RTÉ Newsroom revamp

flogen

Was reading in the "Irish" Mail on Sunday yesterday that RTÉ are spending €5m on a newsroom revamp that will make it all high-tech.

The article was looking at it from the "what a waste of money" point of view which is fair enough - what it didn't mention was the fact that RTÉ only got a new newsroom (and new graphics etc.) in the past year, didn't it?

Seems a bit soon to be completely overhauling the whole thing; unless they're planning some new services where a bigger, more high-tech newsroom might be necessary.

Widescreen

flogen wrote: »

Was reading in the "Irish" Mail on Sunday yesterday that RTÉ are spending €5m on a newsroom revamp that will make it all high-tech.

The article was looking at it from the "what a waste of money" point of view which is fair enough - what it didn't mention was the fact that RTÉ only got a new newsroom (and new graphics etc.) in the past year, didn't it?

Seems a bit soon to be completely overhauling the whole thing; unless they're planning some new services where a bigger, more high-tech newsroom might be necessary.

Anything that improves the service to the viewer is positive in my book. Well done RTE.

copacetic

flogen wrote: »

what it didn't mention was the fact that RTÉ only got a new newsroom (and new graphics etc.) in the past year, didn't it?

Seems a bit soon to be completely overhauling the whole thing; unless they're planning some new services where a bigger, more high-tech newsroom might be necessary.

prob didn't mention it because it isn't true?

cast_iron

The cost was defended by RTE stating it was coming out of their "capital budget", therefore not costing anything "extra". Besides the fact that that doesn't make much sense, €5,000,000 does seem a touch expensive. Time will tell if it's worth it...

copacetic

where did the mail get that figure from? Other papers reported no costs were available, sounds like the mail just made it up.

More Music

Clarifaction needed here, is the €5m being spent in the newsroom or the TV news studio? There is the world of difference between them.

The newsroom is the large area where all the journalists/reporters sit to research and compile the news for TV, radio and web.

The TV news studio is where the newsreader sits to present the news. The money was spent on the studio a few years ago on new sets and graphics etc.

The studio is around the size of 2 large living rooms whereas the newsroom is like a factory floor.

DMC

tbh, its a silly season story. Its splashed on their front page between Christmas and New Year.

I did read that their news room was in need of a revamp, but Studio 3 has always looked tiny.

copacetic

More Music wrote: »

Clarifaction needed here, is the €5m being spent in the newsroom or the TV news studio? There is the world of difference between them.

The newsroom is the large area where all the journalists/reporters sit to research and compile the news for TV, radio and web.

The TV news studio is where the newsreader sits to present the news. The money was spent on the studio a few years ago on new sets and graphics etc.

The studio is around the size of 2 large living rooms whereas the newsroom is like a factory floor.

It's the studio that they mean, but it must be 6 or 7 years since they moved to the current look?

DMC

Since August 2006
Every 2.5 to 3 years appears to the rotation in new sets.

But if they are integrating the news studio with the newsroom, it is more than they have ever done in the past.

copacetic

DMC wrote: »

Since August 2006
Every 2.5 to 3 years appears to the rotation in new sets.

But if they are integrating the news studio with the newsroom, it is more than they have ever done in the past.

hmmm, that was more of a minor facelift though?

DMC

The last one was a major refit of Studio 3 to get widescreen kit in, as well as in the gallery.

I think the biggest achievement last time was that Studio 3 could fit into a 16:9 frame

flogen

Not sure where the Mail got its figure from and I'm not really bothered on that either - was just wondering about the time since the last overhaul.

Can't believe it's 2 years since that, though... seems like far shorter a time since the new RTÉ News look was brought in.

the Mail article was thin on detail so I can't say if I welcome it or not - I certainly wouldn't have a knee-jerk "spending money is bad" reaction to it.

scath

Have to say am in favour of the changes discussed in later part of the article (page 4 of MoS) ie panoramic wide arc camera span, 7ft 9inches from the studio floor, 75% studio size increase that will 'give an overview of the newsroom's team of journalists and allow presenters to deliver the news standing up or walking around' and a 'backwall which will allow images to be projected' in.

To my own opinion, the RTÉ News studio always seemed small and pokey and while the quality of news was always quite good from the local point of view but not extensive enough in world news coverage (costs always limiting this in fairness) Irish News always seemed to be the poorer relation to the British News channels.

The reality is that TV and News these days is as much about environment/image as it is about quality. This maybe was not as important in the 90s but has become more so as people are more used to graphical colourful menus ie PC/Iphone, mobile etc...

