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The way a network presents its news, both visually and editorially says a lot about the channel. For the sake of comparison lets look at how ITV, BBC, Sky and Channel 4 covered today’s Ash-attack.
I’ll avoid making comment on the various broadcasters editorial skills, but to summarise the look and feel of each news bulletin:
- The BBC is the straightest, clean lines, serious look.
- Channel 4 is the edgiest, feels a touch alternative.
- ITV is the glossiest, very shiny, little to CGI heavy.
- And Sky News is by far the least interesting.
For some historical perspective, check out my 2007 edition of this exact same post.
With the launch of ABC News 24 getting close, I look forward to seeing how the ABC takes on the task of branding a whole news channel. Hopefully nothing like Sky.

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British channel E4 have looked to Apple and its soon to be released iPad for inspiration and parody in this new promo.
Mocking Apple’s product videos this new spot jumps on board the iPad hype machine with their very own, if not slightly bulkier alternative, the ePad.

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Last month Channel 4 embraced the 3D television fad with a week of special programming, and some nifty on-air branding to go along with it.
Along with the 3D promos, a special 3D ident was also produced. Check out the rest of the Channel 4 idents here.

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Since 1993 Channel 4 has been offering viewers an alternative to the Queen’s Christmas message. With the likes of Ali G, Jamie Oliver and even Marge Simpson delivering a speech it’s generally been a rather tongue-in-cheek event.
This year however Channel 4 decided to court controversy with their decision to approach Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (who was so beautifully satirised by SNL here) to deliver the address.

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The Hits, a music channel in the UK relaunched itself this month as 4Music. The newly rebranded station joins the fold of sibling networks Channel 4, E4, More4 and Film4 in a multichannel line up that you could only dream of in Australia.
These two videos are promoting the relaunch which occurred on August 15th, with the first video a slow motion spot set to the track “Kiss with a Fist” by Florence and the Machine that’s refreshingly decent for a music channel.
- Cheers to Craig for the videos.

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David Mitchell, from That Mitchell and Webb Look recently narrated a Channel 4 series called TV is Dead? all about the “challenges the television industry is currently facing as a result of the digital revolution”.
One part of the series looked at the often over looked importance of television idents, something Australian television loves to dismiss, and something that this site is all about promoting. The clip should serve as an interesting introduction to the world of idents, and also offers a great peek into the UK television industry.
- Enormous thanks to Andy for the video.

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Last week Channel 4′s digital sibling More4 launched the Stanley Kubrick season, a ten day film festival of some of the celebrated directors work. This stunning promo was shot in one long take, and is a look behind the scences of Kubrick’s 1980 film The Shining, all from the perspective of the director himself.
The spot produced by Channel 4 Creative, was meticulously researched and was even shot using the directors favourite lens. Truly fitting for such a influential filmmaker.
British television seems to love the idea of programming “seasons”. More4 won an award for this promo used for their State of Russia season a few years back, and earlier this year BBC Four took its viewers on a trip into the Medieval mind.

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A few hours ago Channel 4 broadcast what The Guardian is calling Britain’s first ever live commercial during a break in the reality show Come Dine With Me. The three minute ad came live from the skies above Spain and featured a team of professional skydivers demonstrating Honda’s latest tagline “Difficult Is Worth Doing”.
The live nature of television is one of its biggest redeeming features, and while this commercial is certainly full of the novelty factor, its an example of the innovation that not only the advertising industry will have to adopt, but also the whole television sector in general.
For more advertising fun check out a new show that started this week on ABC1 called The Gruen Transfer, a very funny and interesting look into the industry. Or just check out some of my favourite ads, here and here.
- Thanks for the video Craig
Continue reading ‘Channel 4 goes live for a Honda advert.’

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The Simpson’s have made their idents debut! Just a few hours ago this Gracie Films (shhh) produced trail made its first run on Channel 4 in the UK.
As reported by the BBC, the ident is timed for the start of a new season on Channel 4, and of course the families upcoming feature length outing.
Check out all the C4 idents here, and The Killers own ident here.
This isn’t the first time The Simpson’s have collaborated with Channel 4 though, to download Marge’s alternative Christmas message from 2004, keep reading..
Continue reading ‘The Simpson’s very own Channel 4 ident.’

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While English does not have de jure status in Australia as our national language, in Wales its a very different story. Wales is officially bilingual which means by law English and Welsh have to be treated equally.
This pop-up book inspired promo for Welsh broadcaster S4/C explains how to get the most out of the channel in your language of choice. The production is excellent, and its made a very memorable clip out of something that could have just as easily been a very boring piece-to-camera.
Proud Creative have been the folks behind all the S4/C videos I’ve posted, and its been some of the best stuff I have seen from anywhere in the world since I started this site. The new brand they have built for S4/C is incredibly genuine, thoughtful and just constantly visually stunning.
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