‘New ITV Schedule Gets The Thumbs Up’ Says CIA Survey

A third of adults and 53% of 15-34 year olds believe that ITV is improving its schedule since dropping the News At Ten, according to the latest report by CIA Sensor (see Newsline).

Six out of ten people were pleased that they can now watch films and programmes on ITV without being interrupted by the News At Ten bulletin. Research carried out by CIA Sensor prior to the bulletin being moved suggested that a third of UK adults were unhappy about the decision (see Newsline). However, following the schedule changes, only a quarter of people said that they were annoyed by the loss of News At Ten.

As well as this, almost half the people questioned before the shifting of the news said that they would probably watch the BBC news instead, but actually only 19% of interviewees said that they were watching it currently.

The CIA Sensor report concludes that, “ITV have worked very hard to ensure good first impressions after the death of News At Ten. The positive reception to the new ITV schedule reflects this and the BBC’s window of opportunity at 9pm seems to be closing rapidly.”

However, a separate study by CIA shows that the proposed takeover bid of Manchester United by BSkyB is not very popular. Opinions haven’t changed from September last year when CIA found that over half of the public disapproved of Sky’s proposal (see Newsline).

Currently, 58% of adults believe that BSkyB should not be allowed to take over the football club. The final decision lies with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Trade and Industry secretary, Stephen Byers, is expected to announce his decision in the next few days (see BSkyB Assures DTI Over Man Utd Bid).

CIA Sensor: 0171 803 2000