CO
A new thread for the thread; Marc Mallett is doing a health challenge this year on UTV's "The Seven Thirty Show", and the first of many reports was on tonight's programme where his fitness levels were tested.
FWIW, Marc's stats at the time of filming are:
6ft 2.25ins (188.7cm) in height, 88.4kg (13st 13oz) in weight and a 24.3% BMI
We didn't see the BMI index test taking place, as Marc instructed (jokingly) to turn the camera off when the instructor asked him to take his shirt off, tut.
Who knows, when the challenge ends in 16 weeks, he could have a Schaf-like physique.
Indeed, tonight's STS had Kim Woodburn in the studio and Tina Campbell dancing with people from Strictly. Bet our Iris enjoyed it from her hospital bed, all that gayness on Ulster Television - and no Julian in sight!
FWIW, Marc's stats at the time of filming are:
6ft 2.25ins (188.7cm) in height, 88.4kg (13st 13oz) in weight and a 24.3% BMI
We didn't see the BMI index test taking place, as Marc instructed (jokingly) to turn the camera off when the instructor asked him to take his shirt off, tut.
Who knows, when the challenge ends in 16 weeks, he could have a Schaf-like physique.
Indeed, tonight's STS had Kim Woodburn in the studio and Tina Campbell dancing with people from Strictly. Bet our Iris enjoyed it from her hospital bed, all that gayness on Ulster Television - and no Julian in sight!
CO
Marc is primarily on Seven Thirty Show/lunchtime news duties these days; I believe it's mainly Gillian, Pamela, Rose and Julian now with the very rare relief shift from Sarah Dobson and Aidan Browne. MM did a pre-recorded link into The Queen's Speech on Christmas Day but that's all I'm aware he's done pres-wise.
Robin was last reportedly heard/seen on UTV during the 2008 into 2009 period. A shame he decided not to continue working for UTV, he was highly underrated IMO.
Robin was last reportedly heard/seen on UTV during the 2008 into 2009 period. A shame he decided not to continue working for UTV, he was highly underrated IMO.
CR
Agreed - always thought he was pretty good. Met him a few times, a really nice bloke as well.
Marc is primarily on Seven Thirty Show/lunchtime news duties these days; I believe it's mainly Gillian, Pamela, Rose and Julian now with the very rare relief shift from Sarah Dobson and Aidan Browne. MM did a pre-recorded link into The Queen's Speech on Christmas Day but that's all I'm aware he's done pres-wise.
Robin was last reportedly heard/seen on UTV during the 2008 into 2009 period. A shame he decided not to continue working for UTV, he was highly underrated IMO.
Robin was last reportedly heard/seen on UTV during the 2008 into 2009 period. A shame he decided not to continue working for UTV, he was highly underrated IMO.
Agreed - always thought he was pretty good. Met him a few times, a really nice bloke as well.
CO
Northern Ireland 'neglected' by TV broadcasters: BBC News
I definitely agree with the points raised in the document; I strongly agree RTÉ and TG4 provision should continue on digital platforms after 2012. I also welcome any opportunity to provide funding for non-news public service broadcasting, especially drama, current affairs and other-language broadcasting - not just Irish or Ulster-Scots. And on top of portrayals and representation beyond "Taigs v Prods", I'd like to see a reflection of Norn Iron that isn't Belfast-centric.
Typically, UTV are putting a good spin on the positive statements or indications about them, especially compared to the report's remarks on other UK-based broadcasters, yet I am exasperated Mr Wilson again fails to give any indication UTV as a television company themselves are dedicated to more local production yet is happy to promote the potential this investment could have for independent producers.
The report also indicates that an independently funded news consortium should only be launched in Northern Ireland based on how the planned pilots pan out, which I'm sure Mr Wilson is feeling smug about right now - but it seems apparent from the report the idea has not been completely ruled out.
I definitely agree with the points raised in the document; I strongly agree RTÉ and TG4 provision should continue on digital platforms after 2012. I also welcome any opportunity to provide funding for non-news public service broadcasting, especially drama, current affairs and other-language broadcasting - not just Irish or Ulster-Scots. And on top of portrayals and representation beyond "Taigs v Prods", I'd like to see a reflection of Norn Iron that isn't Belfast-centric.
Typically, UTV are putting a good spin on the positive statements or indications about them, especially compared to the report's remarks on other UK-based broadcasters, yet I am exasperated Mr Wilson again fails to give any indication UTV as a television company themselves are dedicated to more local production yet is happy to promote the potential this investment could have for independent producers.
The report also indicates that an independently funded news consortium should only be launched in Northern Ireland based on how the planned pilots pan out, which I'm sure Mr Wilson is feeling smug about right now - but it seems apparent from the report the idea has not been completely ruled out.
CO
It's a disgrace they are getting rid of Pamela Ballantine. Always a competent presenter, a lovely lady in real life, and can read a news bulletin infinite times better than the likes of Dobson and Fitzgerald. Bet they'll give Gillian Porter, Rose Neill and/or Lynda Bryans their cards soon.
Oh, how much I'd love UTV not to get their grubby arrogant little mitts on any ITV regional news franchise and for them to lose theirs when the tender process for Northern Ireland happens - and it will happen, and not a moment too soon.
Sorry, rant over.
Oh, how much I'd love UTV not to get their grubby arrogant little mitts on any ITV regional news franchise and for them to lose theirs when the tender process for Northern Ireland happens - and it will happen, and not a moment too soon.
Sorry, rant over.
JJ
jjne
They can't put the NI licence out to tender without doing the same everywhere else, surely? Why single out the independent?