I believe that this revamp has an eye to Irish DTT which unlike cable and satellite has the effect of bringing the Irish broadcasters into the digital multichannel era. If this is the reason, which I suspect it is, then they should probably say so, and well why shouldn't Irish news look as good as Sky News...

Same thing went for Nightly News with Vincent Browne, move from chairs to the Desk. I mean quality didn't change, but I mean props do have that subconscious thing where you just for some reason, feel something is more authoritative when it looks bigger. I mean when they moved to the desk more contributors were added. I don't really like the virtual studios of TV3. Fair enough make the walls virtual but for got sake don't overdo it like the ground virtual aswell, that's going overboard.


I expect we'll also see an increase in Irish News on Sky News Ireland when Irish DTT kicks off. Sky News Ireland was a little daft 2 years or so ago from the audience potential point of view to launch Sky News Ireland to be successful but gave it good experience. I mean the were missing 20% of the population they could never reach. News requires a multi-platform environment to grow the viewership figures to sustainable levels.

Irish DTT however has the potential to bring in 20% of the population into the fold and thus National coverage via DTT. So news will in effect become more competitive for RTÉ/TV3 so that News channels while expensive enterprises are an imperative from advertising revenue point of view and maintenance of viewer loyality.

RTÉ have RTÉ News Now news channel online so I would expect that the studio has this in mind, just is not been said for some reason. TV3 had and probably still have a similar plan for TV3 Today News Channel

Typical of UK owned Newspaper to have a go at the National Broadcaster...no problem on other pages but on Front page is cynical indeed.

More Music

So it looks like they are building a Sky News esque set with newsroom staff in the background. Fair play, it will create a bit of employment in design, construction and new idents etc. Capital investment is not a waste of money. That said we should get value for money.

TV3's Vincent Brown virtual set is nasty. They should load up a space ship preset some night for a laugh!

RTE news is the authoritative news in Ireland. Now give them the space and set to compliment it.

Koloman

"RTE news is the authoritative news in Ireland" you say?
Even if it is populated by left-leaning liberals with an over fascination on Northern Ireland? I welcome any improvement in the news coverage but I wish they would have a more balanced approach on news. Most people in Ireland would consider themselves conservative with a small c on issues but watching RTE you would think Ireland was inhabited by liberal fanatics and Sinn Fein loving types. When RTE addresses these issues then RTE will be the authority for news in Ireland!

Nolanger

Have to love RTE! - not one bit shy in explaining the €5 million is need to copy Sky News.

Elmo

Koloman wrote: »

"RTE news is the authoritative news in Ireland" you say?
Even if it is populated by left-leaning liberals with an over fascination on Northern Ireland? I welcome any improvement in the news coverage but I wish they would have a more balanced approach on news. Most people in Ireland would consider themselves conservative with a small c on issues but watching RTE you would think Ireland was inhabited by liberal fanatics and Sinn Fein loving types. When RTE addresses these issues then RTE will be the authority for news in Ireland!

The funny thing about this statement is I view RTÉ as generally west-British with conservative views. I suppose we can call that balance. RTÉ should report on events in Northern Ireland not just political ones.

I view myself as a Centrist. I don't like going around thinking very one is a conservative TBH.

I am surprised that Flogen would quote "The Daily Mail" a poor excuse for a newspaper who's only remit seems to be to spread ****.

The set seems like it is there for the past 5 years because it is so ugly.

Koloman

"RTÉ should report on events in Northern Ireland not just political ones."
WHY?? Most people I know mentally switch off when anything on NI is mentioned. NI gets more coverage than it needs or deserves, after all if you look at the UK news channels you do not see NI mentioned at all really these days.

flogen

Elmo wrote: »

I am surprised that Flogen would quote "The Daily Mail" a poor excuse for a newspaper who's only remit seems to be to spread ****.

That's an odd thing to say in this case. The Mail, for all its faults (and they're numerous) appears to have gotten the basic story right in this case. I don't see why it shouldn't be used as a reference here.

Elmo

Koloman wrote: »

"RTÉ should report on events in Northern Ireland not just political ones."
WHY?? Most people I know mentally switch off when anything on NI is mentioned. NI gets more coverage than it needs or deserves, after all if you look at the UK news channels you do not see NI mentioned at all really these days.

And they also rarely talk about Wales or Scotland but then that is an issue that the English channels have.

We don't have to copy the English channels all of the time. Also I don't switch of when they talk about NI, I find it as interesting as the North West, South East and other regional news reports. And also it is good to know how are closest neighbours are getting on.

Elmo

flogen wrote: »

What an odd thing to say.

Perhaps I have more respect for you! or at least I had <<< Sarcastic.

Anytime I read that paper I just seem to want to tell nosy people some gossip and rarely has any factual merit. IMO.

