How to take on the BBC ... give us the real news
BBC TV news the other evening consisted of five items, each with a long discussion, comments and explanations. More than 15 minutes were spent on the nHs alone. at least five minutes was wasted repeating the headlines in the middle and at the end of the programme. every other channel reflects this way of presenting the news. Further irritation is caused by what is considered the headline. The oscars may be of consuming interest to people in the media, but for most people a mistake at a selfcongratulatory gathering of actors is something that warrants about half a minute at the end of the programme. I watch euronews if I want to know what’s happening in europe and the rest of the world. There’s more news in five minutes on this channel than in half an hour on the BBC. If ITV wants to pull in the audiences from the BBC it should have a similar approach to the news. It could be from syndicated sources; they don’t need to send 20 people to the U.s., Beirut or wherever. If it’s felt that an item of news requires indepth discussion, this should be in a separate programme, possibly immediately following the news.
JOHN WEST, Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. WHILE bemoaning ITV’s flop topical comedy series The Nightly Show, it’s a mistake to worry too much about its half-hour displacement of the ITV news bulletin to 10.30pm. Far from tightening BBC dominance of the news agenda or reducing media plurality or democracy, the staggered start times of the BBC’s News At Ten and ITV News are likelier to expand the audience. It’s already perfectly possible to watch both channels (and others) via myriad recording/streaming devices, or by simply tuning into one of the catch-up services, such as ITV +1, which goes out with an hour delay. Removing the scheduling clash has made it easier for viewers to watch both. Disappointingly lame and underperforming though The Nightly Show is so far, its contains topical material, albeit presented in a satirical way.
FRANCIS HARVEY, Bristol. InsTeaD of having a new presenter every week on The nightly show, ITV should give the job permanently to Keira and call it The Keira Knightley show. ratings would soar.
DANNY DARCY, Reading, Berks.