View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

MPs unite against ITV regional news cuts

By David Rose

Michael Grade’s plan to slash regional news budgets by half has sparked a countrywide revolt among MPs.

Now they are pressing media regulator Ofcom to intervene to force ITV to think again about merging regional news operations such as Tyne Tees with Border, West and West country, East and West Midlands and Meridian and Thames Valley.

Grade’s cutbacks, announced in June, would reduce regional news budgets from £90m to £40- £50m and reduce the number of ITV’s regions from 17 to nine.

MPs claim the mergers undermine ITV’s public service obligations and require Ofcom’s approval which they say should not be granted.

The rebellion has prompted three Commons motions, all of them attracting support.

One from Michael Moore, Liberal Democrat MP for Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, calls on Ofcom to reject the merger of ITV Border and Tyne Tees news which it says would result in a much more limited news operation in Carlisle to cover the south of of Scotland and the north the England.

Lewes Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker is spearheading demands for the Government to press Ofcom to reject plans to merge Meridian regionl news programmes which he says would radically reduce the provision of local news in the South East.

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

John Grogan, Labour MP for Selby, has enlisted the backing of 50 MPs for a plea for Ofcom and ITV to work together to come up with a solution.

‘Regional news has been a key obligation of the Channel 3 licence holder since its launch in 1954 providing strong competition to the BBC,’Grogan said.

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