Comments on: ABC News Breakfast: “We send you off smarter”

By: ron copeland

ron copeland — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 01:52:40 +0000

Well I’m pleased that the table-top computers have now gone, but the graphics both on-set and as intros remain absolutely ridiculous, and quite off-putting. I suggested previously that the designer was smoking something illegal, and unfortunately he has not yet kicked the habit! Please think again, ABC. Why show the harbour bridge half- decapitated? Look at the class of set design on “insiders”… elegant but simple, and not something distasteful that would appear on a pavement outside a late-closing pub. Do we reqire reminding at breakfast of what we shouldn’t have indulged in the previous night? I think not!
Many comments relate to the show’s ‘dullness”, and to a certain degree they may be correct. I suggest the presenters get up off their couch, move around… do warm-up exercises or arm-wrestle if they must but let us see some Movement; some animation… remind us that these presenters are human and not simply well researched robots. Give us see some interest. Mere talking heads are in fact boring.
And what happened to Virginia? If only she’d stop talking as fast as a chaff cutting machine! But she and Michael do team together so well.
I will say that the ABC has the makings of a winner here, but more imagination is necessary. But please do not go stupid with mindless gimmicks that are served up (along with endless ads), of Sunrise and Nine’s effort.
Kind Regards,
Ron Copeland, Christmas Island. Off WA (We are still part of Australia, we locals think, but can’t be certain of that)

By: zzzzzz

zzzzzz — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 02:25:59 +0000

they repeat the same 3 stories, for 3 hours, ad nauseum.. pretty lame – nice weather girl but..

By: Rob

Rob — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 05:25:10 +0000

I like that this show is boring. Most viewers are caught up in a rat race style of competition with Today and Sunrise to see what celeb is screwing who. Unless you consider those stories unintentional comedies which can be laughed at then you’re feeding your brain with useless crap just like fast food.

By: Russell

Russell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:47:00 +0000

About 20,000 people a day watch it. That tells you how bad it is.
Something is wrong when the national broadcaster makes a show that so few Australians want to watch and it’s acceptable

But Breakfast talks “reach” – and they say they have a reach of 230,000 viewers a week. By that count, Sunrise & Today would both have a reach of over 3 million each.

That puts it in perspective.

By: Jonathan Cho

Jonathan Cho — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 11:16:56 +0000

How many people watch this?

By: ManoMan

ManoMan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:42:14 +0000

Russel, quality and ABC are no longer synonymous.

Drive that dollar further, less people (who know what they are doing) and more technology (well PCs and dodgy software I guess, judging by media watch), equals TV you snooze to.

By: brisvegas

brisvegas — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:06:03 +0000

I love this show. Is it dull – when compared to today and sunrise – yes. But i dont care – it’s just what i want in the morning. gotta agree with changing the graphics though

By: Mike Retter

Mike Retter — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:40:01 +0000

Thats a great story and interview David. I think the show has bean a succes story. Critics love to tear into its information heavy style but the other choices on free to air are garbage and everyone knows it. Whenever I see Sunrise it is Paris this, Britney that. Product promotion, cross promotion. Kochie being an idiot.

I think a show like this is important to give choice. It would certainly not leave viewers dumbed down on their way to work. I think its popularity will grow further.

By: Tim

Tim — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:30:04 +0000

I have tried convince my partner to kick the Sunrise habit and watch ABC News Brekkie.

If the ABC did a nation-wide traffic report, she would be there with bells on.

Also, she claims that Sunrise goes better with the morning xanax.

By: Alex T

Alex T — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:47:03 +0000

Russell.. It’s not made to be watched from beginning to end.. It’s designed to be watched for 20-30 mins in the morning while you have your “Breakfast”.. Who on earth eats breakfast for 3 hrs.. That’s why they talk about their reach, and not their overall ratings.. And in any case.. the ABC don’t care about ratings.. so what does it matter.. It’s a very good alternative to sunrise and today, for those who want to see a bit more serious news..

By: Ducko

Ducko — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:10:26 +0000

This sends you off smarter as long as it doesn’t put you back to sleep.

By: Russell

Russell — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:03:39 +0000

@ Michael, no Russell does not work for Seven or Nine!

@ Stan, while yes I believe the show is beyond dull, as do most others, my actual criticism is more how amateurish this show is. I love the idea of a hard hitting news show from ABC. I love it. But this is executed so badly. The idea is there – these people just have no idea how to make good television though.

Breakfast moves at a snail’s pace. That does not translate to it needed to have Hollywood updates and jokes of the day. I am not saying this show need to be dumbed down. Not at all. Not for a second. I am saying they need to look at how quality hard news breakfast programming is done around the world.

I’m not saying it needs to be entertaining, I’m saying it needs to be well produced. There is no quality check here.

By: Stan

Stan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:38:42 +0000

Russell, do you want to give us your ‘joke of the day’ while you’re here?

I notice that the major criticism directed towards News Breakfast is its ‘dullness.’ Why do news programmes have to be entertaining? Is it because Sunrise & Today have lowered the bar to such a degree, we’re not happy until they all look like ‘Hey Hey It’s a Weekday’?

Some of us have done some growing up since we watched cartoons in the morning before school… While other “adults” have got a little way to go.

By: Ellie

Ellie — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:22:07 +0000

I need something to wake me up in the morning… my partner watches this and all I have to say is they could bottle this news program and sell it to insomniacs to help them sleep!!!

By: Dan

Dan — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 03:18:29 +0000

I liked this show when I was able to watch it but now I live in an area where I don’t have access to digital TV so I can’t watch anymore. You would think that all the ABC networks should be available to everyone in this country!!

By: pondie84

pondie84 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:50:09 +0000

It’s still fairly inane. The sports reader is pretty dire too. Get someone with a personality.