The Mail, for all its faults (and they're numerous) appears to have gotten the basic story right in this case. I don't see why it shouldn't be used as a reference here.

But they still don't put their Irish content on the web, I don't believe anything until it is on the web

None of the other papers ran with the 5million. Ok! so the Herald ran with it too http://www.herald.ie/national-news/rtes-skystyle-newsroom-will-shatter-our-illusions-1587918.html

Also I assume that RTÉ have a team of set designers, and they could all sit around and never design anything and get paid for it or perhaps it makes financial sense. It becomes part of the cost of the everyday running of a Television station.

They could always just sit at their desks reading the news, or just put up a web came up in the Drive time studios.

flogen

Elmo wrote: »

Perhaps I have more respect for you! or at least I had <<< Sarcastic.

Anytime I read that paper I just seem to want to tell nosy people some gossip and rarely has any factual merit. IMO.

There's no doubt that it's a rag.

But they still don't put their Irish content on the web, I don't believe anything until it is on the web

None of the other papers ran with the 5million. Ok! so the Herald ran with it too http://www.herald.ie/national-news/rtes-skystyle-newsroom-will-shatter-our-illusions-1587918.html

Also I assume that RTÉ have a team of set designers, and they could all sit around and never design anything and get paid for it or perhaps it makes financial sense. It becomes part of the cost of the everyday running of a Television station.

They could always just sit at their desks reading the news, or just put up a web came up in the Drive time studios.

Well I can't be sure if they got the figure right but they did get the basic story (about a newsroom revamp) right and it was the first I read of it.

I couldn't care less what the Mail thinks about the rights or wrongs of it - the first thing I thought of was the minimal time between revamps (although I was wrong on that as it turns out).

Elmo

flogen wrote: »

I couldn't care less what the Mail thinks about the rights or wrongs of it - the first thing I thought of was the minimal time between revamps (although I was wrong on that as it turns out).

I think RTE got it really wrong with the last revamp. Previously it might have been just the graphics or just the news studio, but they always seemed to keep to the same colours. The current design is dreadful, while the opening sequence and music are nice the colours are way off.

If you look at the other set they have changed but over time, their is very little difference between BBC News 2000 and BBC News 2008 yet look at the difference with RTEs.

rlogue

Koloman wrote: »

"RTE news is the authoritative news in Ireland" you say?
Even if it is populated by left-leaning liberals with an over fascination on Northern Ireland? I welcome any improvement in the news coverage but I wish they would have a more balanced approach on news. Most people in Ireland would consider themselves conservative with a small c on issues but watching RTE you would think Ireland was inhabited by liberal fanatics and Sinn Fein loving types. When RTE addresses these issues then RTE will be the authority for news in Ireland!

Thanks for your contribution. Meanwhile I shall offer up your sufferings to the holy souls. :P

Koloman

rlogue wrote: »

Thanks for your contribution. Meanwhile I shall offer up your sufferings to the holy souls. :P

You only say that because you know I am right!

Koloman

Elmo wrote: »

And they also rarely talk about Wales or Scotland but then that is an issue that the English channels have.

We don't have to copy the English channels all of the time. Also I don't switch of when they talk about NI, I find it as interesting as the North West, South East and other regional news reports. And also it is good to know how are closest neighbours are getting on.

NI is not a region of the Republic of Ireland. If it is to be included in the news then it should be in the international round-up. There is no harm copying the BBC as it is one of the finest broadcasters in the world and if RTE became more like them then that should be a good thing should it not?

DMC

Koloman wrote: »

NI is not a region of the Republic of Ireland. If it is to be included in the news then it should be in the international round-up. There is no harm copying the BBC as it is one of the finest broadcasters in the world and if RTE became more like them then that should be a good thing should it not?

So what you are saying is there is no need for foreign correspondents in any country? Get out of town.

You do realise, that would mean Charlie Bird will have to come home.

Elmo

Koloman wrote: »

NI is not a region of the Republic of Ireland. If it is to be included in the news then it should be in the international round-up. There is no harm copying the BBC as it is one of the finest broadcasters in the world and if RTE became more like them then that should be a good thing should it not?

Northern Ireland is our closest Neighbour and under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement 45% of their population are allowed to continue to wish to be part of the Republic. Northern Ireland is also a region of the Island of Ireland. And for those reasons it is important for RTE to connect to that audience that hold Irish Passports and are Irish Citizens.

The BBC are actually being critisised in the UK for not including many major news stories from the "Nations". Their over emphasis of English news rather then Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish news in their National News Broadcasts.

