Newsround refresh
It's a day of change here at . After months of preparation, our TV programmes have had a bit of a refresh. We've got a new studio look, new titles and a new theme tune.
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Actually, the last bit is not strictly true. Those of you who grew up watching John Craven's Newsround may think it sounds a bit familiar...if you can cast your minds back far enough.
Our composer Chris Banks has rearranged and remixed it so that it doesn't sound too retro for our target audience of six- to 12-year-olds. So the bongos are out but I think we've managed to retain some of the same sense of urgency that managed to grab my attention when I was a child. That was one of our main aims when we decided to make changes.
Newsround is still the only daily news service for children in the UK but that doesn't mean we are guaranteed an audience. Children have so many more media sources to choose from these days that it's vital for us to move with the times.
It's clearly not just about new titles and music; we need to focus on finding stories that are relevant to children's lives and we need to cover them in an engaging way. We're going to ask our audience for feedback later this evening. I'll let you know how we get on...
UPDATE, 01 OCT 08, 05:00 PM: As promised - the verdict on our new look is in from our very discerning audience and it's about 80% positive.
Iona, 12 from Scotland says it's "awesome and amazing". Conrad from Buckinghamshire is 14 and describes it as "very futuristic". Eleven-year-old Eve from Stockport is less keen though. She's thinks our refresh is "mindless self-indulgence" - which is a bit harsh!
My favourite comment comes from 10-year-old Mohammed from Birmingham who says: "Well, it's obvious that it's not brilliant...I'm lying - it's brilliastic!" You can read more .
SportsBod - the new music is a remix of the Johnny One Note intro - the outro in Craven's days came from the 91Èȱ¬'s Radiophonic workshop and yes we've brought it back too. You'll have to watch one of our shows all the way through to hear it though!
Comment number 1.
At 29th Sep 2008, Ed Lyons wrote:Video isn't working here...
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Comment number 2.
At 29th Sep 2008, dennisjunior1 wrote:Congrats to Newsround!
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Comment number 3.
At 29th Sep 2008, dennisjunior1 wrote:But as you said, that children have others sources for the information, it would be sad that your service is not what most children want.
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Comment number 4.
At 29th Sep 2008, Briantist wrote:Great remix!
For those wanting a remix of the "bongs" bit of the classic Newsround theme, Orbital did a rather good one called "Spare Part Express" on the "Middle of Nowhere" album.
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Comment number 5.
At 29th Sep 2008, Joe Halliday wrote:You know, it takes a couple of watches to get used to these, but once you do, it's really good. Great refresh, and glad you kept that good looking logo.
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Comment number 6.
At 1st Oct 2008, SportsBod wrote:As a child that grew up with John Craven telling me about the world, the nod and wink to the old tune in this refresh takes a bit of getting use to!
That's the opening theme remixed - now how about updating the original 'Johnny One-Note' music to close of the show ;o)
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Comment number 7.
At 2nd Oct 2008, peejkerton wrote:I think eleven year old Eve, isn't eleven, but middle age and probably a daily mail reader!!
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Comment number 8.
At 2nd Oct 2008, dennisjunior1 wrote:REVISED TO MY EARLIER COMMENTS:
I am glad, that it was a great success....
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Comment number 9.
At 19th Oct 2008, Bloofs wrote:The bongos were the best bit, man.
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Comment number 10.
At 18th Aug 2009, 100-suze wrote:Newsround is great, I loved it as a kid, the bongos are great too!
Suze
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