September 2003 - August 2006 [Part 1] Breakfast • 1pm • 6.01pm
RTÉ One News
RTÉ News bulletins on both television channels got a new look on Monday September 01 2003. Work on the new look began in May 2003 and involved a complete re-design of the entire news bulletin, including the opening animation, logo, set, music and graphic content.

The principle behind the new look was to communicate information using the clearest, sharpest and most up-to-date graphic technology. The aim was to combine functionality with an aesthetic that presents RTÉ News as the best television news provider available to Irish viewers.

The opening title sequence and animated content graphics were created on Softimage - XSI and Discreet - Flame at Piranha Bar, Dublin. Music was written and performed by John Walsh and software for delivery of content graphics to studio was created by RTÉ's Software Development department. The project was designed and directed by Mick Nalty of RTÉ's Design department. The new set was designed to create a spacious modern look with clean simple lines using pale creams and contemporary timber, incorporating all of the latest complex technology. It was designed by Bernadette Gaskin.

An increased emphasis on RTÉ branding was also evident in the revised programme titles:

• RTÉ News: One O'Clock
• RTÉ News: Six-One
• RTÉ News: Nine O'Clock
• RTÉ News: Headlines

Previously, these would have been:

• One O'Clock News
• Six-One News
• Nine O'Clock News
• News Headlines

RTÉ News continued in 4:3 format.
Above: ''RTÉ News' daytime summary titles.
Some of the short bulletins were based in a small studio in the RTÉ One presentation area; others were produced in either the main news studio or a small CSO studio. Bulletins presented from the presentation department's studio had no visual reports.
Above: Ken Hammond [left] and Eileen Whelan [middle] presenting from the CSO studio. Mary Calpin presenting from the RTÉ One presentation department studio.
Above: 'RTÉ News: One O'Clock' opening title sequence/headlines.
Above: images of the studio/presenter [1]. Presenter: John Finnerty.
Above: images of the studio/presenter [2].
Above: images of the studio/presenter [3].
Above: examples of astons.
Above: following the weekday 1pm news programme, there would be a summary of the news in Irish, with in-vision subtitles. Presenter: Seamus O Scanlain.
Above: 'RTÉ News: Six O'Clock' opening title sequence/headlines.
Above: images of studio/presenters [1]. Presenters: Bryan Dobson [middle] and John Finnerty [right].
Above: images of studio/presenters [2].
Above: images of studio/presenters [3].
Above: images of studio/presenters [4]. Sports presenter: Joe Stack.
Above: examples of astons [1].
Above: examples of astons [2].
Above: examples of graphics [1].
Above: examples of graphics [2].
Above: examples of graphics [3].

LINKS  BBC UK Presentation  •  Five Presentation  •  Sky Presentation

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