Two popular ITV daytime shows will not air for half the year following cuts made by the broadcasting bosses.
Loose Women and Lorraine have both taken a hit in ITV's new daytime TV schedule, announced earlier today (May 20).
This means that both chat shows will air for over half of the year (30 weeks), and Lorraine's episode runtime will be reduced from an hour to 30 minutes.
Good Morning Britain will also be extended, taking Lorraine’s nine to 10am slot for 22 weeks of the year.
For the remaining 30 weeks of the year, Lorraine will present five days a week.
ITV has decided to "cut resources on their daytime schedule so that the network can invest in more drama programmes".
It was also announced today that ITV Studios will no longer make Good Morning Britain but instead it will be made by ITN - the organisation which makes ITV News.
No changes have been made to This Morning.
Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, said: “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.
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Mr Lygo added: “I recognise that our plans will have an impact on staff off screen in our Daytime production teams, and we will work with ITV Studios and ITN as they manage these changes to produce the shows differently from next year, and support them through this transition.
“Daytime has been a core element of ITV’s schedule for over 40 years and these changes will set ITV up to continue to bring viewers award winning news, views and discussion as we enter our eighth decade.”
The news was reportedly announced in a staff meeting held by ITV Daytime boss Emma Gormley this afternoon (May 20).
Newsquest has contacted ITV for a comment.
