View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

  1. News
September 22, 2008

ITV could announce massive regional cuts this week

By Patrick

Broadcaster ITV is set to announce wide-ranging cuts to its local news services that could see up to 200 staff made redundant, The Times reports.

Ofcom publishes the second stage of its public service broadcasting review which may give the green light to the cuts.

ITV has been in talks with Ofcom to make the cuts, which naturally will be met with strong opposition from unions. Broadcasting union general secretary Gerry Morrissey told The Times: “This is about ITV abandoning the last of its public service responsibilities.”

Regional output will drop significantly under the plan. According to The Times:

  • ITV will abandon its separate 30min West Country and Border bulletins in favour of 15 minute programmes
  • “Sub-regional” services will be introduced, which will run at around 6.05pm
  • A new North of England/South of Scotland  region will be created, a merger of Tyne-Tees in Gateshead and Border, based in Carlisle

13:34 Update

A spokesman for ITV has been in touch to say that the cuts are part of its Turnaround strategy, that aims to save £40m from regional news. “We want to do this in a carefully managed and structured way to minimise the impact on viewers,” he said.

Content from our partners
MHP Group's 30 To Watch awards for young journalists open for entries
How PA Media is helping newspapers make the digital transition
Publishing on the open web is broken, how generative AI could help fix it

Topics in this article :

Email pged@pressgazette.co.uk to point out mistakes, provide story tips or send in a letter for publication on our "Letters Page" blog

Select and enter your email address Weekly insight into the big strategic issues affecting the future of the news industry. Essential reading for media leaders every Thursday. Your morning brew of news about the world of news from Press Gazette and elsewhere in the media. Sent at around 10am UK time. Our weekly does of strategic insight about the future of news media aimed at US readers. A fortnightly update from the front-line of news and advertising. Aimed at marketers and those involved in the advertising industry.
  • Business owner/co-owner
  • CEO
  • COO
  • CFO
  • CTO
  • Chairperson
  • Non-Exec Director
  • Other C-Suite
  • Managing Director
  • President/Partner
  • Senior Executive/SVP or Corporate VP or equivalent
  • Director or equivalent
  • Group or Senior Manager
  • Head of Department/Function
  • Manager
  • Non-manager
  • Retired
  • Other
Visit our privacy Policy for more information about our services, how New Statesman Media Group may use, process and share your personal data, including information on your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications.
Thank you

Thanks for subscribing.

Websites in our network