I liked the current logo, it’s a shame they’re getting rid of it. The gradients flowed nicely and it wasn’t irritatingly flashy. The smaller letters in the new one make it look cramped and uninviting. If they wanted to make it plain for digital, I would have preferred the original 1962 one.
The reason why flat design is everywhere is because young people, like myself, prefer it. Since companies are desperate to appeal to us, they feel the need to make their branding and graphics as flat as possible.
I never understood the need for news to rely on gaudy 3D effects and lens flares. The story should be front and center, the graphics should only supplement it. When I watch or read the news, I want to be informed, not distracted by unnecessary clutter.
Sports are for entertainment, so they make the graphics entertaining to watch. News is meant to inform about serious topics, so I prefer flatter and subdued graphics. I’m not saying it’s bad for news graphics to be creative, but it shouldn’t take away from the main subject.