ITV Axes News At Ten

Following reports this morning (see Newsline today) ITV has confirmed that it intends to drop its News At Ten bulletin, and has approached the Independent Television Commission (ITC) for agreement to the move. ITV wishes to move the news because in its present slot it interrupts the evening movies, and by the time the news is over many viewers have retired for the night.

ITV hopes to abolish the ten o’clock news slot, and has a 6:30pm bulletin instead, presented by Trevor McDonald who has just signed a new contract with ITN. Due to the historic institutional nature of the bulletin, the move is destined to come up against strong opposition.

However, there are those who see it as a positive move. Nick Theakston, broadcast director at the advertising agency MediaVest, commented that the proposal is long overdue: “We highly applaud the move. The news simply gets in the way, and this new schedule will increase peak-time ratings.” Theakston expects that the ITC will agree to the move; as to whether or not it goes ahead depends on the ITC’s decision.

ITN, which is responsible for creating the News At Ten bulletins, is also viewing the idea in a positive light, and is excited by the challenge of a half-hour early evening bulletin. There are plans for a News At Ten bulletin to be carried on ITV2, the company’s digital channel to be launched near the end of the year.

ITV also intends to make some other changes to its schedule, including a new 60-minutes type programme on current affairs, more original ITV films and an extension of the range and reach of drama productions.

ITV: Tel: 0171 843 8000 ITC: 0171 255 3000