(Of course, I'd love ITV to be stripped of the North East licence but it'll never happen now).
And it has to be said that UTV is a bit of a white knight figure here, the sooner ITV loses the local news here the better, and I'd be delighted if UTV got it.
(Of course, I'd love ITV to be stripped of the North East licence but it'll never happen now).
And it has to be said that UTV is a bit of a white knight figure here, the sooner ITV loses the local news here the better, and I'd be delighted if UTV got it.
CO
I stand against the status UTV claims that there is no need to put the Northern Ireland Channel 3 news service to contract, if the current pilots are a success and the plan is rolled out across the country, as they believe their news service remains viable. It smacks of arrogance and complacency; no broadcaster should believe they have the divine right to a broadcasting licence, especially in this day and age of increased media competition.
I have noticed a decline in the quality of local news output on UTV; their news agenda is crashing more towards didactic than informative, they have shed themselves of long-serving, trusted and experienced journalists for a bunch of unrefined, ingratiating young staff - with the emphasis on young, invariably blonde females who sound like they are reading to a two-year old child. Just watch any bulletin Sarah Clarke (née Dobson) or especially Rita Fitzgerald presents and try not to cringe in the first minute at how atrocious they are. They have taken on so many female reporters in the past year or so, Havelock House has become like a clone factory. (And I should note, BBC Newsline are guilty to a similar degree of this, but when I was home at Christmas, they seem to be redressing the balance in terms of recruiting new young male reporters.)
Those who have been retained at the station in favour of the loss of proficient reports like Ivan Little, Fearghal McKinney and Susie Millar are the ones who should have been axed given the chance (the wooden Paul Clark, the insufferable Frank Mitchell, the abhorrent Sharon O'Neill, and yes, the old dame himself, Julian Simmons). Less stories are being covered in bulletins, and those covered will tend to be Belfast-orientated; and the amount of filler has increased, I don't care about your sodding website, just tell me what is happening where I live, thank you.
I dispute that, given how many cutbacks UTV have made year in, year out among their staff and their own productions - yet their TV service *still* turns in a profit every year. I find their claim they can sustain a quality news service on their current income incredible and audacious. This is the station that axed series like UTV Life and regular editions of Insight and what did they replace them with - a two-hour phone-in quiz five years after it was fashionable to have one?!?
I feel gutted watching how bad UTV as a station has become in recent years, and I wonder how NI people don't realise the contemptuous, arrogant and patronising way Ulster Television is treating them.
That's why I wish to God their bids for the INFSs are rejected. I fear the same effect at UTV will be replicated in the North East, Borders and Wales if they are awarded either of the tenders they are applying for; even if there is little left for them to strip back further.
They can't put the NI licence out to tender without doing the same everywhere else, surely? Why single out the independent?
(Of course, I'd love ITV to be stripped of the North East licence but it'll never happen now).
And it has to be said that UTV is a bit of a white knight figure here, the sooner ITV loses the local news here the better, and I'd be delighted if UTV got it.
(Of course, I'd love ITV to be stripped of the North East licence but it'll never happen now).
And it has to be said that UTV is a bit of a white knight figure here, the sooner ITV loses the local news here the better, and I'd be delighted if UTV got it.
I stand against the status UTV claims that there is no need to put the Northern Ireland Channel 3 news service to contract, if the current pilots are a success and the plan is rolled out across the country, as they believe their news service remains viable. It smacks of arrogance and complacency; no broadcaster should believe they have the divine right to a broadcasting licence, especially in this day and age of increased media competition.
I have noticed a decline in the quality of local news output on UTV; their news agenda is crashing more towards didactic than informative, they have shed themselves of long-serving, trusted and experienced journalists for a bunch of unrefined, ingratiating young staff - with the emphasis on young, invariably blonde females who sound like they are reading to a two-year old child. Just watch any bulletin Sarah Clarke (née Dobson) or especially Rita Fitzgerald presents and try not to cringe in the first minute at how atrocious they are. They have taken on so many female reporters in the past year or so, Havelock House has become like a clone factory. (And I should note, BBC Newsline are guilty to a similar degree of this, but when I was home at Christmas, they seem to be redressing the balance in terms of recruiting new young male reporters.)
Those who have been retained at the station in favour of the loss of proficient reports like Ivan Little, Fearghal McKinney and Susie Millar are the ones who should have been axed given the chance (the wooden Paul Clark, the insufferable Frank Mitchell, the abhorrent Sharon O'Neill, and yes, the old dame himself, Julian Simmons). Less stories are being covered in bulletins, and those covered will tend to be Belfast-orientated; and the amount of filler has increased, I don't care about your sodding website, just tell me what is happening where I live, thank you.
I dispute that, given how many cutbacks UTV have made year in, year out among their staff and their own productions - yet their TV service *still* turns in a profit every year. I find their claim they can sustain a quality news service on their current income incredible and audacious. This is the station that axed series like UTV Life and regular editions of Insight and what did they replace them with - a two-hour phone-in quiz five years after it was fashionable to have one?!?
I feel gutted watching how bad UTV as a station has become in recent years, and I wonder how NI people don't realise the contemptuous, arrogant and patronising way Ulster Television is treating them.
That's why I wish to God their bids for the INFSs are rejected. I fear the same effect at UTV will be replicated in the North East, Borders and Wales if they are awarded either of the tenders they are applying for; even if there is little left for them to strip back further.
Last edited by Colm on 3 February 2010 3:37pm
:-(
A former member
Don't kid yourself about Borders going to south! STV want it and it could well get it well, as it provide Scottish side with enhance local service.
How would Cumbria news would look like is another question!
How would Cumbria news would look like is another question!