Most of ITV's biggest presenting stars will keep their jobs despite the broadcaster's severe financial crisis and sweeping budget cuts, as the Daily Mail reports. More than half of the 440 behind-the-scenes staff face redundancy as ITV's earnings allegedly plummeted 44 per cent to £99 million during the first six months of the year, according to the Mirror.
Kate Garraway and Adil Ray, who regularly host Good Morning Britain, are considered safe amid the upheaval, the Daily Mail confirmed. Long-serving presenters Julie Etchingham and Tom Bradby will also retain their positions fronting ITV News programmes, whilst Richard Madeley has agreed to a short-term deal to continue his presenting duties.
Emotional toll on presenters
Some stars are reportedly struggling with guilt over keeping their positions whilst production colleagues lose their jobs, according to the Daily Star. Susanna Reid is said to be "devastated" by the chaos surrounding the cuts, with sources telling the outlet that presenter morale has been severely affected.
An industry insider told the Daily Star: "For people like Susanna and Kate, it has been devastating to watch their staff treated like this. Some of the stars wish they could do something to change it."
Lorraine Kelly's departure
Lorraine Kelly will leave ITV when her current contract expires next year, with sources describing it as an "open secret" at the broadcaster, the Mirror reports. The presenter, who has worked for ITV for more than 40 years, is reportedly "furious" about major cuts to her eponymous show.
Her programme will be slashed from year-round broadcasting to just 30 weeks annually starting in January 2026, with the duration halved to run from 9:30am to 10am, according to industry sources. A source told the Mirror: "Lorraine sees it as the end. She's got a year left on her contract which she will honour, but beyond that there are no plans for her to stay."
Schedule overhaul planned
Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes under the new arrangements, running from 6am to 9:30am during weeks when Lorraine airs, Yorkshire sources confirm. During the 22 weeks when Lorraine is off air, Good Morning Britain will run from 6am to 10am instead.
Loose Women will also be reduced to a seasonal basis of just 30 weeks per year whilst maintaining its 12:30pm to 1:30pm slot, according to the broadcasting changes taking effect in 2026. This Morning will remain in its current 10am to 12:30pm weekday slot throughout the year.
Management justification
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV's Media and Entertainment Division, defended the sweeping changes as necessary cost-cutting measures. He explained that the scheduling and production changes will "generate savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres" whilst consolidating news operations.
The changes come as ITV faces mounting pressure to reduce costs in an increasingly competitive streaming landscape, with the broadcaster seeking to maintain viewer loyalty whilst implementing significant behind-the-scenes reductions.
Sources used: "PA Media", "Daily Mail", "Mirror", "Daily Star", "Yorkshire"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
