ITV Lunchtime News moves to 1.30; cut to 30mins

Full story: http://media.guardian.co.uk/broadcast/story/0,,1824364,00.html

The half hour format was always better - actually had more news in it, though the current version has improved alot since The Pulse was axed!


What I don't get is why ITV are seemingly making their afternoon daytime slot longer considering they have struggled for years to just fill a couple of hours!

If nothing else this will mean a reduction in regional news (What a surprise!!)

The afternoon regional news was dropped before CITV because the regional news was extended during the lunchtime news but if the LN moves back to 30 minutes it'll mean a reduction in regional news with no replacement - unless they'll buck the trend and re-introduce the 3.10 bulletin?

the current regional lunchtime buletins are about 10 mins too long anyway.

Thank god. I have found the Lunchtime News impossible to watch for the past year or so. As a poster above has said, it's time to bring back some 'real' news.

As much as I want it to, I can't imagine this reduction in time would increase the quality of the bulletin (except for the fact The Pulse or whatever will not be shown - I hope). ITV News went to the dogs a long time ago.

I agree with the sentiments already expressed, the hour long edition is plain awful. I hate the running order, the padding, the lifestyle features, the fluff - it's just wrong.

Get it back to a straight 30 minutes of news and give it back to Nick on his own.

I've seen a few 10.30's this week and I've they've actually been filled with proper international news, and some decent journalism to boot. They should replicate that at lunchtime.

I appear to be in the minority as far as this forum is concerned but I don't think the current format is all that bad, particularly given the schedule that it is designed to fit into. I can't think of any likely replacement that I'd rather see fill the time made available by it being shortened.

If it was to be shortened I would rather it was to 30 minutes (effectively 25 once the breaks have been taken into account), with the local news as a separate 10 - 15 minute programme.
Also, I don't see a problem continuing with two presenters, otherwise Katie would be my first choice with Nick as cover.



Just about every bulletin has been dominated by events in the Lebanon, (it even featured on today's London Tonight), so it's probably not a representative week for making comparisons of that kind.

I dont think its such a bad idea to revert to the 30 minute bulletin at lunchtime, although the regional news should really follow at 1pm so we do get half hour of national news.

I would like to see regional news back at 12.20, with the Lunchtime News following 10 minutes later.

That could be easier to schedule, as it would be easier cutting This Morning by 10 minutes rather than have the local news at 1pm and have afternoon programmes start from 1.10pm

Why not have a 30 Minute Regional Programme.

eg Granada Today, London Today (AGAIN)