Tag: itv

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ITV Videos: Openings

The Coronation of a new look Street.

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The British soap opera Coronation Street is one of the longest running television programmes in the world, and if its network promotions are to be believed its also “The Nation’s Street”, a sentiment I actually quite like.

Earlier this week Corrie began broadcasting in High Definition, and to mark the occasion they updated the opening sequence, bringing with it a depth, warmth and intimacy missing from the earlier incarnation.

Despite the fact I don’t watch any soaps I’m actually a huge fan of the format. The daily, long running nature of the programmes open up huge creative possibilities that can reflect the life of a nation, and really engage a wide audience.

And while these long running stalwarts of the genre have a place, I hope we see some new takes on the soap opera format appear on the scene as well.

Categories
Videos: Broadcast News

A day in the life of British news.

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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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ABC2 Videos: Idents

Connecting 2: The new look ABC2 idents.

Download the whole H264 bunch in one swoop here (81mb *.zip).

idents

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idents

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idents

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idents

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idents

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idents

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idents

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idents

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idents

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ABC2 got its best bit of PR to date on Friday when ABC TV formally became ABC1 and reminded, or alerted people for the first time that there was in fact a whole other channel available from the National Broadcaster.

Like everything the ABC does, the old look of ABC2 had its hits and misses, some of my favourites from the previous set of idents are here, but again they were far outweighed by all the ordinary ones.

Now though we have a whole new on-air look to dissect, and the first thing I thought when I saw these was… hey, its ITV4! Back in 2005 ITV4 used a similar split screen device to create visual puns, ABC2 on the other hand seem to be using the split screen to highlight various juxtapositions, city-nature, young-old, casual-professional etc. Which is fine, although it completely falls apart about half way through and I find myself wondering what two girls drinking a milkshake is meant to represent..

Comments in a previous post have already pointed out the similarities that the first of these ABC2 idents above have to the video clip of “Concrete Boots” by After The Fall, check it out and see what you think. It’s a good song either way.

Then finally, to dislocate the entire series a little more they’ve introduced two other idents (below) that are based on “parkour“, the ‘art of displacement’ which again is a fine concept for a series of idents, but why only throw in two of them.

I guess what I’m saying is that I like consistency and a central theme to my idents, something that can be explored and developed, not just random images linked at times, but then not at others.

idents

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(The idents were produced by zspace, who also did the new look ABC1.)

Categories
ITV Videos: Broadcast News Videos: Openings

Live from behind the clockface of Big Ben.

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close - Twango

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ITV’s flagship news program News at Ten was resurrected last week for the second time since its inception in 1967. The shows original run ended in 1999 before being brought back again from 2001 to 2004.

The latest incarnation is fronted by the newly unretired Trevor McDonald and Sky News’ Julie Etchingham, and takes place in the “Theatre of News“, which to an outsider is somewhat bizarrely meant to be behind the clockface of Big Ben, and seems more suited to the secret lair of a Bond villain then to a news broadcast.

These videos come from the first nights broadcast and show the opening and closing of the broadcast, along with an incredibly smooth live cross to Antarctica, which just looks stunning considering the distance and the fact its live.

– Kudos to Craig for the first night videos.

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Channel Five ITV

Digitalism with Channel Five and ITV.

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In November last year Whitehaven, Cumbria became the first region in the United Kingdom to switch off its analogue televisions service. Even more sites are planning to switch this year, and by 2013 when the Channel Islands go digital its expected all of the UK will have ceased analogue transmissions.

All the channels are busily reminding its viewers to make the switch and above is Channel Five and ITV’s attempts to convert anyone left in the UK who hasn’t already ditched analogue.

For more UK digital switchover videos check out another one for Five with John Suchet, the Digit Al series and Penelope Keith on the benefits of Freeview. Australia has some similar spots promoting digital from the ABC and a cool animation from SBS.

Categories
ITV Videos: Idents

ITV1 wants you to have more sex.

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ITV1’s good-looking-but-confusing idents got a refresh recently with the addition of four new spots. This is just one of them; fountains. Check out the rest of ITV1’s idents here. When ITV isn’t broadcasting conceptually odd idents, or documentaries about sex, they’re running premium rate telephone competitions, which they’ve been apologising for after the jump.

Continue reading “ITV1 wants you to have more sex.”
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ITV Videos: TV

When ITV goes oops.

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ITV1 had an unfortunately long technical fault the other day at the beginning of their live broadcast of Hell’s Kitchen. Fortunately for me though its the perfect chance to show off what happens to a network when everything goes to hell. For over seven minutes the ITV technical fault caption graced viewers screens, along with an announcer apologising for the problems.

Besides the rather cool graphic used during the downtime, I wanted to mention that I’ve never seen something like this happen in Australia, I’m not saying we’ve never screwed up a live TV broadcast, but what happens when their is a technical fault? I’ve certainly never heard an announcer come on and apologise for it, is that a purely British oddity or do I just not watch enough television?

Thanks Andy for the video, and check out ITV1’s idents collection here.

Categories
ITV Videos: Openings

Opening Sequence Sunday: The Bill

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The Bill isn’t a show I’ve ever really watched, but at 3000 episodes theres obviously an audience for it. I believe the above video is the refreshed opening sequence, and while its no Six Feet Under, it certainly has a memorable tune I’ve been hearing most of my life.

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Videos: Broadcast News

Floodwatch 2007: A video essay in news coverage.

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There’s nothing quite like a natural disaster to compare news broadcasters, and with the flooding going on in the UK, and journalists standing knee deep in water all over the country, it seemed like a good time.

Above is the coverage from the BBC, Channel 4, Sky News and ITV.

– Thanks Craig for the videos.

Categories
ITV Videos: Broadcast News Videos: Openings

The Theatre of News meets Dead Ringers


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In the first video Dead Ringers pokes fun at all the standing-up-and-walking-around that goes on ITV’s Theatre of News, the second video is from the actual ITV News where just as much standing-up-and-walking-around goes on, although slightly less dancing.

I’m really surprised that none of Australia’s television networks have copied this approach to news yet, most of our commercial news is so trashy now anyway, it might as well have fancier sets and more camera swoops.

For more standing up mockery check out Melanie Bellamy and her standing news, or watch Jeremy Clarkson do his best impression of the Channel Five news.

More video from the real ITV lunchtime and evening news continue after the jump…

Continue reading “The Theatre of News meets Dead Ringers”