Nighttime Ratings

I've always thought nightime TV is really lacking. But then I'm such an insomniac and therefore get bored and would like more choice.

From my experience the real dead hours seems to be about 4AM - 5AM. Even on cable most channels seem to go off in the 3-4AM slot. Even UK Gold seems to have stuff I'd never watch like Neighbours or The Bill, Doctors etc.

For me to sleep old British sitcoms or documentaries seem best but rolling news that repeats a lot isn't too bad. Couldn't find anything worth watching last night between 4AM to 6AM and dug out my Hi-De-Hi DVD's.

It would be good if the BBC repeated certain primetime shows overnight, like they do with the signed ones. I've caught loads of things I missed on that. Or roll on a cable PVR.

Pah! Pah! Pah! What happenned to the good ol' teletext pages they were using in 1998?

Do the ratings include those that have fallen asleep watching them?

I'd have thought that would make up most of the audience. The TV here is often on at that time of night, but all that's watching it is a cat sitting on top of a snoring fat bloke.

As far as through-the-night ratings go - something must make it a bit worthwhile, as ITV actually broadcast a fair amount of original programming through the night.

Just off the top of my head, for example:

Redcoats
CD:UK Hotshots
Turn On Terry
Take The Mike
Cybernet
The Machine
Entertainment Now
Mixmasters
Brian's Boyfriends
The Jules & Lulu Show
Orange Playlist

(OK - these shows are pretty cheap to make, but a reasonable amount of thought has gone into them)

These shows have no commercials between them, so the only benefit is to air promotions for more popular ITV shows.
For those not familiar with through-the-night ITV, these shows often air with absolutely NOTHING between them (i.e they seemlessly go from end credits straight to the introductory ident to the next opening titles), and just 2 or 3 promotions in the 'breaks'.

one of my personal favourites ... although it hasn't been on for ages

Indeed News24 gets 10 times as many viewers on it's nighttime showing on BBC1 than it does during the day as News24

Good Lord!! What's wrong with you? I'll never forget that fluffy pink dumpster!!!

A flash back to ITV Nightime 2001 style

http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight1.jpg
Now at... 23 minutes past 4... the latest headlines from Sharon
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight2.jpg
or Owen
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight6.jpg
That desk looks small compared to today's doesn't it
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight7.jpg
Nothing looks small in this pic
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight3.jpg
Now the enlightening ITV Nightscreen with showbiz news and programme gossip. It's midly entertaining!
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight4.jpg
It looks like it literally was Powerpoint back then
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight8.jpg
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight9.jpg
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight10.jpg
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight11.jpg
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight12.jpg
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight13.jpg
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight14.jpg
I believe they updated it to a much slicker look around 2002/3 and then the contract passed to Gower in 2004 who had the blue look with animated squares and now the black look
http://www.hillyard22.freeserve.co.uk/oldnight5.jpg
End of ITV Sport Classics

Anyone got any other captures of Nightscreen through the ages from the Teletext era to present day, anyone know when it started?

STOP IT!! Stop it with the screencaps...

You'll just get me going on how much better ITV was in 2001 - the midst of the Hearts Era...

Just looking at those captures.....all those regional idents......Crossroads.....ITV news before it dumbed down......

Night Time was better when there used to be a live announcer during the week, time and name checking the news, and cheesy recorded announcements at the weekend that never changed. With Night Time featuring a range of unique commissions it would be good if they could brand it as a specific zone, they should get one of those up and coming independants to knock something together for £100 all inclusive

As requested ITV Nightscreen 1998 style.....

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998a.jpg
Tim Wilcox with the Classic: "That's it more News later"

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998e.jpg
Nightscreen starts with some stuff about Emmerdale

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998f.jpg
..classic Animation here

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998g.jpg
..what looks like a Rocket

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998h.jpg
...we get the first bit of the =

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998i.jpg
....ITV......

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998k.jpg

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998l.jpg
...taking the 888 style....

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998m.jpg
..What's on Tonight....

http://www.rp-networkservices.com/tvforum/uploads/nightscreen1998n.jpg
..as you can see a great Monday evening on ITV and that's where the recording ends.