Exactly what will change as ITV Daytime cuts kick in: job losses; shows slashed; stars leaving
Lorraine, GMB, This Morning and Loose Women all affectedITV daytime is set for a major shake-up as the broadcaster implements sweeping changes following budget cuts – and viewers of its biggest daytime shows are going to notice the difference.
While none of ITV’s core daytime programmes have been cancelled outright, the likes of Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, This Morning and Loose Women will all look and feel different as the network moves forward with cost-saving measures.
Here’s everything we know so far about what’s changing – and what’s staying the same.
ITV daytime goes seasonal
One of the biggest changes affects Lorraine and Loose Women, which will no longer air all year round.
Instead, both shows will move to a seasonal schedule. Broadcasting for 30 weeks each year instead. As a result, they will lose more than 100 episodes annually.
ITV has yet to confirm the exact dates these programmes will be on air, but it’s thought they will follow a rough school-term pattern.
ITV daytime and studio changes amid cuts
Lorraine is also facing a cut to its runtime. The show will be reduced by half an hour to make way for an extended Good Morning Britain. When Lorraine is on air, it will now run from 9.30am until 10am. This is rather than its usual 9am to 10am slot. This means Good Morning Britain will stretch from 6am right through to 9.30am.
During the 22 weeks of the year when Lorraine is off air altogether, Good Morning Britain will be extended even further.
This Morning will continue to air in its usual slot between 10am and 12.30pm. Loose Women, meanwhile, will return to its former 12.30pm to 1.30pm slot.
Behind the scenes, This Morning, Lorraine and Loose Women are also on the move. All three shows are relocating to a new shared studio in central London as part of ITV’s cost-cutting plans. Although the programmes will remain live, Loose Women will no longer feature a live studio audience.
Good Morning Britain is also undergoing a production change. The show is set to be produced by ITV News at ITN going forward.
Who is leaving?
The reduction in Lorraine episodes has also led to a change in presenting duties. Ranvir Singh and Christine Lampard will no longer step in as stand-in hosts, with Lorraine Kelly now expected to present the show solo whenever it airs. Ranvir and Christine are, however, expected to continue appearing across ITV in other roles.
Loose Women has also been hit by job losses as a result of the changes. Long-serving warm-up act Lee Peart, who has been part of the show since 2017, has been let go following the decision to drop the live audience.
Producer Jordan Rowley has also been axed after four years on the show, with Ruth Langsford paying tribute to her “lovely friend” in a social media post.
Good Morning Britain is not immune either. US correspondent Noel Phillips is reportedly facing redundancy. Earlier this year, The Mail also claimed that Adil Ray could be at risk, although there has been no further update on his situation since.
According to The Mirror, around 220 jobs are being cut from ITV’s daytime team overall. While there has been widespread speculation about high-profile presenters being affected, the only confirmed departure so far is Andrew Pierce, who announced his exit in December.
Dr Hilary Jones also confirmed he’s leaving amid the upcoming ITV cuts.
What has ITV said?
Addressing what has been described as a “bloodbath” of redundancies and format changes, Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, said: “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 generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.
“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.”
