ITV Must Address News Audience Decline, Says ITC

ITV’s new evening schedule has resulted in an unacceptable decline in news audiences, according to Sir Robin Biggam, chief executive of the Independent Television Commission (ITC). Sir Biggam said “The ITC is of the view that in the two key public service commitments of the audiences for national/international news and regional programmes, the new ITV schedule has failed to deliver.” The maintenance of audience levels was among the conditions laid down when the ITC agreed to changes in the ITV weekday schedule at the end of 1998. As a consequence, from March 1999, ITV rescheduled its 5.40pm news bulletin and the popular News at Ten to 6.30pm and 11pm (see ITV Axes News At Ten). According to the ITC, the rescheduling has resulted in a fall in total audience of 13.9% for the early and late news bulletins. “The changes to the schedule have also had an unacceptable impact overall on regional news audiences” added Sir Biggam, pointing to a 22% reduction in aggregate audiences for main regional news magazines. Since the axing of News at Ten, there have been calls in Parliament to have it forcibly reinstated (see MPs Push For Return Of News At Ten).

The ITC reviewed the conditions of its rescheduling approval on 9 March this year. Focusing on funding, range, quality and diversity, as well as audience levels and effects on regional programming, it was satisfied in some areas. The quality of ITN’s news services is said to have been maintained and new material introduced in the freed-up 9-11pm slot. However, Robin Biggam expressed doubts that the improvements that are necessary could be achieved by the passage of time.

ITV has been asked to submit proposals on how it will tackle its falling audiences in time for a Commission meeting on 18 May. Other interested parties have also been invited to put forward their views.

Independent Television Commission: 020 7255 3000