ITV’s cost-cutting measures have led to main adjustments in its daytime schedule, placing 220 jobs in danger and bringing large shake-ups to widespread exhibits and presenters.
ITV is planning a serious shake-up of its daytime schedule, placing a number of jobs in danger – although one well-known star is reportedly protected from the cuts. The numerous adjustments have created uncertainty amongst each employees and viewers about the way forward for their favorite exhibits and personalities on the channel.
Bosses have determined to overtake Free Ladies and Lorraine as a part of new cost-saving measures. Beginning in 2026, Lorraine Kelly’s morning present shall be lowered to a 30-minute slot, airing from 9:30am to 10am, down from its present one-hour format.
Moreover, the programme will solely run for 30 weeks a yr, leaving the stand-in presenters who normally fill in throughout Lorraine’s holidays with out roles ,the Mirror reviews.
ITV bosses have additionally confirmed that Free Ladies will bear main adjustments, with the present shifting to a “a seasonal foundation for 30 weeks of the yr” in keeping with ITV bosses.
The chance to jobs has left some followers speculating what presenters may very well be axed. Good Morning Britain’s Richard Arnold shall be staying to maintain those that love a little bit of showbiz gossip.
The TV star has reportedly stored his job amid the ITV adjustments, as over 200 employees face redundancies. Richard has been a staple on the present because it launched in 2014, fronting the leisure information.
In line with reviews, he and his group – often known as “RAP” (Richard Arnold Producers) – have been assured their positions are protected. A supply shared with The Solar: “Richard is one in every of ITV daytime’s best-loved faces by no means thoughts on GMB. Viewers take pleasure in his slots and he stays very a lot a part of the furnishings.”
Sadly Richard’s GMB co-stars Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier have not had as a lot luck.
The pair have been lucky to make touring to unique luxurious locations an everyday a part of their job – however that will quickly come to an finish. They ceaselessly appeared in distant areas, urging viewers to enter competitions for an opportunity to win 1000’s of kilos on exhibits reminiscent of Lorraine, This Morning, and Free Ladies.
Nevertheless, ITV is reportedly planning to cease funding journeys for presenters like Andi and Jeff to movie segments from tropical areas as a part of its newest cost-cutting measures.
Up to now this yr, Andi has reported from locations together with the Maldives, Australia, Cape City and Florida, whereas Jeff has travelled to Thailand, Sri Lanka and Malta.
The adjustments have been introduced in Could by Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Leisure Division, the place he had acknowledged the adjustments have been essential to “generate financial savings.”
He mentioned: “Daytime is a very vital a part of what we do, and these scheduling and manufacturing adjustments will allow us to proceed to ship a schedule offering viewers with the information, debate and dialogue they love from the presenters they know and belief as properly producing financial savings which can permit us to reinvest throughout the programme funds in different genres.”
“These adjustments additionally permit us to consolidate our information operations and broaden our nationwide, worldwide and regional information output and to construct upon our proud historical past of trusted journalism at a time when our viewers want correct, unbiased information protection greater than ever,” he continued.
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Nevertheless, a supply has revealed to The Mirror that some exhibits may very well be main right into a ‘dying spiral’, saying: “It’s not a case of viewers seeing much less of their exhibits… it’s not possible to see how the excessive requirements will stay the identical.
“Some employees imagine Free Ladies and Lorraine particularly will enter a dying spiral… it’s simply so unhappy. Only a handful of individuals shall be engaged on every of these two programmes which has big ramifications for a way they’re going ahead.”
