Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

C4 drops desk as news war hots up

Paul McCann Media Editor
Thursday 10 December 1998 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE DAYS of the deskbound newsreader look numbered after Channel 4 unveiled a low, pink plinth for Jon Snow to sit beside in its new pounds 3m newsroom yesterday.

Following the example of Channel 5, which has a newsreader perched on her desk, and Newsnight, which dispensed with most of its desks earlier this year, Mr Snow will stand in front of a video wall, sit by his plinth or interview people on a new purple sofa.

He said yesterday that the new set would give his programme greater accessibility: "There is nothing between you and the viewer. It is direct communication."

The changes will be apparent on screen from 4 January. They mark a new phase in the life of the 16-year-old programme and extra investment of pounds 2m a year.

The channel is to have a new Saturday night bulletin at 6.30 and has invested in out-of-studio production equipment to take the programme to the regions and overseas. The programme is also to quadruple the number of investigative stories it does. Channel 4 News also intends to make more use of its new second-string presenters, Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Kirsty Lang.

But the most immediate change to the show is the new orange, green and aubergine studio set designed by Simon Jago, who designed Channel 5's multi-coloured news studio. Like the trendiest bars, it has a poured rubber floor, swatches of colour adorn the walls, and the plinth will give viewers their first glimpse of Jon Snow's legs.

"We have in the past been the trailblazer in television news," said Jim Grey, editor of Channel 4 News. "Now we are doing it all over again. This is the culmination of a year of thinking and is not a reaction to what others are doing." He denied that the sofa would give the show a breakfast-television feel. It will be used only for the more "discursive" interviews, he said.

Channel 4 News, which attracts about one million viewers every night, is facing increased competition. Channel 5's 5 News moved its time to 7pm earlier this year and ITV plans to move its flagship news to 6.30 early in the new year.

ITN, which produces Channel 4 News, had to pitch against Sky and independent production companies to retain the contract earlier this year. It had to promise more regional and investigative stories and a greater role for independent producers to secure the contract.

But every company bidding for the contract was told to keep Jon Snow as part of its plans.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in