The ident of Newsround is simple, it is just an ‘n’ and an ‘r’ together; the font used is informal and the colours used are not serious. The graphics that Newsround use are modern and bright. The programme is welcomed by Newsround’s familiar opening section with the ‘n’ and ‘r’ logo which is purple and green, also the background is a calm blue colour. When the news is read there is a purple box underneath the presenter that contains subtitles of the same topic that the presenter is discussing. The subtitles are not the exact words that are spoken but are a general summary. In addition I have noticed the subtitles have arrows beside them, this makes children want to follow the arrow and read more. The opening ident is accompanied by a beat of music that is very unique and when played it is easily identified to be the Newsround theme tune. The tune is simple and not very serious or complex but it does give the programme a sense of professionalism. When the beginning ident is over the presenter welcomes the audience. The theme tune, however, finishes off from the beginning ident and continues at a different but steady beat throughout the programme, until the end when the beat leads on the end tune of the programme. The ending ident is the same as the beginning ident. I think that when the beat is played throughout the programme it gives the news more pace. I have also noticed that each occasion that the news topic is changed there is a change in beat and makes it clear to the audience that the subject has altered.
The impact of the ident, at the start of the programme, is not as serious as other news programmes that have different target audiences. The target audience of Newsround is made clear. I would expect news from the UK and other news that is occurring around the world, as children are interested in what is happing around the world.
As Newsround target audience are children the headlines are different in comparison to other news programmes such as London Tonight. The headlines chosen in Newsround are more to do with children and that concern them. It also contains sport which is normally discussed at the end. Newsround discusses both hard and soft stories. The show usually starts with the hard stories showing the negativity of the story to begin with, then the presenter talks about the positive side of the story. For example: ‘bird flu has now been discovered to have affected France’- this is the negative part of the story, the presenter then talks about the positive side- ‘Don’t worry bird flu is very difficult to catch and has only affect people that work closely with birds’. The next topic that is discussed is usually closeness to home, as children would like to know about what is happing in the country. Sometimes a survey displayed from the results of children around the UK, it is sometimes related to children. Recency is a key factor, as children would like to know up-to-date facts; this is included with the scores of sport matches or even awards that have been presented to people. The graphics used are relevant and they are there to attract the audience. Pictures and video clips usually show the bright side of a story, for example: Bird flu- they show the bird being cured and reassuring the audience that there is no need to worry. I have also noticed that they are interested in the views of the audience and tell them to get in touch by email or visit the website; this is displayed on the purple box below the presenter where the subtitles are displayed. Newsround prioritizes its news so that the more negative news is discussed earlier and the positive news near the end of the programme so that they leave the audience with good thoughts.
I think that when children watch the programme there needs are meet, as the topics which they are most interested in are discussed.
Newsround, unlike other news programmes, has seven different presenters one for everyday. The names of the presenters are- Ellie, Lizo, Laura, Thalia, Lizzie, Adam and Rachel. One thing that they all have in common is there young age. Children like to talk with other young people and not elder people as they consider them to be old fashioned. There are five girls and two boys; they all were modern style and fashionable clothing, they also have there hair presented in a young way, for example- Adam has had his hair gelled. I think that the presenter are chosen to appear like this as children will think that they are ‘cool’ and so watch the show. The way that they talk to the audience is less formal than other news programmes; also the language used is less difficult and easier to understand.
The set is bright with blue and purple; there is also a chair which is round and modern looking. When the presenters speak they do not sit down, also when talking there is the Newsround logo next to there head. I think this is because if there was nothing there it would look empty. The logo of Newsround is suited with the set design as the logo is purple and so is the set colour. The chair is barely used unless there is a guest, and the presenter will usually talk to the guest asking him/her questions. On another day when I was observing Newsround I noticed that the presenter was sitting, she had a laptop next to her which was not used. I think that the purpose of the laptop was to show that the programme had new technology and it may also be to attract young viewers as children and interested in new electrical items.
The camera work is very simple. It is normally taken from other archives- when they were discussing the winter Olympics they took footage from another archive. However when the topic is quite trivial, and there is no footage on it, then they send there own team to check it out. The camera is still when the presenter speaks and does not change position. When there are video clips of children in gangs or smoking the faces are blurred out so that it is not clear to identify them. The blur could also be there because then it might make the children think that they might be in that position one day.
Newsround is definitely less formal then other news programmes, this is because Newsround’s target audience are children, while other news programmes are aimed at adults. Newsround is very effect at attracting its target audience; it tries to understand what children like and tries to cater for there needs. The programme discusses what children are interested in and encourages different cultures and talks about other religious festivals. Newsround likes to tell children about what is happing around the world and how other children the same age as them suffer, so that children understand how lucky they are. I think that Newsround is an excellent news programme for children as it caters for there news very well. Newsround likes to include children in there news and they think to also include the opinions of the children.
