News at when?
- 11 Apr 07, 09:30 AM
Bong! . Bong! ITV says "it's got no plans". Bong! "No plans..." is what politicians say when something's leaked too early...
You'll find it hard to find anyone in broadcasting - and not just on the news side - who doesn't now believe that ITV was mad to kill off News at Ten. They also, you may recall, killed off the ITN branding. The 大象传媒 could scarcely believe its luck, having been outgunned by its smaller rival for years.
Now ITV's new boss - until recently 大象传媒's old one - is said to want to bring back the old warhorse of TV news. A note of caution from one who, like Michael Grade, has worked for both sides. There is a big big difference between regretting the passing of News at Ten and talking about bringing it back.
There's an even bigger difference between talking about it and doing it.
I've no doubt that Michael Grade's talked about it - he's committed to news and it's just the sort of big gesture he'd love to make. Greg Dyke - who dreamed of taking over ITV after being ousted from the 大象传媒 - talked in somewhat colourful language about what he'd do to the 大象传媒's Ten O'Clock News given half the chance. Equally, I've no doubt that the kings of TV channels - the schedulers and the market researchers - will tell Grade why it can't be done. What about those long dramas, those live footie games, the threat that Channel 4 will put Big Brother 26 up against News at Ten?
And what's my view now I work for the other side? Bring it on. Competition is as good for journalism as it is for so much else.
P.S. A thought provoking piece about how to improve the blog-alogue by Jonathan Freedland . I agree with his concerns, and his hopes that a solution can be found to reduce the anonymous testosterone-driven insults that too often spoil what could be a great place for debate.
