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JN
JNDorset
Does anyone know if Carlton Westcountry have any plans to change their Westcountry News programmes. They've had the same titles for about three years now. Central change theirs every 5 minutes!
I think the reason Central change so much is they not only feel they need to move with the times, as titles and sets go out of date rather quickly but I think they've also been searching for the right format.
As for Westcountry News, I think its good to have a similar format. Some things never seem to get old and its builds up a reputation. Take Yorkshire TV and Calendar, they haven't changed their name or theme in years and everyone has come to know it.
But is it good to totally change the theme of the main regional news programme? Look at Granada as an example. After over 10 years of Tonight - which probably appeared to be the furture then, this modern and relaxed style of presentation - they've finally gone back to the traditional format of Granada Reports. Whether it'll work for them and whether viewers return to a familiar brand remains to be seen. But ITV moving the news from 5.40 certainly hasn't helped regional viewing figures. I understand they're down over 20% since the move.
Central News actually used to go head to head with Midlands Today at 6.30 before the changes in 1999. We always had Home & Away at 6.00
Anyway, I think it is a good thing to have the ITN News on before the regional programmes, it just seemed to work better.
Also as it currently stands, if you like one programme on the BBC and one on ITV1 then you are a stuck because if you like the Six on BBC ONE but Central News on ITV1 then you are stuck!
A better idea would be for Channel 4 to move the news forward 30 minutes, therefore viewers could watch the regional news on ITV at 6pm and switch over to Channel 4 for a decently produced national news programme.