Key Highlights
- Ruth Langsford admits she has no control over her work schedule after ITV’s significant changes to its daytime programming.
- ITV is reducing the run of Loose Women from 52 weeks to just 30, alongside planned redundancies.
- Lorraine Kelly’s eponymous show will also be trimmed to 30 weeks with its duration halved from an hour to 30 minutes.
- Ruth Langsford discusses her work with QVC and her future plans in the entertainment industry.
ITV Announces Major Changes to Daytime Programming
In a significant shift for ITV’s daytime lineup, the broadcaster has announced substantial changes that will impact several of its programs. At the forefront of this upheaval is Loose Women, where Ruth Langsford has been a long-standing presenter. The show, which had run for 52 weeks annually, will now be scaled down to just 30 weeks.
Additionally, planned redundancies are expected to affect both Loose Women and Lorraine Kelly’s eponymous daytime program, which will also see its duration reduced from an hour to half the time.
These changes come as ITV seeks to streamline its daytime offerings and generate savings that can be reinvested in other genres. Kevin Lygo, managing director of ITV’s media and entertainment division, emphasized the importance of these alterations, stating: “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 as generating savings which will allow us to reinvest across the programme budget in other genres.” These measures aim to consolidate ITV’s news operations and expand its national, international, and regional news output during a critical time for accurate, unbiased journalism.
Ruth Langsford Reflects on Her Career
Despite these changes, Ruth Langsford expressed her commitment to continuing in the entertainment industry. Having celebrated her 65th birthday earlier this year, she remains enthusiastic about her future prospects: “I’ve done all sorts of things, obviously, outside ITV as well. And I love working; I have no plans to retire anytime soon.” Langsford’s career spans over three decades and includes presenting roles on both Loose Women and QVC.
She launched her own clothing collection with the latter, describing it as an “amazing range” that has grown significantly over seven years.
Reflecting on her work at QVC, Ruth commented: “QVC came to me kind of left field. I didn’t see it coming, I’ve never looked for it, I never saw myself as any kind of fashionista at all.” This casual approach to her career contrasts with the structured changes happening around her. She further noted that QVC is one of the nicest places she has worked, highlighting the supportive environment that allowed her to venture into a new area successfully.
Impact on Daytime Programming and Future Prospects
The reshaping of ITV’s daytime schedule signifies broader shifts in how networks manage their content to maintain relevance and efficiency. For Loose Women and Lorraine Kelly, these changes are not just about reduced airtime but also about adjusting to the evolving needs of audiences. As Ruth Langsford navigates this landscape, her response underscores the resilience required in a rapidly changing media environment.
The future for daytime television remains uncertain as networks balance innovation with financial constraints. However, for individuals like Ruth Langsford, who have established themselves over years, finding ways to adapt and continue their careers is both a challenge and an opportunity.
