Lookaround

{{Short description|British regional TV news programme (since 1961)}}

{{Infobox television

| image = ITV News Border.png

| caption =

| alt_name = ITV News Lookaround
ITV News Border

| genre =

| director =

| presenter = Amy Lea & Ian Payne

| theme_music_composer =

| opentheme =

| endtheme =

| composer =

| country = United Kingdom

| language = English

| company = {{plainlist|

ITV Tyne Tees & Border (2009–present)
ITV Border
(1961–2009)

}}

| executive_producer = Michaela Byrne (Head of News and Programmes)

| editor = Catherine Houlihan

| location = {{plainlist|

The Watermark, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England[http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/DocumentLibrary/Business/Leaflets/BBOct05.pdf Tyne Tees move to Watermark] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060830041902/http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/DocumentLibrary/Business/Leaflets/BBOct05.pdf |date=30 August 2006 }} Gateshead Government (2009–present)
Harraby, Carlisle (1961–2009)

}}

| camera = Multi-camera

| runtime = 29 minutes (18:00 broadcast)

| channel = ITV1 (ITV Border)

| first_aired = {{start date|df=yes|1961}}

| last_aired = present

| related = {{plainlist|

}}

ITV News Lookaround is the name of a British television news service produced by ITV Tyne Tees & Border and broadcasting to the ITV Border region.

Overview

Lookaround is produced and broadcast from studios at The Watermark, Gateshead with reporters also based at offices in Carlisle and Edinburgh. Both regional services (i.e ITV News Tyne Tees and Lookaround) utilise exactly the same presenter(s) and studio/set, therefore one of the two programmes - depending on the day's news - is pre-recorded 'as live' shortly before broadcast.[https://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2009/feb/16/seventeen-regions-into-nine-itv-news Seventeen regions into nine: How the updated ITV local news services will run] Caitlin Fitzsimmons, The Guardian, 17 February 2009

The "Lookaround" news service transmits to a vast area – central and northern Cumbria, Dumfries and Galloway, parts of South Ayrshire, the Scottish Borders and overlap areas of Northumberland. The Isle of Man was also served by ITV Border until 2009.

Viewers in Barrow-in-Furness and Millom receive ITV Granada Reports due to these towns receiving their TV signal from the Winter Hill TV transmitter. {{cite web |url=https://ukfree.tv/transmitters/tv/Winter_Hill |title=Full Freeview on the Winter Hill (Bolton, England) transmitter |publisher=UK Free TV |access-date= 25 February 2024}}

History

=ITV Border=

Border Television's regional news service began on 1 September 1961 from studios at Harraby, Carlisle. Initially producing short evening bulletins and a topical magazine programme called Focus, Lookaround would become the station's flagship daily programme later on in the decade. Shorter bulletins were known as Border News. Meanwhile, Tyne Tees Television had its own wholly separate news services. Lookaround is also known locally in Cumbrian dialect as "Border Crack an' Deekabout"{{citation | title = The GonMad Cumbrian Dictionary | url = http://www.gonmad.co.uk/cumbria | access-date = 10 February 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131030130704/http://www.gonmad.co.uk/cumbria/ | archive-date = 30 October 2013 | url-status = dead }}

In 1989, Border began providing a sub-regional news service for viewers served by the Selkirk transmitter, consisting of a short opt-out during Lookaround each weeknight. In April 1999, the opt-out was extended to cover Dumfries and Galloway and a dedicated Scottish news bulletin was introduced on weekday lunchtimes. Border also opened an Edinburgh bureau to provide coverage of the Scottish Parliament.[https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200102/cmselect/cmscotaf/549/2013003.htm Memorandum submitted by Border Television Limited], parliament.uk, 23 November 2001

=ITV Tyne Tees & Border=

==Proposed merger==

In September 2007, ITV plc announced that ITV Border news operations would be merged with ITV Tyne Tees, subject to the approval from the regulator Ofcom.{{cite news

| title = ITV to merge regional newsrooms

| publisher = BBC News

| date = 12 September 2007

| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/6991206.stm

| accessdate = 2007-09-12}}

On 24 April 2008, a campaign to save the ITV Border news operation arrived in London with a petition of 9000 signed by viewers. This was ahead of MPs meeting with industry regulator Ofcom.[http://www.bectu.org.uk/2008/04/24/border-tv-comes-to-london/ Border TV comes to London] BECTU, 24 April 2008

==Ofcom authorises ITV's plans==

On 26 September 2008, Ofcom authorised ITV's plans to save £40m a year by making regional programming cutbacks. These include axing mid-morning bulletins on weekdays and lunchtime bulletins at weekends, plus merging a number of regions and halving the number of non-news regional programmes.

