ITV's 2026 schedule shake-up is causing a stir as budget cuts lead to shorter show times for beloved programs. The broadcaster's new lineup, effective today, has fans reeling, especially those who tuned in to 'Lorraine' and 'Good Morning Britain.'
The changes come after a significant behind-the-scenes job cut, resulting in a reshuffling of the daytime schedule. 'Good Morning Britain' now starts at 6 a.m. and runs until 9:30 a.m., extending its airtime by half an hour. However, this means 'Lorraine' has been shortened by 30 minutes, leaving fans to tune in at 9:30 a.m. instead of 9 a.m. 'This Morning' remains unaffected, concluding at its usual time of 12:30 p.m.
'Loose Women,' while maintaining its runtime, will now air for only 30 weeks annually. These adjustments have come at a cost, with 220 jobs lost across ITV's daytime TV staff. 'Good Morning Britain,' along with 'This Morning' and 'Loose Women,' have been relocated to the ITN Studios in Central London, while other ITV daytime shows will be filmed at The H Club in Covent Garden.
Despite the changes, ITV's boss Kevin Lygo remains optimistic. He believes these scheduling and production changes will enable the channel to continue delivering a schedule that provides viewers with the news, debate, and discussion they love from trusted presenters. Additionally, the savings generated will allow for reinvestment across the program budget in other genres.
The move has sparked emotional farewells, with presenters and crew bidding a sad goodbye to the Television Centre. The iconic building, once home to 'Good Morning Britain' and other shows, is now a thing of the past. As the sets are dismantled, it's clear that this marks the end of an era for many long-time ITV staff.
