Key Highlights
- This Morning’s show was cut short with an unexpected announcement from Ben Shephard.
- The program will end 20 minutes earlier than its usual time on Thursday (November 26).
- The change is linked to budgetary considerations and upcoming programming adjustments.
- Similar changes have been implemented across ITV’s daytime shows, including Loose Women.
This Morning’s Unusual Shortening: A Sneak Peek at ITV’s Daytime Revamp
In a surprising turn of events on Thursday (November 26), viewers tuned into This Morning expecting the usual lineup of celebrity interviews, health tips, and lifestyle discussions. However, what they got was an abrupt announcement from host Ben Shephard, informing the audience that the show would be wrapping up earlier than planned.
Unscheduled Change at the Top
Just minutes into the episode, as the hosts were starting to delve into the day’s top stories, Ben Shephard made a sudden announcement. “We are here with you until 12:10pm because everyone is excited about the budget,” he stated, before adding that they would be booting off early but assuring viewers that ITV News would continue to provide updates as needed.
Loose Women’s Adjustment
The timing of This Morning’s shortened episode came a day after Loose Women was removed from its regular slot. The panel show, which typically runs from 12:30pm to 1:30pm on weekdays, was taken off air due to budgetary constraints. Its return is expected on Thursday (November 27) at the same time.
ITV’s Daytime Show Revisions
This change in scheduling marks a part of broader adjustments ITV has made across its daytime lineup. Lorraine’s show will now run for just 30 minutes, from 9:30am to 10am, operating on a seasonal duration for 30 weeks each year. Meanwhile, Good Morning Britain is set to undergo significant time changes, broadcasting for three and a half hours routinely with the possibility of stretching to four hours during Lorraine’s downtime.
Loose Women will revert to a 30-week pattern similar to their pre-2016 setup, with these timetable modifications set to commence from January 2026.
Kevin Lygo, Managing Director of ITV’s Media and Entertainment Division, explained the rationale behind these changes: “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 alterations are part of ITV’s ongoing effort to streamline its daytime programming while ensuring that it continues to deliver high-quality content. Viewers can expect to see more focused and efficient shows, reflecting the network’s commitment to maintaining relevance and quality in the competitive television landscape.
Conclusion
The unexpected changes at This Morning serve as a reminder of the dynamic nature of TV schedules. As ITV continues to adapt its programming strategies, viewers will have to stay tuned for further updates that could shape their viewing habits in the coming months and years.
