ITV’s News At Ten Move Challenged

It is understood that Gerald Kaufman, chairman of the Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee, is to lead an investigation into ITV’s plans to move the flagship News At Ten programme. He, like Culture Secretary Chris Smith, has made it known that he opposes any such schedule changes.

The Independent Television Commission (ITC), which will ultimately decide whether to approve the move, has received over 1,200 responses to its consultation period (see ITC Reacts To ITV’s Proposal). Most of these are believed to be against moving the 10 o’clock news programme. The ITC has also employed research bureaux, BARB and Mori to poll a further 8,000 people on their views about the plans.

If the move does go ahead, ITV plans to have an early evening bulletin at 6:30pm, followed by another programme at 11pm. Both programmes will be hosted by Trevor MacDonald.

Independent Television Commission: 0171 255 3000 Department of Culture, Media & Sport: 0171 211 6272 ITV Network Centre: 0171 843 8000