ITV’s Daytime Scheduling Overhaul Sparks Concerns
ITV is preparing to make significant changes to its daytime programming, which could lead to job losses across several shows. However, one of the network’s most popular presenters appears to be safe from the cuts. These adjustments have left both staff and viewers uncertain about the future of their favorite daytime programs.
As part of a broader strategy to cut costs, ITV has announced major changes to two of its flagship daytime shows: Loose Women and Lorraine. Starting in 2026, Lorraine Kelly’s morning program will be reduced to a 30-minute slot, airing from 9:30 am to 10:00 am instead of its current hour-long format. The show will also only be broadcast for 30 weeks of the year, which means that the stand-in hosts who currently take over when Lorraine is away will lose their jobs.
Similarly, Loose Women is expected to undergo a major transformation, with the show now scheduled to air on a seasonal basis for only 30 weeks per year. This shift has raised concerns among fans about whether their favorite shows might be canceled altogether.
Despite these changes, some stars appear to be unaffected. Richard Arnold, the entertainment news presenter on Good Morning Britain, has reportedly retained his position. He has been a key figure on the ITV morning show since it launched in 2014 and is known for his engaging style. According to sources, Arnold and his team, referred to as “RAP” (Richard Arnold Producers), are considered essential to the show’s success.
A source told The Sun: “Richard is one of ITV daytime’s best-loved faces, never mind on GMB. Viewers enjoy his slots and he remains very much part of the furniture.” However, not all presenters are as fortunate. Richard’s co-hosts, Andi Peters and Jeff Brazier, have faced a different fate.
Andi and Jeff have long been associated with the network’s travel segments, often appearing in exotic locations to encourage viewers to participate in contests. Their appearances have included trips to the Maldives, Australia, Cape Town, Florida, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malta. However, ITV has reportedly decided to stop funding such extravagant travel for presenters as part of its cost-cutting measures.
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, announced the changes in May, stating that they were necessary to “generate savings.” He emphasized that the restructuring would allow ITV to continue delivering high-quality programming while investing in other areas of the network. “Daytime is a really important part of what we do,” Lygo said. “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, while generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.”
However, some industry insiders believe the changes could have a negative impact on the quality of the shows. A source claimed that Loose Women and Lorraine may enter a “death spiral” due to the reduced number of staff working on them. “It’s not a case of viewers seeing less of their shows… it’s impossible to see how the high standards will remain the same,” the source said. “Some staff believe these two programmes will suffer significantly, with huge ramifications for how they are going forward.”
ITV and Richard Arnold’s representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, fans of the network’s daytime lineup are left wondering what the future holds for their favorite shows.
