Newsround Analysis

Newsround.

Newsround is a BBC programme that airs on CBBC, where it brings news topics that interest the young audience of CBBC but also makes current affairs interesting and understandable.

From the beginning

[2.4] Newsround, 1973

Newsround began in 1972 as John Craven's Newsround, but then changed to Newsround just before his departure in 1989. [1] It initially was broadcast for just 2 days a week and the first season only lasted for 6 weeks, however, due to it's popularity, it returned, and by 1974 it was being broadcast 4 days a week. [2.1] By 1979, it was being broadcast all year round, where previously it would go off air in the Summer. Also in this year, Craven helped to launch the Blue Peter appeal to raise £100,000 to help Cambodia to recover from the Pol Pot regime. It reached this target within 24 hours, and the appeal went on to net £3 mil. [2.2] 

In 1991, Krishnan Guru-Murthy began presenting. He left in 1994 to present on Newsnight, The National Lottery and Channel 4 News. [2.3]
Between 1990- Current, Newsround has gone through a lot of rebranding to bring it into the current era and to match the speed of technology advancement within that time. It's kept similar colours but the newest version of the branding is cleaner and shares more likeness to News programmes aimed towards adults.

[3] Newsround, 2012

[4] Newsround, 2018

Narrative Codes

Set

[4] Newsround, 2018

The Newsround set is quite simple, with a purple sofa, blue background and large television that displays the logo. The set isn't distracting for the viewer, and the use of blue connotes calmness but also technology. The set has quite a futuristic look to it, much like how spaceships are presented on television, such as Doctor Who, a show aimed at a similar age group. This gives a sense of seriousness without it being boring to the younger audience.

Presenters

I have only seen Ricky Boleto present on Newsround but there are other presenters too- Ayshah Tull, Martin Dougan, Leah Boleto, Jenny Lawrence and Hayley Hassal. [5]
Ricky is young in appearance, as are the other presenters, and this helps the audience to connect with him easier- if he was an older man, the young audience wouldn't be able to relate with him as much.

Lighting

The lighting on the set is simple, but slightly more stylised than other news programmes. BBC have almost flat lighting, with shadows just under the jawline which shows the lighting is coming from overhead, and gives a slight halo effect on the hair.
On Newsround, there's a much clearer key light coming from the upper right, casting harder shadows on Ricky's neck and just under his eyes.
This makes the show look more energetic, as it makes Ricky's body movements more obvious when you can see his shadows moving.

Costume

Ricky is wearing a very relaxed outfit to present the news, in contrast to BBC News. This is to further connect with the viewer and to make him more relatable. The younger audience are more likely to listen to someone who dresses like they and their friends do, than someone who is dressed in smartwear, as though they are an authority.

Technical Codes

Shot Types

In the 28/10/2018 morning episode of Newsround, they've used just 1 shot of Ricky in the studio, with 5 packages cut between. Even the package shot types are very simplistic- varying between 2 to 3 different shots from wide to medium close up.
Keeping it simple helps the turn-around for the shows be much easier and quicker, but also keeps it simple so there aren't a lot of distracting shot changes or movements. The shots only change when it's necessary and to bring the viewer in and keep them engaged.

Editing

In Newsround they use their online resources to further illustrate a story, with an OOV to let the viewer know that they can learn more about the story on the website.
The editing for the episodes are very simple. They don't use very creative editing as it keeps the show simple and more understandable.
They use techniques such as OOVs (when the presenter is Out Of View but still speaking) which help to explain images or footage that is being shown, and allows for images-to-words so the viewer can see what the presenter is explaining.
They use graphics and animated transitions which help the show to flow. They are all styled similarly to the introduction animation sequence, as it is in line with the branding of the show.

Colour

The colours the show uses are a gradient between pink, purple and light blue. These can have different meanings depending on your interpretation, but I made a mind-map of what the colours mean to me. From this, we can get an idea of what they are trying to achieve as a brand, and what the viewer may subconsciously acknowledge from the branding that they see on the show.

