ITV regional news pilot set for NE, Cumbria and ScotBorders

The government has selected the north-east, Cumbria and the Scottish borders as the pilot-scheme locations for a replacement ITV regional news service.

Ben Bradshaw, the culture secretary, announced the decision today, inviting bids from those wanting to form independently funded news consortiums to provide regional ITV1 news bulletins and other content for the area and other pilots in Scotland and Wales.

An independent panel will decide on the successful consortia for the three pilot schemes by March.

more ...

Media Guardian

From what I have heard IT will Run in conjection with the Scottish Pilot , So Scottish pilot will DO Whole of scotland. and this pilot will should cover English parts

But...

If STV get the contract for the Scottish pilot and go for the hour long integrated programme, ITVplc will almost certainly refuse to drop the ITV News at 6.30 in the former Border Scotland region.

Oh fun and games, fun and games. STV v ITVplc round 785.

I know its only in the initial stages but does this mean we will revert back to split programmes? With production based in Carlisle?

They're saying all the right things, even going as far as touting the possibility of a return of the Tyne Tees North/South opts. At the very least the trial should mean the reinstatement of separate evening bulletins, which, as this last week has shown, would be a good thing.

Interesting times ahead.