There is no problem with copying the BBC but I hope that RTE do not start to copy the BBCs "an over fascination" with English news or one region. And I am sure many people in other provances think that RTE News often neglects Connacht, Ulster and Munster in preferance for Leinster and even Dublin.

Now those are the facts. You may not like those facts about BBC and their Neglect of Northern Irish News in their National News Broadcasts.

It is important for us in the Republic to know of events across the boarder as those events actually effect us, and our relationship with Ulster Unionist needs to be positivly promoted.

I beleive RTE where right to run with the following news story.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1215/sewerynm.html

I beleive this news story should have been part of the Main Evening News on ITV, BBC and C4

Also under the Good Friday Agreement TG4 must be available in NI. As RTÉ produce Nuacht TG4 it is very important for that News service to provide NI News as well as ROI News, hence it makes sense from that perspective to provide NI news across all RTÉ news bulletins.

From an totally economic point of view RTÉ would possible like to gain a better share of the audience in the Northern, hence it is important to provide NI news to that audience. According to RTÉ and BARB, RTÉs coverage of the All Ireland Football Final was viewed by more viewers on RTÉ then on BBCNI in Northern Ireland.

In relation to Irish people living abroad they too may be interest in All Irish news rather then just specifically ROI News.

Koloman

Elmo wrote: »

Northern Ireland is our closest Neighbour and under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement 45% of their population are allowed to continue to wish to be part of the Republic. Northern Ireland is also a region of the Island of Ireland. And for those reasons it is important for RTE to connect to that audience that hold Irish Passports and are Irish Citizens.

The BBC are actually being critisised in the UK for not including many major news stories from the "Nations". Their over emphasis of English news rather then Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish news in their National News Broadcasts.

There is no problem with copying the BBC but I hope that RTE do not start to copy the BBCs "an over fascination" with English news or one region. And I am sure many people in other provances think that RTE News often neglects Connacht, Ulster and Munster in preferance for Leinster and even Dublin.

Now those are the facts. You may not like those facts about BBC and their Neglect of Northern Irish News in their National News Broadcasts.

It is important for us in the Republic to know of events across the boarder as those events actually effect us, and our relationship with Ulster Unionist needs to be positivly promoted.

I beleive RTE where right to run with the following news story.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/1215/sewerynm.html

I beleive this news story should have been part of the Main Evening News on ITV, BBC and C4

Also under the Good Friday Agreement TG4 must be available in NI. As RTÉ produce Nuacht TG4 it is very important for that News service to provide NI News as well as ROI News, hence it makes sense from that perspective to provide NI news across all RTÉ news bulletins.

From an totally economic point of view RTÉ would possible like to gain a better share of the audience in the Northern, hence it is important to provide NI news to that audience. According to RTÉ and BARB, RTÉs coverage of the All Ireland Football Final was viewed by more viewers on RTÉ then on BBCNI in Northern Ireland.

In relation to Irish people living abroad they too may be interest in All Irish news rather then just specifically ROI News.

Let me try to address some of your points:

There is no way that 45% of NI wish to be part of the ROI, that is a pipe dream. There is absolutely no way that NI will want to join us within the next couple of generations at least if ever! People have to realise that fact. There has been poll after poll that suggests that even in the so called "Nationalist Community" between a third and in some cases up to a half of the people wish to remain within the UK for the foreseeable future so we may be in for quite a wait!

You say the BBC is criticised for its overemphasis on English News? Is that not why Scotland, Wales and NI have their own regional programmes for? If anything Dublin and the Leinster region should receive more coverage given it's vast size compared to the rest of Ireland.

The ROI Government and it's people have bent over backwards for the Unionist people of NI in recent years with the removal of Articles 2 and 3, the consent principal and even investing some of our own money in NI over the last few years which at this stage looks even more ridiculous given we have not got two cents to rub together!

As tragic as that story was I would be no more interested in it if it had happened in London, Glasgow or Belfast. If it had happened in Dublin or Cork or Galway etc... then RTE would of been right to run it.

Do BBC NI or UTV provide News for the ROI under the Belfast Agreement? I do not think so, so why TG4 should provide news for the North is another question.

RTE should not be chasing ratings as it is a public service broadcaster and should have no need to chase the NI audience. That's what the BBC NI is for, no?

I await your reply with interest!

Koloman

rlogue wrote: »

Thanks for your contribution. Meanwhile I shall offer up your sufferings to the holy souls. :P

Are people with my kind of views no longer able to give an opinion on this forum now? I know you are joking but it tells me a lot about yourself that you think my opinions are wacky in any way. The left-wing liberals strike again!!

byte

This is supposed to be a discussion about RTÉ's revamp of their newsroom and/or studio.

Can we try keep it that way? Kthxbye.