Representational Codes

how the media presents people and the way events and issues are represented in the news from a national, regional and local perspective.

Packages

For an example, I'll be using Newsround's 28/10/2018 report on the Leicester City Football Club helicopter crash.

I'm using this example because of the stark differences between the Newsround report and the BBC News report.
Newsround warns at the beginning of the report that it may be upsetting to viewers as Ricky says "First, we're starting with some really difficult news," and then goes on to explain that the helicopter belonging to the owner of the club had crashed outside the football ground, when it had happened, and what the football players had tweeted about the event. He then says that the viewer can find more information on the website and explains that there is online advice for any of the viewers that may be upset by anything they see in the news. They show shots of police outside the stadium and a photo of the club owner.
In contrast, the BBC News report begins with graphic details of the crash- "it burst into flames just minutes after taking off". They show witness phone footage and shots of the flames from the crash just outside the stadium.
This is clearly dramatically different styles of reporting- this is solely due to the audience of the shows. Newsround would be unable to show footage of the fire and panic of witnesses, as this is highly likely to upset the younger audience. However, as BBC News are aimed at an older audience, they are able to show the more graphic footage, and it's expected that they would, as it's within the public interest.
BBC News still don't show very graphic content, as this would be disrespectful to the people who died.
Newsround don't mention how many people that die, they only mention the club owner and then focus on the flowers that have been left outside the stadium.

National, Regional or Local?

Newsround report on national news, and do not have regional or local shows. This is because although they have a large audience, they don't draw enough viewers to warrant a regional or local programme. They're also made up of a relatively small (compared to BBC News) team, so they would have to employ a lot more staff.

Studio Script

The words and tone of voice that Ricky uses are conversational rather than formal. This helps the viewer to feel relaxed, and also makes the content of the show more understandable. It's all about helping the audience understand and to still be entertained, and keeping it simple and more in the style of a conversation (such as asking questions) adds to this.

Audio Codes

Music/ Sound effects

Music is used during the introducing titles, and through each package. Each piece of music is non-distracting, and is only there to compliment the flow of the package.
In the 28/10/2018 episode of Newsround they use a lightning strike sound effect before a package explaining how lightning forms. sound effects aren't commonly used in Newsround but in this instance it adds to the package- it grabs the audience's attention before going into the package, and also accentuates what the package is about.

Monologue

Ricky explains the stories with PTCs and also OOVs. The pieces to camera help the viewer to get to know Ricky as a character, which then helps the viewer to connect with him even when they can't see him during OOVs. OOVs also help to illustrate a story, so viewers can listen to the facts and see the evidence.

References

1. The John Craven Years At: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4WQKZ9kvlXsBk1ynSBXYYyn/john-craven (Accessed on 27/10/2018)
2. 
   
1. 30 Years of Newsround- 1974 At: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/static/find_out/guides/30_anniversary/1974.stm (Accessed on 27/10/2018)
2. 30 Years of Newsround- 1979 At: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/static/find_out/guides/30_anniversary/1979.stm (Accessed on 27/10/2018)
3. 30 Years of Newsround- 1991 At: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/static/find_out/guides/30_anniversary/1991.stm (Accessed on 27/10/2018)
4. 30 Years of Newsround- 1973 At: http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/static/find_out/guides/30_anniversary/1973.stm (Accessed on 27/10/2018)
3. Newsround [television programme online] Pres. R. Boleto. CBBC (2012) At: https://estream.ucreative.ac.uk/View.aspx?id=5566~4w~xZCroLiz (Accessed on 28/10/2018)
4. Newsround [television programme online] Pres. R. Boleto, Prod. F. Ruscoe. CBBC (2018) At: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/news/watch_newsround (Accessed on 28/10/2018)
5. All about Hayley- CBBC Newsround At: https://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/13840615 (Accessed on 28/10/2018)