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DAYTIME MASSACRE
Loose Women & Lorraine episodes AXED for half the year in brutal schedule shake-up after crisis talks
Lorraine is also getting cut by 30 minutes and will no longer need guest presenters filling in for the star
ITV bosses have axed Loose Women and Lorraine episodes for 22 weeks of the year, in a brutal shake up of their Daytime schedule.
A meeting was held today in which production teams and talent were updated on the plans, which also include cutting Lorraine episodes by 30mins and extending Good Morning Britain.
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From January 2026, Lorraine, which is fronted by Lorraine Kelly, will air daily from 9.30am until 10am, a change from its current 9am to 10am slot.
In a further change amid ITV's financial woes, it will now broadcast for only 30 weeks of the year meaning stand-in presenters who are currently used in presenter Kelly's absence will no longer be needed for the remaining 22 weeks.
GMB will run from 6am until 9.30am, extending its current slot of 6am until 9am. It will be produced by a dedicated team within ITV News at ITN.
On the weeks when Lorraine is off air, GMB's broadcast will be extended until 10am.
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ITV said it was also looking at a proposal that would see Lorraine, This Morning, and Loose Women produced by one team - sharing resources and operations, in a move that would cut costs.
The three shows will be made by ITV Studios and broadcast from a new location in central London.
This Morning and Loose Women are unaffected by scheduling changes and will remain in their regular slots of 10.30am to 12.30pm and 12.30pm to 1.30pm, respectively.
However, Loose Women will broadcast fewer episodes - airing "on a seasonal basis for 30 weeks of the year" say ITV.
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While on-screen talent will remain secure in their roles, some production staff will be victims of the reshuffle.
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, said: “Daytime is a really important part of what we do, and 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 as well generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.
“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.”
It is hoped the changes will help fund award-winning, agenda-setting dramas like Mr Bates vs The Post Office and coverage of sporting competitions like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The reshuffle comes amid a desperate cost-cutting drive at the broadcaster.
Susanna Reid announces break from GMB saying she'll be off screen for WEEKS in show shake up
Earlier this year, ITV announced it would be slashing its soap schedule to try and make savings on Coronation Street and Emmerdale.
From January 2026, the two serial dramas will air as 30-minute episodes to create a soap “power hour” from Monday-Friday.
There has also been the suggestion the channel is considering offers from RedBird IMI and Banijay for its ITV Studios arm, which makes everything from Love Island to Rivals.
Defending the share price at last week’s AGM, ITV chairman Andrew Cosslett responded to questions about a looming deal.
He said: “If someone approaches the company with an offer to talk, that’s something we have to take seriously because we’re representing your interests.
“And it’s very clear from the room that there is a high level of interest in the share price and the value of the business.
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“So we have to accommodate any requests and conversations that take place.
“But our current strategy is very clear and it's making the best of what we have in combination.”
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