View all newsletters
Sign up for our free email newsletters

Fighting for quality news media in the digital age.

ITV results reveal broadcaster has already curbed regional programmes

By Paul McNally

ITV has already cut its regional budget by almost five per cent ahead of a drastic reorganisation of its news output over the next two years, the broadcaster revealed today.

In its end-of-year results, published this morning, ITV said its regional programming costs were reduced by £5m in 2007, down 4.2 per cent to £114m.

Regional news accounts for about three quarters of this budget, or £85m – a figure which could be cut to £40m if ITV’s regional news reorganisation is approved by Ofcom.

Under the proposals, the existing 17 news regions will be merged to form nine bigger regions. Widespread redundancies are expected as part of the cuts.

“We recognise that these will have implications in terms of regional staffing, but we believe that it is right to be open about our plans and their rationale,” the company said today.

“Our plans would ensure that every home in the country retains access to a high-quality ITV regional news service from 2009, while maximising investment in original network programming, where the core public interest lies.”

ITV said today it had completed the roll-out of its regional broadband TV news service, itvlocal.com, which claimed 750,000 unique users last December.

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

Executive chairman Michael Grade announced the regional news cuts as part of his five-year turnaround plan in September last year.

In his first year in charge, pre-tax profits have fallen 35 per cent to £188m, with revenue down five per cent to £2.1bn.

“The first priority for ITV was to stem the decline,” Grade said. “We have made real progress towards delivering on our growth strategy. The turnaround plan is on track.”

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