LONDON (Brand Republic) – ITV is expected to announce on later today (Thursday) whether its nightly news programme is to return to its old slot at 10pm.
The ITC last month asked the network to move its 11pm Nightly News show to an earlier slot in an attempt to halt tumbling viewing figures. ITV has so far refused. It argues that the 11pm show allows films and evening dramas to be broadcast uninterrupted. If ITV does not agree to change its news schedule it could face court action from the industry regulator.
Audience figures have dived 14% since the show moved to 11pm –- a loss of one million viewers. The network said it implemented the change to stop the long-term decline in its peaktime audience and to increase the range and diversity of the evening schedule. There are now more documentaries, current affairs and sports programmes in peaktime, it said.
The ITC became involved with the decision because under the Broadcast Act, free-to-air TV channels are required to broadcast high quality news programmes to mass audiences. The regulator gave the go-ahead for the change initially, but with the condition that it would be reviewed.