The LNN News Move And Network Presentation Thread

As LNN's proposed move to ITN's Gray's Inn Road HQ seems increasingly likely, with job losses certain, it seems a good time to debate how London's regional news service would change if the two organisations were merged.

Some would argue that if cutbacks were to be implemented, London Tonight would degrade, with national news taking a precedent over local issues, and understaffing causing a drop in standards. Perhaps however, being located at ITN, surrounded by world class technicians and journalists, the service would improve, with journalistic and technical standards rising. Also, with fewer staff, surely the LNN team would be forced to be more creative and ingenious - surely a good thing.

Also, if LNN's news operation moved from the South Bank to Gray's Inn Road, is it time to also consider where ITV's network presentation control is operated from? Would Gray's Inn Road be a better location, or even moving it out of London altogether. As a regular viewer of Central, Birmingham seemed to provide a far superior service - that is, until most pres was networked. Now there is no way of avoiding LNN's regular mistakes and appauling continuity.

Or perhaps, networked pres is too much to handle - should we revert to individual pres control and continuity?

Discuss.

I think that LNN is pretty world-class technically already - as it shares premises with GMTV and LWT - both not exactly technically backward. In many ways the facilities at the South Bank may be deemed to be higher quality than some at ITN - certainly I think all the LNN studio facilities are digital - whereas I believe that there are still some analogue studios (Five News - analogue component??) at ITN. Also LNN are waiting to switch to 16:9 - all their kit is set-up for this (and indeed does the ITV weather in this format?) - whereas I think ITN are still resisting the move.

Another major difference between LNN and ITN currently is their tape formats and production systems. LNN are based on BetaSX and edit on Sony Servers I believe, ITN are based on BetaSP and DVCPro and edit on Quantel servers AIUI. Not impossible to solve - but also not insignificant either. (Did LNN buy Thames News MII archive?)

Admittedly, in terms of it's equipment, LNN is, technically speaking, world class. But, doesn't anyone else think that it could benefit from ITN's influence - or, for that matter, vice versa. Surely, if the cashflow directed toward LNN remained the same, combining the two entities could only bring benefits.

Will the LNN move have any impact on ITV network control? or is this going to remain at the south bank?

Oh, goodness me, a Lord now!

Makes a change from Ladies, Baronesses and people who do crochet in cottages just north of Leeds!

A Lord indeed - and all 100% legal. Consult http://www.elitetitles.net if you would like to adopt such as title - Duke Harvey of Deepest Wiltshire rather suits you!

Ah, that's okay then, I can ignore you from here on.

Your response indicates exactly where you DON'T work.

Awwwww, a nice reference to our dear Dame Magdeline Mash. It sounds like she lives like Hannah Hauxwell, has she got a cow and a goat ?

Hannah Hauxwell?

Is that a nom de plume for Edna Welthorpe (Mrs)?

Anyway, does anybody know if ITV's Network playout facilities will be moving to the ITN building or whether it is just the news operation?

If you send a PM to Edgar Welthorp-Alldritt in Newfoundland, I'm sure he'll help you out with your question, M'Lord!

I'm not sure what you mean Nick. Your humour is lost on me.

This is supposed to be an open forum, so why do I need to private-message people for responses?