Live from Studio Five

Do you really think they'd be doing it if it didn't technically meet the news remit?

They are trying to do anything to get an audience, and thus ad revenue, for their news output (which they have to have for PSB licence reasons) - and nothing is working for them (having a tiny budget can't help...)

I'm sure they'd drop it like a stone if they could replace it with something cheaper and/or bought in.

They probably wouldn't be doing it, but they could be in the same position with much less stick (and in turn maybe more viewers) if they appeared to move the 7pm bulletin, and then dropping where it was moved.

I'm sure the 7pm bulletin got twice as many viewers.

Personally I don't think the second thirty minute bulletin is important - there is an audience there for the 5pm one - but I'd like to see the hourly news updates restored to something like their former glory, especially in prime-time.

Any news on a replacement yet?

The Media Guardian article says that Melinda is going to be replaced by guest hosts - including Ricky Whittle (Hollyoaks actor and Strictly contestant), Gloria del Piero (sp?) from GMTV etc.

Her contract isn't due to finish until March though - so there is a time to go yet.

They should replace her with Sam Fox. She's topshot at live presenting.

I'm going to be a bit outspoken here, but I think it's actually improved. I do sometimes watch bits of it. Apart from the one minute update at 7pm it's certainly not news, and is certainly far worse than Five News at 7, but it's not as bad as it was when it began. There seems to be less of the presenters opinions whenever I watch it, which could sometimes dominate the show

Having said that Ofcom should relax some of the requirements for Five News, get rid of the pointless lunchtime bulletin for starters, and get Five to invest the savings in a better 5pm news, and possibly improve the weekend bulletins again. The 5pm news has reduced in standard in the past year or so, with many reports rather obviously done so they are suitable to be re-shown on Studio Five. Theres a lot off 'and finally stuff' that isn't the 'and finally' section. Going back to the 2008 relaunch, the 5pm bulletin would cover all of the day's hard news while still having some lighter stuff at the end. Sometimes now stories are omitted, or just covered in brief when perhaps they could do with a report.

It seems that Melidan Messenger has blamed co-host Ian Wright for her 'shock' exit from the show. I can't think why!!!

Here's the supporting article if anyone's interested: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1257201/Melinda-Messenger-quit-Live-Studio-Five-Ian-Wright.html

I find it rather ironic that Ian Wright blames Melinda for talking over him and Kate Walsh. Whenever I saw the programme, it was he who was shouting over the ladies

Any ratings for Friday (the 19th). They had Justin Beiber on last night who has a lot of loyal fans. Did that help it at all?

Tonight - while watching Five News - I noticed it's presented by Jayne Middlemiss and Michael Underwood with Kate Walsh.

Isn't Emma Willis supposed to be doing something with Big Brother's Little Brother, and as for Ian Wright, I'd take a guess that he's doing something for the World Cup.