An ambitious challenge if ever there was one. I set myself the task of re-creating the BBC News Web site.

My first point would be that I don’t want to create something that is completely different. I just wanted to do something that, had I been asked to re-create the site, would make an impression.

The BBC News Web site is one of the most important sites in the country and indeed the World. Being given the task of re-designing such an important Web site is not something that I could have done without unenviable panic first!

But, it’s no secret that when the BBC re-vamped the News Web site, there were just as many people who didn’t like it as there were who did. I, however, was torn.

I hated the fact that they introduced two mastheads for one, because it pushed way too much content below the fold. But that’s obviously not going to change as it is part of a wider design for the entire network of BBC sites, so I’ve made my peace with it.

Besides a few other niggling little points, such as the busy mid-section, I love how clean and more effective it is now compared with the older version.

With my design, I aimed to put a couple of improvements onto that. I’ve taken most of the ideas from the current design and simply put it in a slightly different way. A lot is the same; too radical a change would certainly upset the millions of people who visit the site.

Later I’ll be posting a point-by-point explanation of my design but, for now, I just want to push it out there and see what people think.

Do you like it? Do you hate it? Most importantly, what would YOU do to improve my design, or the BBC’s current design?

Click the image above to view the full-sized visual.

Later, I’ll also be posting the PSD and Fireworks PNG so people can take it away and edit it the way they’d like. Maybe you’ve made one already… Care to post it here? I’d love to see other ideas too!

The concept itself is, without a doubt, a very good idea. It is an excellent way of using our BBC to vent our frustrations at the politics and everyday monotony that exists on our little island. The show even has a feature in which the bewildered residents of a city are approached and told to do a piece-to-camera about what they’d like to see more of on the news.

But, upon first look it is very clear who the target audience of Your News is. The presenter shots are ridiculously over-played. The dialogue itself is fine; there’s little sensationalism, which you’d expect in this style of programming. However, the camera work is beyond slick. It is beyond modern. It is simply awful.

The camera zooms in and out quickly in response to every comment made by the presenter. It rotates around said presenter in some sort of Matrix style clockwork. It pans around trees and lamp posts which block the presenter’s face over and over again and it slips in and out of this sloppy, wannabe-modern style of filming as it so pleases.

So after being held on the edge of your seat at the suspense, being bombarded with the opinions about the state of the news by people chosen ‘at random’, and finally feeling very sick at the sheer volume of camera movement and rotation, you don’t even have enough time to take it all in; the programme is just too short.

I did try and find a YouTube clip, but those Copyright Police have been out in force across the network so you’ll just have to make do with the BBC’s online version. Click here to watch the latest episode. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a good show. But be warned: you may need a bucket.

UPDATE: As of today (9th December 2007) the YourNews video on bbc.co.uk hasn’t been updated since 3rd November so you may not be watching the most recent edition.

Torchwood had its series two press premiere yesterday and some details have been revealed about the plot of the first episode.

In case you were wondering, Torchwood is a fictional institution first mentioned in the revived Doctor Who television series. ‘Torchwood’ is in fact an anagram of ‘Doctor Who’.

Torchwood is also a spin-off show, starring John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness who also first appeared in the newly-revived Doctor Who as a rogue Time Agent.

It has been revealed that former Buffy star James Marsters will star in the first episode of Torchwood series two as Captain John Hart and that he has had a relationship with Captain Jack in the past.Gwen gets engaged to her slightly less-than-perfect boyfriend Rhys. Digital Spy reports that during the ceremony (penned for mid-series) ‘Vampires may be among the uninvited guests”.

Apparently during the press screening, the humour was noted as comparably greater and the characters seem to have grown in the TV-absence of the show.

Captain Jack wants to get back together with Ianto. That story will apparently “do a Hollyoaks” and develop across the entire series. Neil Wilkes (DS) reports that Captain Jack will enjoy many a snog during series two!

You may also be pleased to learn that the official Torchwood site was re-launched at midnight, with a new look and promising exclusive content and games, much like this Spooks site.

The first episode is called ‘Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang” and is rumoured to be broadcast on the 16th of January, or at least thereabouts. Rumours that there will be a specially-edited ‘family-friendly’ version of Torchwood were also confirmed the other day, meaning that a cut version will be broadcast at a pre-watershed time on BBC Two (the new home of Torchwood).

