have a clue about the commercial realities of this do you?
I think what Brekkie means is if they stick at it and don't keep chopping and changing like they have in the past, they may build a solid programme which people could start to move to. People don't like change so there's bound to be hostility today - but changing it continually to try and grab viewers will surely do the opposite?
Agree with most of what has been said. Make the weather alphabetical, scrap the regional handovers and reduce the time given to the competition. I can't see Breakfast viewers flocking back just yet.
For me GMB was a success, compare that to Daybreak version 2 this morning was fresh, lively and most of all informative.
The one presenter reading out the top stories is a good idea, it means straight away the viewer is totally aware of what is happening. The "New overnight" and "new this morning" are a tad gimmicky but it works with the set and the overall running order of the show.
Whereas with Daybreak it was harder to get the key information I feel I could tune into GMB at any point and be up to date with what is going on. I've always championed more regional news and although there is no 8am bulletins the timings and extra bulletins are much needed. The regular news headline summary also meant that the top stories were easily accessible and not too far away.
The on screen ticker is such a good element! One family member always says that the good thing about Sky News is that you can always read what is going on. Now you can do the same on ITV!
The titles were not what I were expecting but they get straight to the point, they're not a long winded animation of a flying sun, nor are they a montage of clips with people waking up, the show really does kick in right from the word go.
But like many the only niggle is the competition, why do I care about some butcher who works at Leeds market winning £50…and then…we have to sit through the viewer competition. GMB is not Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and the Wheel of Fortune should be kept to Challenge. I know they are trying to reinvent the wheel with the live on-the-road competitions but they'd be better of just doing what they've done before. Show us the details, what you can win, how you can enter. Job done in a minute. Instead five minutes here and there is sacrificed from the schedule which could be used to increase time with guests, interviews and allow for more news items.
Other than that a good start, they've come out and created something different from what we've been used to, but it's a good change and hopefully the Daybreakers will warm to it and hopefully they can attract some viewers.