On 30 September 2008, it was announced the number of ITV Border employees would be slashed from 64 to 13.[http://www.cumbrialife.co.uk/fifty-one-jobs-to-be-axed-at-border-tv-1.247987?referrerPath=2.1692 Fifty one jobs to be axed at Border TV]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Cumbria Life, 30 September 2008[http://www.thejournalist.org.uk/NovDec08/U_ITV.html Fight for 429 jobs – and for ITV regional news] The Journalist

Following a survey of Isle of Man viewers in autumn 2008,[http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/government/ccresponsetoofcompsb4december.pdf Response to Ofcom's Second Public Service Broadcasting Review Phase Two: Preparing for the digital future] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120616093056/http://www.gov.im/lib/docs/government/ccresponsetoofcompsb4december.pdf |date=16 June 2012 }} coverage of the Isle of Man was transferred from ITV Border to ITV Granada in July 2009.[http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Viewers-want-to-receive-Granada.4767163.jp Viewers want to receive Granada TV news] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100522033529/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Viewers-want-to-receive-Granada.4767163.jp |date=22 May 2010 }}, iomtoday.co.im, 5 December 2008[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/isle_of_man/7842444.stm Island set for Granada services], news.bbc.co.uk, 21 January 2009[http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Isle-of-Man-moves-ITV.4900003.jp Isle of Man moves ITV news region] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302083115/http://www.iomtoday.co.im/news/Isle-of-Man-moves-ITV.4900003.jp |date=2 March 2009 }}, www.iomtoday.co.im, 21 January 2009

==''Lookaround'' begins transmitting from Gateshead==

Lookaround retains an office in Carlisle where the news editor, planning and online teams are based along with correspondents, but as of February 2009, the programme is transmitted from ITV Tyne Tees' studios at The Watermark, Gateshead. The lead presenters were announced as the then North East Tonight South edition presenters Ian Payne and Pam Royle.[http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/12/03/tyne-tees-news-presenters-axed-in-cost-cuts-72703-22394461/ Tyne Tees news presenters axed in cost cuts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206063746/http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/todays-evening-chronicle/2008/12/03/tyne-tees-news-presenters-axed-in-cost-cuts-72703-22394461/ |date=6 December 2008 }}, ChronicleLive, 3 December 2008 Then Lookaround presenters Tim Backshall and Helen Carnell were redeployed as a news reporter and early presenter respectively.[http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.481088 Full Border TV Lookaround line-up revealed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090119133421/http://newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.481088 |date=19 January 2009 }}, News & Star, 17 January 2009[http://www.itv.com/news/border/2013-12-11/itv-border-meet-the-team/ ITV Border: Meet the team], itv.com, 12 December 2013 As part of the merger, six district reporters were appointed – working from home unless based in Carlisle or Edinburgh. The district reporters announced were Victoria Hoe in Kendal, Hannah Lomas in Carlisle, Lee Madan in Selkirk, Stuart Pollitt in Whitehaven, Olivia Richwald in Dumfries and Kathryn Samson in Edinburgh.

ITV Tyne Tees & Border was formed on 25 February 2009, with Lookaround and North East Tonight titles retained for the 6pm programme and late bulletin each weekday, whilst shorter bulletins were known simply as Tyne Tees & Border News.[http://eladvertiser.co.uk/news/1.502392 ITV reveals the faces of Lookaround re-design] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109041602/http://eladvertiser.co.uk/news/1.502392 |date=9 January 2015 }} Eskdale & Liddesdale Advertiser, 21 January 2009[http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.510584 "Revamped Lookaround set for broadcast on February 25"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211054101/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/1.510584 |date=11 February 2012 }} News & Star, 7 February 2009

The then remaining sub-regional elements were:

The opening 15 minutes of the main 6pm programme.
Full late night bulletins on weeknights, following ITV News at Ten.
Localised weather forecasts.

On 14 January 2013, the news service was relaunched and rebranded as ITV News Lookaround.

==Southern Scotland coverage reviewed==

On 23 May 2012, ITV announced proposals for further changes on its regional news programming, with "some content replaced with aggregate of news from several regions" and an expansion in sub-regional coverage.[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/may/23/itv-cutting-local-news ITV proposes cutting back on regional news content] Mark Sweney, The Guardian, 23 May 2012 In November, upon the renewal of ITV's licences for a further ten years, Culture Secretary Maria Millar asked Ofcom to look into proposals for the Border region which would leave Southern Scotland viewers without "the same level of Scottish programming as viewers elsewhere in the country", covered by STV.[https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/nov/21/itv-channel-5-programming-licence-renewal ITV and Channel 5 'may have to increase programming commitments'] John Plunkett, The Guardian, 21 November 2012

In a consultation document, Ofcom set out two potential options, with any changes coming into effect in 2015 at the latest.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-21532460 Ofcom sets out Borders TV options] Jamie Mclvor, BBC News, 21 February 2013[http://www.allmediascotland.com/broadcasting/46258/views-being-sought-on-news-and-current-affairs-coverage-in-the-scottish-borders/ Views being sought on news and current affairs coverage in the Scottish Borders] All Media Scotland, 21 February 2013 ITV proposed re-introducing a full news service exclusively for the Border region, including the return of half-hour editions of Lookaround and short news bulletins, as well as introducing a weekly current affairs programme for the region. The second option was to enforce ITV Border to broadcast 90 minutes a week of non-news programming, including programming from STV.

