News At Ten Could Return In January

ITV is believed to be aiming to bring back the News At Ten with Sir Trevor McDonald on Monday, January 14.

It is understood that the programme’s return will coincide with a revamp of the broadcaster’s peaktime schedule.

According to a report today on MediaGuardian.co.uk, the News At Ten relaunch team had been gearing up to go into action from as early as Monday, January 7.

Last week, Alex Chandler, editor of ITV1’s early evening bulletin, was appointed by ITN to oversee the return of News At Ten.

Julie Etchingham, who joins the broadcaster from Sky News in January, is being lined-up as co-presenter alongside Sir Trevor McDonald and Mark Austen.

The returning news show has caused a shake-up of ITV1’s peaktime schedule, which is part of executive chairman Michael Grade’s recovery plan for the station.

ITV1 is thought to be focusing on airing one-hour dramas in the 9pm slot, with a possible move for Coronation Street to 8.30pm in an attempt to boost ratings.

Grade announced that shake-up at MediaGuardian’s Changing Broadcast summit in October (see ITV Delivers More Drama For Winter).

“We have been planning for a year to relaunch ITV1’s schedule next year,” he said. “We have been desperately trying to keep this a secret, but hopelessly. This is a very sensitive commercial secret for us.”

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