There now follows an official press release from the BBC: (after the jump)

Torchwood, the award-winning drama created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, bursts back on our screens in mid-January 2008, this time premièring on BBC Two.And this time it’s bigger and bolder with more fun, adventure and excitement for the alien-fighting team…

Captain Jack Harness (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles), Owen (Burn Gorman), Toshiko (Naoko Mori) and Ianto (Gareth Lloyd-Davies) return as the investigators delving into the alien underworld of modern day Cardiff.

In response to audience demand, younger fans will now have the opportunity of watching a specially edited pre-watershed repeat.

Roly Keating, Controller BBC Two, says: “We’re delighted that Torchwood is joining BBC Two.

“We know from the success and popularity of Heroes that there’s a growing appetite for smart, high-quality, sci-fi drama on the channel so Torchwood is a perfect fit.

“I’m also pleased to announce that, due to popular demand from families and younger viewers, we will be showing a special pre-watershed repeat so everyone can enjoy the new series.”

Making a special guest appearance in the first episode is James Marsters as Captain John. He starred as Spike, the punk-goth vampire in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Captain John and Captain Jack go way back and have “history”.

When he appears through the Rift under Cardiff looking for Captain Jack not only does he disrupt Captain Jack’s homecoming but the whole team, city and world are suddenly placed in danger.

The new series promises an exhilarating mixture of adventure, heartbreak, humour and surprise and pushes the team’s resolve and friendships as never before.

Firmly rooted in urban life of 21st century Cardiff, Torchwood’s investigations into alien activity give the team glimpses of the 51st Century and the First World War.

They encounter alien sleeper cells; save a stranded creature from human exploitation; meet a tragic soldier from the First World War; and encounter a memory thief who exposes long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.

During the run Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C, Lost and The West Wing) makes a star appearance.

Another familiar face among the special guest stars is Doctor Who’s companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) who appears half way through the series.

Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey) also appear in various roles.

Russell T Davies says: “This series pushes the Torchwood team further than ever before. They are joined by some incredible guest stars who are really going to cause waves. It’s adventurous, thrilling and packed full of surprises.”

Torchwood, which was shot in HD and will also be shown on the BBC HD channel, is filmed in and around Cardiff by BBC Wales.

BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards says: “The first series of Torchwood was a huge hit with audiences. We’re extremely proud that it’s produced in Wales.

“And its success is a reflection of the huge wealth of talent and creativity that exists here.

“We’re delighted that it’s returning to our screens for another series full of action, humour and excitement.”

The 13-part series is written by Chris Chibnall, Phil Ford, Peter J Hammond, Matt Jones, Joseph Lidster, James Moran, Helen Raynor, Catherine Tregenna and JC Wilsher.

Created by Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the first series which aired on BBC Three last year achieved the channel’s highest ratings in 2006, with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode, and peaking at 2.8 million.

There will be a new exciting online reality game and exclusive behind the scenes footage on bbc.co.uk/torchwood.

Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales. The producer is Richard Stokes.

When Sky News decided to introduce their current graphics to a somewhat mixed reaction almost a year ago now, I wasn’t too impressed. But, none-the-less, they have come to grow on me.

I do, however, have one big anxiety about it… The never-ending ‘BREAKING NEWS’ banner that scrolls ominously at the bottom of the screen in bold yellows and blacks.

I recognise instantly a massive similarity between this and CNN’s own ‘BREAKING NEWS’ banners, with the bumblebee style yellow and, in fact, all the rolling news stations have started to mimic this style.

But, back to the point, BBC News 24. They’ve started to do the same thing themselves with that annoying scrolling banner which is allegedly giving us breaking news. Lets get one thing straight… News does not break over three hours.

There may be one or two developments, but that most certainly does not warrant such an obtrusive banner. This should be reserved for national or international catastrophes; not a ship that is sinking somewhere near the Shetland islands.

Warning: A comedy quote that has been completely fabricated for effect follows:

“Don’t worry, folks. Those people who were rescued from the ship two hours ago; they’re still rescued. But the bloody ship, it’s sunk another centimetre! STOP PRESS!”

The constant stream of this ‘breaking’ news on my screen which is only there because, lets face it, the newsters and journos really have nothing else to tell us, wouldn’t even bother me that much. But it covers up the ticker! So I have to sit there and wait fifteen minutes until they read out the headlines… But surprise surprise! It’s all about that holed ship again.

At this point I have my own sinking feeling. I just want to cry! All I want to know is what else is going on in the world.

Trying to keep me watching just drives me to the Internet instead. Too bad Mrs. Beeb. Until you sort out that God-awful red ticker banner… I’m just not watching. I expect this from the likes of Sky News, but honestly… My PSB?!