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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| ITV to merge regional newsrooms | ITV to merge regional newsrooms |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Broadcaster ITV is hoping to reduce its number of regional newsrooms from 17 to nine by merging some services. | Broadcaster ITV is hoping to reduce its number of regional newsrooms from 17 to nine by merging some services. |
| The broadcaster aims to save between £35m and £40m a year to invest in programmes with the closures, but must get permission from regulator Ofcom. | The broadcaster aims to save between £35m and £40m a year to invest in programmes with the closures, but must get permission from regulator Ofcom. |
| The London, Granada and Wales regional services will be the only ones unaffected by the proposed changes. | The London, Granada and Wales regional services will be the only ones unaffected by the proposed changes. |
| The mergers are part of ITV boss Michael Grade's five year plan to improve programming. | The mergers are part of ITV boss Michael Grade's five year plan to improve programming. |
| As part of the shake-up ITV plans to merge its West and Westcountry news shows - but the new programme would include short, recorded sections containing additional local content. | As part of the shake-up ITV plans to merge its West and Westcountry news shows - but the new programme would include short, recorded sections containing additional local content. |
| The same is planned for the Border and Tyne Tees regions as well as the East and West Midlands and the Meridian and Thames Valley areas. | The same is planned for the Border and Tyne Tees regions as well as the East and West Midlands and the Meridian and Thames Valley areas. |
| 'Change needed' | |
| In a letter to staff, Mr Grade warned that the current set-up is not sustainable. | In a letter to staff, Mr Grade warned that the current set-up is not sustainable. |
| PROPOSED SERVICES London TonightCentral TonightGranada ReportsMeridian TonightCalendarAnglia TonightWest/WestcountryBorder/Tyne TeesWales Tonight ITV aims for top spot | |
| He said that if steps are not taken to save money now, the firm "could end up losing entirely something that - had we acted sooner - could have been sustained". | He said that if steps are not taken to save money now, the firm "could end up losing entirely something that - had we acted sooner - could have been sustained". |
| However, broadcast union Bectu criticised the move saying it marked a "further significant and damaging step by the broadcaster away from its public service broadcasting" commitments. | |
| The union added the "swingeing" cuts would leave many of the 1,045 people currently employed by the ITV News Group at risk of losing their job. | |
| He wants to double the amount ITV makes from its content to £1.2bn by 2012, but any extra spending will have to come from saving money throughout the business. | He wants to double the amount ITV makes from its content to £1.2bn by 2012, but any extra spending will have to come from saving money throughout the business. |
| It also plans to sell some non-core assets such as its stakes in the websites of Arsenal and Liverpool football clubs. | It also plans to sell some non-core assets such as its stakes in the websites of Arsenal and Liverpool football clubs. |