TT
ttt
The Christmas idents will probably be the same ones used since the current ITV logo was introduced. Applying the new UTV logo to those will be just as simple as it was for the normal idents.
Ease of implementation isn't the point though. It would be easy to implement announcements during the day, ECPs, more than four recycled idents and so on. That these don't exist is the result of a conscious choice.
PC
It feels increasingly like a slow switch to ITV.
Step 1: Get the announcers off screen, kill off any major extra programming and introduce idents that look very similar to their ITV counterparts.
Step 2: Introduce a weekly political programme to shut any politicians who may otherwise object up.
Step 3: Assess the reaction, no doubt discover that people aren't too bothered because Coronation Street is still on and UTV weren't doing that many local shows anyway.
Step 4: Announce you're going to switch the name to ITV. At which point most will go "Why not, UTV don't produce anything anyway".
As part of the endgame of one ITV, Northern Ireland won't matter too much in the eyes of those on the south bank. Very small population, small advertising base, it fits on as an extra bolt to the offering they have for advertisers. At the same time, ITV will want to ensure any adverse reaction is minimal, hence what now appears to be a token nod to the nation.
Step 1: Get the announcers off screen, kill off any major extra programming and introduce idents that look very similar to their ITV counterparts.
Step 2: Introduce a weekly political programme to shut any politicians who may otherwise object up.
Step 3: Assess the reaction, no doubt discover that people aren't too bothered because Coronation Street is still on and UTV weren't doing that many local shows anyway.
Step 4: Announce you're going to switch the name to ITV. At which point most will go "Why not, UTV don't produce anything anyway".
As part of the endgame of one ITV, Northern Ireland won't matter too much in the eyes of those on the south bank. Very small population, small advertising base, it fits on as an extra bolt to the offering they have for advertisers. At the same time, ITV will want to ensure any adverse reaction is minimal, hence what now appears to be a token nod to the nation.
TT
ttt
I have noticed that, after the initial couple of days they're no longer promoting local programming. This would be a crucial step in causing such shows to fade away. Even I didn't think they'd move that quickly.
Gillian's voice back on tonight (edit a very muffled Julian at 7.30)
Gillian's voice back on tonight (edit a very muffled Julian at 7.30)
Last edited by ttt on 20 October 2016 7:38pm
RO
You say you didn't think they'd move that quickly. This may well have been planned for a while, and implemented at the rebrand.
TT
ttt
You say you didn't think they'd move that quickly. This may well have been planned for a while, and implemented at the rebrand.
Well obviously that's the case - and further strengthens my view that ITV care not one jot for local output.
RO
This also leads me to ask, how tempted will local companies be prepared to advertise on UTV in the near future?
PC
I don't imagine it'd make that much difference. Certainly not enough for ITV to have a massive concern about it all.
If your entire broadcast area is Northern Ireland then you've got more time to concentrate on smoozing local advertisers with business awards and paying special attention to them. Once you get to the economies of scale, however, you'll probably lose very few local advertisers but save a fortune on paying salaries as you've got rid of duplication.
In terms of advertising local programming - that doesn't remotely surprise me. Aside from the fact ITV genuinely probably reckons it should spend those slots pushing shows which are going to get bigger viewing figures, it all adds to the "ITV in all but name" feeling. UTV (prior to ITV) had already taken them down that road by getting rid of all but news and a few local programmes to fulfil their regional quota, ITV will now bury them before eventually dropping them.
The only hope I can give for local programming in Northern Ireland is that, by the sound of things, ITV Wales actually doesn't do too bad a job providing Welsh programming (in comparison to the initial generic era anyway). I imagine Scotland/NI/Wales would be likely to remain special cases for a while yet.
This also leads me to ask, how tempted will local companies be prepared to advertise on UTV in the near future?
I don't imagine it'd make that much difference. Certainly not enough for ITV to have a massive concern about it all.
If your entire broadcast area is Northern Ireland then you've got more time to concentrate on smoozing local advertisers with business awards and paying special attention to them. Once you get to the economies of scale, however, you'll probably lose very few local advertisers but save a fortune on paying salaries as you've got rid of duplication.
In terms of advertising local programming - that doesn't remotely surprise me. Aside from the fact ITV genuinely probably reckons it should spend those slots pushing shows which are going to get bigger viewing figures, it all adds to the "ITV in all but name" feeling. UTV (prior to ITV) had already taken them down that road by getting rid of all but news and a few local programmes to fulfil their regional quota, ITV will now bury them before eventually dropping them.
The only hope I can give for local programming in Northern Ireland is that, by the sound of things, ITV Wales actually doesn't do too bad a job providing Welsh programming (in comparison to the initial generic era anyway). I imagine Scotland/NI/Wales would be likely to remain special cases for a while yet.
WH
And, as far as ITV Wales is concerned, regional programmes are often advertised in prime slots such as during Coronation Street and X Factor.
Whataday
Founding member
The only hope I can give for local programming in Northern Ireland is that, by the sound of things, ITV Wales actually doesn't do too bad a job providing Welsh programming (in comparison to the initial generic era anyway).
And, as far as ITV Wales is concerned, regional programmes are often advertised in prime slots such as during Coronation Street and X Factor.
ST
Julian's announcement don't seem to have the energy and enthusiasm they did previously as live.
TT
ttt
Julian's announcement don't seem to have the energy and enthusiasm they did previously as live.
He'll be taking the coin for the time being.
PC
My hope would be that this is very much a settling-in period for ITV - I suspect they will take time to get their Northern Ireland franchise looking as they want it before fully rebranding it as ITV. Beyond that, I would hope they would do as Whataday suggests they do in Wales with NI shows. ITV seems to have come a long way from the legendary ITV1 Wales ident with a bulldog wearing an England flag.
It's hard to argue that latter-day UTV before the buy-out will actually be that different to what goes out on screen under ITV, and increasingly I'm struggling to argue there would be too much difference if they took out STV as well.
It is a huge shame both in terms of representing the whole UK rather than having a London-centric viewpoint, and in terms of opportunities for people to work in different parts of the UK, that this is the case. But being realistic, the fragmentation of the audience - both in terms of increased choice in TV and the internet - has made this inevitable. And given the choice I wouldn't flip back to the old days, so it is what it is.
It's hard to argue that latter-day UTV before the buy-out will actually be that different to what goes out on screen under ITV, and increasingly I'm struggling to argue there would be too much difference if they took out STV as well.
It is a huge shame both in terms of representing the whole UK rather than having a London-centric viewpoint, and in terms of opportunities for people to work in different parts of the UK, that this is the case. But being realistic, the fragmentation of the audience - both in terms of increased choice in TV and the internet - has made this inevitable. And given the choice I wouldn't flip back to the old days, so it is what it is.