ITV Announces Major Shakeup of Daytime Schedule
In a significant move, ITV has revealed plans to overhaul its daytime schedule, affecting popular shows such as Lorraine and Loose Women. According to a report from the Express, the changes will see Good Morning Britain extended by 30 minutes, running from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. from January 2026.
The revised schedule will have far-reaching implications for several programmes. Lorraine, which currently airs at 9 a.m. for an hour, will be reduced to a 30-minute slot from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. However, this will only be for 30 weeks of the year, with Good Morning Britain filling the 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. slot during the remaining weeks. Loose Women will continue to air for one hour from 12:30 p.m., but again, only for 30 weeks of the year.
The decision to implement these changes was explained by Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division. As quoted in the Express, Lygo stated, "Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and these scheduling and production changes will enable us to continue to deliver a schedule providing viewers with the news, debate and discussion they love from the presenters they know and trust, as well as generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres."
The changes also form part of a broader strategy to consolidate ITV’s news operations and expand its national, international, and regional news output. Lygo added, "These changes also allow us to consolidate our news operations and expand our national, international and regional news output and to build upon our proud history of trusted journalism at a time when our viewers need accurate, unbiased news coverage more than ever."
The revised schedule will also have implications for Lorraine’s usual Friday stand-ins, Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard, who will no longer be required. Furthermore, it was announced that ITV Studios will no longer produce Good Morning Britain, with production instead being handed over to ITN.
This change is part of a renewed agreement between ITV and ITN, which will see ITN produce national, international, London, and digital news for ITV for the next five years, with options to extend. As reported by the Express, this move is set to have a significant impact on the future of ITV’s daytime schedule and its news output.
The shakeup of ITV’s daytime schedule is just the latest development in the ever-changing world of television programming. As the media landscape continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect viewers and the industry as a whole. One thing is certain, however: ITV is taking steps to ensure its continued relevance and commitment to providing high-quality programming and journalism to its audience.
The Express has been at the forefront of reporting on this story, providing in-depth analysis and expert commentary on the implications of ITV’s scheduling changes. As a trusted source of news and information, the Express continues to provide readers with the latest updates on this developing story.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2057823/itv-good-morning-britain-major-shakeup-scheduling
