I think this is the first time ITN won't have had a regular double-headed news programme since the original News at Ten began in 1967, which seems a bit of a shame to me. I know these days we have to look at the cost of everything, but I like double-headed presentation and I wish we had more of it. I think it makes for more variety over the course of the programme, and it makes for a warmer experience, which is why I think it's perfect for that programme in that slot.
I mean, I know if you look at the balance sheet it could easily be single headed, but it shouldn't have to be if they think it would make for a better programme. You just make savings elsewhere. So, what a shame.
Although I agree it's a shame to see all double headed presentation go this feels more like an editorial decision than a cost cutting decision. They had three options really:
ITV could have got Alastair back and whilst many of us would have loved to see that realistically it's not a long term solution now, plus if they were strictly sticking with a male/female partnership with Mark gone they would need to establish cover for Alastair too. I guess James Mates would probably be the leading contender but he still has more value as a correspondent IMO.
The second was to bring in a new co-host, probably from outside ITV News. This would have been my preferred option and perhaps they did look at that option and just didn't get anywhere with it.
That leaves the third option as the one they've gone with - going solo. This does feel like less of a cost cutting move than when the BBC did it and it's a role Mary Nightingale is more than capable of. It might also just be enough to freshen up a programme which by it's nature is quite formulaic - though I doubt they'd go anywhere near as far as they did with News at Ten.
What will be interesting is who they make Mary's prominent cover. As I said before I would like to see Julie take that role and along with Tom the three of them be pushed as the main faces of ITV News, with Julie covering both shows and between them she should get 3 bulletins a week I'd have thought.
I suspect though Julie will remain solely as News at Ten cover so it'll be a fight between Alastair, Charlene and Ranvir to cover just one role where previously between them they covered two. Alastair would clearly be the best for that job but I suspect it'll be the latter two alternating, and ultimately Alastair leaving the Lunchtime News as well.
