ITV Local invited a select group of bloggers, and somehow I got invited too, up to their studios today to learn more about their own London blog and to give us the chance to see them putting out an edition of London Tonight.
This eclectic bunch of bloggers from across London assembled at 200 Grays Inn Road on this muggy Friday afternoon, and were duely given a tour of the newsroom, the ITV evening news set and the London tonight set. The picture on the right shows inside the iconic, Norman Foster designed building with a stunning atrium at its heart, which we learned was once home to a hanging art installation like a “stick of rock” which fell loose and came crashing down into the cafe area on the ground floor, just as Katie Dereham was down there grabbing a coffee.
Highlights of the walkabout for me included passing Bill Neely in the corridor and then getting to meet and shake hands with the legend that is Alastair Stewart. In fact my neck was starting to ache from constantly turning round to see more recognisable faces.
After the tour, we settled down in the gallery with the director to see the main evening news programme, London Tonight, being created. Being a Friday show, there was a bigger element on the fun stuff – a guide to What’s on this weekend, a look at the movies and a funny video featuring a surfing dog. The other tell tale sign it was a Friday was that Alastair wasn’t wearing a tie! Having seen London Tonight so many times, it was fascinating to see the show being made and also to enjoy the banter that goes on between the presenters when they’re not on air. It was a privelege to be invited, so big thanks must go to ITV Local and their social media consultants, 1000 Heads.
Have a look at the ITV Local London Blog to find out more about their blog which includes regular posts from Alastair, Salma Siraj and Katie Dereham.