Hasta La Motion!

> Quicktime H.264
(141mb)
> iPod Compatible
(62mb)
> Watch in Flash
(41mb)

> Quicktime H.264
(82mb)
> iPod Compatible
(51mb)
> Watch in Flash
(35mb)

> Quicktime H.264
(117mb)
> iPod Compatible
(49mb)
> Watch in Flash
(34mb)

Breakfast television was invented in the United States, and continues to frustrate, entertain, inform and provide moving wallpaper to millions everyday.

Three network broadcasts dominate the genre, and all three are broadcast from New York City. The Today Show from NBC defined the genre in 1952, followed by Good Morning America from ABC in 1975 and the latest attempt from CBS in the form of the Early Show in 1999.

I’m still waiting for Aaron Sorkin to dramatize the world of morning television, but until then I guess we’ll have to keep tuning into the real thing.

> Quicktime H.264
(42mb)
> iPod Compatible
(17mb)
> Watch in Flash
(20mb)

> Quicktime H.264
(29mb)
> iPod Compatible
(9mb)
> Watch in Flash
(11mb)

> Quicktime H.264
(27mb)
> iPod Compatible
(10mb)
> Watch in Flash
(12mb)

> Quicktime H.264
(18mb)
> iPod Compatible
(8mb)
> Watch in Flash
(9mb)

The way a network presents its news, both visually and editorially says a lot about the channel. For the sake of comparison lets look at how ITV, BBC, Sky and Channel 4 covered today’s Ash-attack.

I’ll avoid making comment on the various broadcasters editorial skills, but to summarise the look and feel of each news bulletin:

– The BBC is the straightest, clean lines, serious look.
– Channel 4 is the edgiest, feels a touch alternative.
– ITV is the glossiest, very shiny, little to CGI heavy.
– And Sky News is by far the least interesting.

For some historical perspective, check out my 2007 edition of this exact same post.

With the launch of ABC News 24 getting close, I look forward to seeing how the ABC takes on the task of branding a whole news channel. Hopefully nothing like Sky.

> Quicktime H.264
(3mb)
> iPod Compatible
(2.6mb)
> Watch in Flash
(2.1mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.7mb)
> iPod Compatible
(2.2mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.7mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.1mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.2mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.6mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.6mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.3mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.1mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.7mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.4mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.1mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.8mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.5mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(1.9mb)
> iPod Compatible
(1.5mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.3mb progressive)

> Quicktime H.264
(2.5mb)
> iPod Compatible
(2mb)
> Watch in Flash
(1.7mb progressive)

An incredibly simple use of aerial footage, combined with the familiar beats of music that screams “you’re watching a news channel” create a surprisingly effective collection of idents for Al Jazeera English.

They express the kind of simple dignity that an international news channel broadcasting to over 100 million people should command, as opposed to say this.

– Big thanks to Sean for the videos.