Press reports indicated a political split in opinion on the issue. In April, the Borders Chamber and members of the local authority at Newton[http://www.peeblesshirenews.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/04/29/455191-scottish-borders-council-leader-already-tunes-into-stv/ Scottish Borders Council leader already tunes into STV] Peeblesshire News, 29 April 2013 and the Scottish Borders Chamber of Commerce[http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/04/30/455453-borders-chamber-demands-allscotland-itv-service/ Borders Chamber demands all-Scotland ITV Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530191126/http://www.bordertelegraph.com/news/roundup/articles/2013/04/30/455453-borders-chamber-demands-allscotland-itv-service/ |date=30 May 2013 }} Border Telegraph, 30 April 2013 publicly supported the second option – with the Chamber calling for a national ITV service for the whole of Scotland.

Two members of the UK Government – Scottish Secretary of State Michael Moore and deputy David Mundell (both MPs in the Border region) – backed ITV's proposal for a Border current affairs programme while the Scottish Government called for STV programming (including Scotland Tonight) to be simulcast.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-23315567 Political split over south of Scotland ITV services] Jamie McIvor, BBC News, 15 July 2013

On 16 May 2013, the first televised Scottish independence debate was broadcast on STV's Scotland Tonight across northern and central Scotland, however viewers in the south of the country were unable to see it as ITV Border took the decision not to broadcast it, leading to further criticism from politicians in the region.[http://www.dgstandard.co.uk/dumfries-news/2013/05/17/we-re-left-indy-dark-51311-33344130/ 'We're left Indy dark'] Magdalene Dalziel, Dumfries & Galloway Standard, 17 May 2013 Michael Jermey, ITV Director of News and Current Affairs, pledged some programming from STV would air on ITV Border.[http://www.dng24.co.uk/news/itv-give-independence-debate-coverage-pledge/3935 ITV gives independence debate coverage pledge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928214821/http://www.dng24.co.uk/news/itv-give-independence-debate-coverage-pledge/3935 |date=28 September 2013 }} DnG24, 17 May 2013

On 23 July 2013, OFCOM announced it had approved the second option of Scottish non-news programming. The regulator also ordered ITV to reopen the former Border Scotland service previously utilized for split news bulletins and simulcasts of select STV programming. The opt-out service was launched on Freeview in January 2014 and consists of a thrice-weekly political programme, Representing Border, and a weekly feature series, Border Life.[http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/07/23/ofcom-sets-out-licence-terms-for-itv-stv-utv-and-channel-5/ OFCOM sets out licence terms for ITV, STV, UTV and Channel 5] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726234355/http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/07/23/ofcom-sets-out-licence-terms-for-itv-stv-utv-and-channel-5/ |date=26 July 2013 }}, OFCOM, 23 July 2013 The bespoke local programming is not seen in Cumbria, where network programming continues to air.

==''Lookaround'' fully restored==

On 14 June 2013, it was reported Lookaround would be restored to a full 30-minute programme along with ITV recruiting journalists for an Autumn launch.[http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/border-to-restore-full-lookaround-tv-news-bulletin-1.1062983?referrerPath=home Border to restore full Lookaround TV news bulletin] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131112155845/http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/border-to-restore-full-lookaround-tv-news-bulletin-1.1062983?referrerPath=home |date=12 November 2013 }} James Johnson, News & Star, 14 June 2013

A month later, Ofcom approved ITV's plans to restore Border's news service. All short bulletins – including daytime and weekend updates – are now exclusive to the Border region, however with the minutage decreased.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-23419129 Ofcom announces plans for ITV service overhaul in southern Scotland] BBC News, 23 July 2013 The changes came into effect on 16 September 2013.[http://www.itv.com/news/border/update/2013-07-23/ofcom-announce-changes-for-itvs-coverage-in-cumbria-and-southern-scotland/ Ofcom announce changes for ITV's coverage in Cumbria and southern Scotland] ITV News, 23 July 2013

==2020 - present==

From March 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ITV Tyne Tees & Border services were impacted. Running times of all short bulletins were reduced. The main 6pm programme was now fronted by a single presenter instead of two.

On 23 November 2020, it was announced the main 6pm programme would return to two presenters from that night, with a slightly modified studio to allow for social distancing.{{cite tweet |author=ITV News Border |author-link=ITV News Border |user=ITVborder |number=1330899092352983046 |date=23 November 2020 |title=Tonight, Pam & Ian will return to your screens together for the first time since March! 🎥 📺 Take a look at the safety measures we've put in place for this to happen - @PamRoyleITV explains. 👇 https://t.co/mErY4DbHFW https://t.co/BOrwG7tB2q |language=en |access-date=16 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614031545/https://twitter.com/itvborder/status/1330899092352983046 |archive-date=14 June 2022 |url-status=live}}

On 28 March 2021, ITV Tyne Tees & Border announced that Amy Lea would be the new co-presenter of the main weekday news programme alongside Ian Payne as of 29 March 2021, taking over from Pam Royle who left ITV on 26 March 2021.