Rachel_Sandford
News Hound
A spokesman for the commercial broadcaster, ITV, recently gave a statement saying: “Michael Jermey, ITV director of news, current affairs and sport, today updated staff on ITV's ongoing news review, which is looking at all areas of ITVs journalism in order to further strengthen the broadcast and digital news operation.”
The spokesman was referring to the staff letter Jermey sent, informing employees which revealed that ITV is planning “to test the idea” of having a 6pm integrated news programme by running “some off-air pilots.” ITV's current news schedule runs regional news at 6pm on ITV1, then half an hour later, national and international news on ITV News. The schedule was established years ago when regions where “slimmed down” and now it seems the broadcaster would like to integrate the early evening regional news and national news bulletins, fitting everything into a one-hour news programme.
Since the broadcaster will need the approval of media regulatory board, Ofcom, they are currently trialling their proposed show before making a formal application. “We'll be looking at overall structure of the hour, including timings, durations and handovers,” said Jermey. “The pilot programmes will then be reviewed so that we can decide on the best way forward for ITV news.”
Though nothing has been finalized, it seems ITV is following the proposal of business consulting firm, McKinsey, and is slowly merging its three news units, ITV News, ITV Regional News, and Daybreak. This merge will help the company reduce costs, something they ought to do since its current regional news service isn't financially viable.
During a Lord's communications committee hearing, Adam Crozier, ITV's chief executive, suggested that if they were freed from the contract rights renewal (CRR) system, that regional programming could benefit. The system was set in place in order to prevent ITV from abusing its market position.
“Certainly we would put programming right at the top [of areas that would benefit from CRR being scrapped]. ITV has regionality at its heart.”
Having a 6pm news programme on ITV would directly challenge BBC1's 6pm news programme, which runs national, international, then regional news. This is especially true if ITV's format puts regional news at the end of the hour. ITV already competes with BBC for the 10pm slot, which ITV routinely loses, so the Beeb may have little to worry about if ITV succeeds in changing its news lineup.
Apart from changes in news schedule, Jermey also informed staff that formal talks with ITN about renewing its contract beyond the end of the year. ITV currently owns 40% of ITN, and there are rumors that it may buy the remaining percentage from Daily Mail and General Trust, Reuters and United Business Media. Naturally such a move will need Ofcom's approval. ITV had recently bought out GMTV and re-launched its breakfast programme, Daybreak, and the launch did not go as expected, only attracting half the audience of BBC Breakfast.
The spokesman was referring to the staff letter Jermey sent, informing employees which revealed that ITV is planning “to test the idea” of having a 6pm integrated news programme by running “some off-air pilots.” ITV's current news schedule runs regional news at 6pm on ITV1, then half an hour later, national and international news on ITV News. The schedule was established years ago when regions where “slimmed down” and now it seems the broadcaster would like to integrate the early evening regional news and national news bulletins, fitting everything into a one-hour news programme.
Since the broadcaster will need the approval of media regulatory board, Ofcom, they are currently trialling their proposed show before making a formal application. “We'll be looking at overall structure of the hour, including timings, durations and handovers,” said Jermey. “The pilot programmes will then be reviewed so that we can decide on the best way forward for ITV news.”
Though nothing has been finalized, it seems ITV is following the proposal of business consulting firm, McKinsey, and is slowly merging its three news units, ITV News, ITV Regional News, and Daybreak. This merge will help the company reduce costs, something they ought to do since its current regional news service isn't financially viable.
During a Lord's communications committee hearing, Adam Crozier, ITV's chief executive, suggested that if they were freed from the contract rights renewal (CRR) system, that regional programming could benefit. The system was set in place in order to prevent ITV from abusing its market position.
“Certainly we would put programming right at the top [of areas that would benefit from CRR being scrapped]. ITV has regionality at its heart.”
Having a 6pm news programme on ITV would directly challenge BBC1's 6pm news programme, which runs national, international, then regional news. This is especially true if ITV's format puts regional news at the end of the hour. ITV already competes with BBC for the 10pm slot, which ITV routinely loses, so the Beeb may have little to worry about if ITV succeeds in changing its news lineup.
Apart from changes in news schedule, Jermey also informed staff that formal talks with ITN about renewing its contract beyond the end of the year. ITV currently owns 40% of ITN, and there are rumors that it may buy the remaining percentage from Daily Mail and General Trust, Reuters and United Business Media. Naturally such a move will need Ofcom's approval. ITV had recently bought out GMTV and re-launched its breakfast programme, Daybreak, and the launch did not go as expected, only attracting half the audience of BBC Breakfast.
