Feeds
The overhaul yesterday brought up to 500,000 more viewers to the 5pm bulletin, presented for the first time by Natasha Kaplinksy.
There were new sequences and themes, a promise to focus on human interest stories and a total redesign.
Most of those sharing their views on the forums were not impressed, however.
"I was absolutely stunned... it was so so bad," said Charliechalk1 after tuning in for the first night. "The lead story (about banned and uninsured drivers) could have been created anytime in the last ten years... it was nonsense. The rest of the show was seriously bland and not even as good as newsroom."
Djonshore, of Caernarfon, Wales, was cynical about one of the slogans for the relaunch: "Talk about Five News wanting to start a conversation. So Five News, or should I say Five no-news, or should it ever have the right to be called a news programme? It's more like a gossip than a news."
Charnham, posting from near Peterborough, suggested the channel could try taking the emphasis off its bulletins altogether. "I'm fed up with Five News changing every couple of years, I know Five have to carry news, but I'm not sure its ever going to compete with BBC & ITV," he wrote. "And anyone who uses the term 'start a conversation' is a massive turn off for me, I want a news read to present facts, maybe a little discussion with experts, but not mass discussion."
Kaplinsky herself, who was hired from the BBC, was the problem for Iluka lad. "TV execs thinking NK is a popular newsreader just baffles me, I don't know anyone who likes her, she's as cold as ice and when trying to be warmer just looks like a smiling assassin," said the forum member from Andover. "Kate Silverton is head and shoulders above her."
There were some readers impressed with the new approach, however.
"I'm happy with a synopsis of stories rather than in depth stuff that's available on C4," said Asp746. "Also how many of us are affected by Northern Rock and how many of us are affected by uninsured drivers? So I know which story was more relevant to me the girl on the street.
"(I) thought the set was a bit big and that couch was way too long and she looked a bit lost on it. As for Natasha she did a great job - as always."
Gawd added: "I thought it was OK. Certainly too much 'non-news' for my liking but that's no different to 99% of the rest of TV news in this country, sadly... (Kaplinsky's) move has given Five News at least a few new viewers."
Slovenia-based DocumentaryFan said: "Why is a populist news service on television such a big deal? In today's TV environment, people have a choice of channels, and the BBC provides a service that is generally regarded as one of the journalistically most sound in the world.... If people can buy tabloid newspapers, why shouldn't they have access to populist TV news?"
The relaunch came just a week after Neighbours began on Five and as US dramas continued to push its ratings up. Some forum members offered opinions on the state and future of the channel as a whole.
"I'd say 2008 will be the making of Five and within three years, it will be level with Channel 4 in terms of ratings," wrote Tom1007. "But whether that is because Channel 4 will go down? Who knows. But I don't think Five will remain as the 'other' or 'fifth' terrestrial channel that nobody really bothers watching for much longer."
Mb@2day thought that viewpoint was "highly optimistic": "Five have invested very heavily in the aim to improve their position. I think they are looking for a bigger or equal success to that the US drama series have given them. If it doesn't work out I can't see where they go next."
> Click here for the views of Five News editor David Kermode on the relaunch
> Click here for images of the new set
