When Sky News decided to introduce their current graphics to a somewhat mixed reaction almost a year ago now, I wasn’t too impressed. But, none-the-less, they have come to grow on me.
I do, however, have one big anxiety about it… The never-ending ‘BREAKING NEWS’ banner that scrolls ominously at the bottom of the screen in bold yellows and blacks.
I recognise instantly a massive similarity between this and CNN’s own ‘BREAKING NEWS’ banners, with the bumblebee style yellow and, in fact, all the rolling news stations have started to mimic this style.
But, back to the point, BBC News 24. They’ve started to do the same thing themselves with that annoying scrolling banner which is allegedly giving us breaking news. Lets get one thing straight… News does not break over three hours.
There may be one or two developments, but that most certainly does not warrant such an obtrusive banner. This should be reserved for national or international catastrophes; not a ship that is sinking somewhere near the Shetland islands.
Warning: A comedy quote that has been completely fabricated for effect follows:
“Don’t worry, folks. Those people who were rescued from the ship two hours ago; they’re still rescued. But the bloody ship, it’s sunk another centimetre! STOP PRESS!“
The constant stream of this ‘breaking’ news on my screen which is only there because, lets face it, the newsters and journos really have nothing else to tell us, wouldn’t even bother me that much. But it covers up the ticker! So I have to sit there and wait fifteen minutes until they read out the headlines… But surprise surprise! It’s all about that holed ship again.
At this point I have my own sinking feeling. I just want to cry! All I want to know is what else is going on in the world.
Trying to keep me watching just drives me to the Internet instead. Too bad Mrs. Beeb. Until you sort out that God-awful red ticker banner… I’m just not watching. I expect this from the likes of Sky News, but honestly… My PSB?!
