ITV Begins Daytime Schedule Revamp

ITV looks set to radically restructure its daytime programming by cutting its afternoon news output and reducing its commitment to children’s programming.

From September 4 the lunchtime news bulletin, starting at 1.30, will be cut in half, from 60 to 30 minutes, and Loose Women will be returning for an hour from 12.30. After the news, at 2pm, ITV is expected to show drama repeats such as Midsomer Murders.

The lunchtime bulletin was lengthened from 30 to 60 minutes last spring when ITV relaunched its daytime schedule.

The broadcaster has also made an official request to Ofcom to reduce the hours of children’s programming it airs each week, from eight to as little as two. In addition, ITV wants to remove all kids programming from the ITV1 weekday schedule.

Channel 4’s current daytime dominance is one of the main reasons for ITV1’s daytime schedule revamp, as it attempts to find the pieces to complete the perfect daytime TV jigsaw.

ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com