Why do people hate UTV?

jmcbride

I've noticed a few times, but most recently in the Channel 4 thread currently running in the satellite forum, that some people really hate UTV, typically saying that they would prefer a more professional ITV region. I don't really understand this.

First off, let me say that I don't like ITV at all, and excluding Arsenal Champions League matches, can't remember the last time I watched ITV - possibly one or two episiodes of the short lived MIT series a couple of years ago, but that's about it.

Why do people seem to hate UTV, when there is virtually no difference in the programmes they show from any other ITV franchise? The only differences I can think of are adverts and news programmes, and I can't really believe that Granada Reports or Lodon Tonight would make for a massively more compelling watch than UTV Live.

Is it just me, or does this wholesale dissing of UTV seem a little illogical?

Mossy Monk

for a start they have more news in the evening

then they cut from network programming to show that chat show on Fridays

and there is that guy before the programmes aswell

BuffyBot

Being stuck with the blandness that is ITV 1 London, thank god for UTV. "ITV 1" is just a homogenised bland mess in the UK. At least UTV has a little character

Gonzo

Originally posted by Mossy Monk
for a start they have more news in the evening

then they cut from network programming to show that chat show on Fridays

and there is that guy before the programmes aswell

couldnt agree more, utv are very poor compared to the other itv regions, first of all they have their far inferior looking utv brand everywhere keeping it different from all other itv regions, they have more local news and local opt outs than any other region, many of utv's local programming is truly awfull and it often cuts off some itv programming and I really hate that fool that announces everything before the programmes, no-one in our house can stand him. For the brief period that the ITV regions were available on sky digital we used ITV1 London and it was far, far better in every way.

Go Figure!

I hate UTV because they show less Network programmes then any other ITV region, they have lousy presenters and a terrible presentation style. I watch London Tonight on the ITV News Channel and it is far superior to UTV Live. Also they make little or no contribution to the ITV Network in terms of programming yet they use other companies programmes to bolster their own profits while treating those companies in an appaling manner in return. If I could dump UTV for any of the other ITV regions I would do so in a flash.

Gonzo

yeah we watch London Tonight on the ITV News Channel and its alot better than UTV Live. Its perfectly possible for Utv to become a good channel tho, look at BBC Northern Ireland, the presenters there at alot better than their utv friends and the regional output is professional and the station is as good as any other BBC region.

Go Figure!

Yeah BBC Northern Ireland has improved enormously and they leave their UTV counterparts in the shade.

DMC

Some people think that UTV is a weak brand, but I personally think that ITV is a weaker brand than say a lot of ITV regional company names we had in the past, eg Thames, ATV, Yorkshire, HTV etc.

ITV Wales is bland.

G'wan UTV, ya little independent pup ya!

BrianD

Given that UTV want to be an all-Ireland media player and all the fuss they make about not being on Sky Digital, their approach to broadcasting is very parochial. One would have thought that they would be making more of an effort for the southern viewers - after all they are the only ITV franchise that has more viewers outside of their franchise area then within. I understand that they are in an unusal position in that they have to cater for their franchise population adequately or risk losing their licence.

mike65

I think its the haircuts and accents that are the main problem - and yer man before Corrie. blegh!

Mike.

jmcbride

For the brief period that the ITV regions were in the clear, I did hop around a few of the regional news programs, but it was a case of "oh my God! Fred Dineage/Mike Morris/whoever is still alive!?!", then moving on swiftly to somewhere else, so I can't comment on the differences between ITV regional news. I assumed that, since I prefer Newsline to just about every other BBC regional news, it would be a similar case with the ITV regions.

On the ident thing, I can only go by what I've seen on the TV Room , and to be honest, the stills of the idents that UTV have used since abandoning the network ITV versions look far, far classier.

As for presentation, I didn't realise that Julian(?) idiot is still being annoying before programmes. I can understand why that would put people off.

Though I don't watch ITV much, it doesn't mean that I always ignore their listings in the paper. So while I can understand that people might be annoyed by UTV slapping in their own programme on a Friday evening, isn't it the case that they're usually only replacing an old repeat of Frost, Morse, or one of their other interchangeable detective shows? When BBC 1 NI do the same, they usually end up bumping the current Have I Got News For You, which was really infuriating until the Beeb went FTA.

So with the exception of local presentation, I still don't see that much difference between regions.

Mike 1972

I know a guy who had his aerial changed to Border TV so he wouldnt have to be subjected to "big Jullian"

Personally though its rather pointless debating which of the ITV networks is best as the whole network is p***poor. Channel Five (or even Sky 1) these days have better programming. And you cant watch a film on any ITV region as they are cut to ribbons partly to protect oversensetive sections of the middle England public from "bad words" but mainly in order to fit into convenient (from the network controllers poing of view) time slots. The remainder of the networks output is largely comprised of moronic soaps (repeated until threadbare), idotic gameshows and celebrity cult chatshows

Back in the days of Thames TV ITV had the odd good programme but those days are long gone

PK - the king

I don't hate UTV! It's far better than TV3 anyday.

Although the one thing that drives me mad is the way UTV show a film and then cut it off halfway through for the 10.30 news. Drives me wild, it does :mad: :mad:

Mossy Monk

Originally posted by PK - the king
Although the one thing that drives me mad is the way UTV show a film and then cut it off halfway through for the 10.30 news. Drives me wild, it does :mad: :mad:

thats hardly UTV's fault seeing as the whole of the ITV network bows out for that

John R

I think that to denounce UTV because of 30 seconds a night of camp ulsterman babble is a bit harsh.

The regional opt-outs on UTV are much less grating than the BBC1 changes, they are forever bumping popular first-run programmes from primetime for NI rubbish and regularly ditch late night films altogether.

Granada/Carlton have turned ITV into complete crap, they have spent so much on pushing the "ITV" brand but completely ignored the content. None of the other regions have any real local identity now apart from UTV and Scottish.

SRB

The regional opt-outs on UTV are much less grating than the BBC1 changes, they are forever bumping popular first-run programmes from primetime for NI rubbish and regularly ditch late night films altogether.

I think you'll find "The NI rubbish" gets rather high viewing figures, that's why it's there... As for UTV not opting, well thats due to the fact they don't make many programmes !

BrianD

How much local programming do they make and how much if it goes out elsewhere on the ITV network?

Apple_A_Day

I think its the haircuts and accents that are the main problem - and yer man before Corrie. blegh!

Absolutely unbelievable that the heads in ITV think that he is even remotely funny or slightly indicative of the Ulster personality. I cringe every time I see him.

By the way quick competition question to win £5000 poinds !

What's Julians first name ?

Is it?

A: Julian
B: Jerry
C: Jack

The above is typical of their programming and is an insult to peoples intelligence.

I was shocked the other night when they showed no fewer than 3 episodes of Corry spaced out over 2 and a half hours. Ridiculous programming decision but obviously designed to give that rock of broadcasting that it Endemols Big Brother . . don't get me started on that now !!!

Have an Apple !!