That blue globe background used on 2 ways and phone interview-type graphics really is fab. I hope the revamp is equally as good... which I think it will be.
ITV did appear to have alot less live and recorded reports from the Gulf yesterday. Katie Derham did well on the Evening News, but hopefully Mark Austin will be back tonight.
This afternoon she seemed to be presenting the coverage well and getting into it. I thought she might be thinking "I'd rather be reporting the sport" but obviously not!
She seems nervous usually, like Mary Nightingale- who is also a great newsreader (when she's on!).
Why do you think they are nervous ? They're not nervous, these people are professionals, it's just their voice.
It's the way they come across. Twitching and moving their heads. I don't think Felicity is good at all- awful on the ITV Lunchtime Summary at 1.00 today.
I think confident and experienced regional presenters, such as Meridian Tonight's Fred Dinenage, North East Tonight's Mike Neville or Central News' Marie Ashby and Bob Warman are equally as good as national 'presenters', if not better.
There is something I don't like about Mark Austin too, and his pauses between certain words on the autocue make it so slow.
There is something I don't like about Mark Austin too, and his pauses between certain words on the autocue make it so slow.
It must be very difficult and tiring staying up virtually round the clock in 100 degree heat and sandstorms, anchoring live news daily, conducting reports to Syria, Iraq, Washington, London, the studio, whilst you yourself are essentially in a desert in Kuwait, with God knows what going on in your ear.
I wouldn't be surprised if he gets commended for his work after all this, I think he's been doing very well indeed. Trevor has it easy in comparison.
I meant when he's in the London studio on the 6.30. He is a good reporter, but I don't think his 'presenting' style suits.
And Sir Trevor is a news anchor these days, meaning he doesn't have to be at the scene as the reporters. He brings his professionalism and cold-but-warm manner to any programme.
I think Mark Austin is doing a bloomin fantastic job! With Lyse Doucet they are the best anchors out of studio. Mark's time on Survivor has no doubt helped him.
Did anyone see the ITV News promo earlier this evening? I thought Mark Webster would report at the beginning of the war, but he seems to have not appeared since the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman report last year.
The best nationals are Sir Trevor McDonald, John Suchet and Nicholas Owen. Followed by Katie Derham and Mary Nightingale.
I haven't seen the Welsh and Scottish regional programmes, but the best regional presenters are Gordon Burns (BBC North West), Anne Davies (BBC East Midlands), Fred Dinenage (Meridian Tonight), Bob Warman (Central News), Nick Owen (BBC West Midlands) Alistair Stewart (London Tonight), Marie Ashby (Central News), Natasha Kaplinsky (ex Meridian Tonight and London Tonight) and Lisa Foden (Central News).
1. Sir Trevor McDonald/John Suchet
2. Nicholas Owen
3. Leyla Daybelge
4. Mary Nightingale
... and also Katie Derham, Bill Neely and Felicity Barr near the top.
I don't particularly like James Mates as a newscaster, but I like him as a reporter.
The best nationals are Sir Trevor McDonald, John Suchet and Nicholas Owen. Followed by Katie Derham and Mary Nightingale.
I haven't seen the Welsh and Scottish regional programmes, but the best regional presenters are Gordon Burns (BBC North West), Anne Davies (BBC East Midlands), Fred Dinenage (Meridian Tonight), Bob Warman (Central News), Nick Owen (BBC West Midlands) Alistair Stewart (London Tonight), Marie Ashby (Central News), Natasha Kaplinsky (ex Meridian Tonight and London Tonight) and Lisa Foden (Central News).
MDR seen as you havent seen the Wales news our presenters on BBC Wales are Sara Edwards, Jamie something - sorry I dont watch BBC.
On HTV Wales - the main ones are Lucy Cohen, Jonathan Hill, Juliet Piper, Tara Eugene, Andrew Jones, Sally Johnson, Richard Nosworthy, Justina Simpson and Ruth Wignel
And on HTV West its Jenny Hull, Richard Lyddon, Peter Rowell and Fiona Wilson.