News at Ten - Weeknights on ITV1

I must disagree with you there.

This is all about competing and having the balls to go back on some crazy idea that failed. It IS a very hard decision but I believe the correct decision.

Nothing has worked in that 10pm slot and post-news at 23:05 onwards has been a total mess.(They couldnt even leave Supernatural in its place!)

This plan tidies up the whole schedule and leaves the 22:45 - 00:00 slot vacant for some more 'adventurous' youth-type programming.

I expect it is so Trevor can have an easy gig and one that fits his traditional way of presenting

So Trevor will do the straight reads and bring the type of gravitas that he brings, If any walking about is needed, presentations, interviews etc Julie will do them

Although it's a good move IMO, The only negative point is that at the moment nobody really knows or cares what the ITV News at 10.30 gets in the ratings. Now it'll be a very public ratings war that is reported above the rest of the schedule in MediaGuardian etc

It also means that the post 10pm slot is more significant, at the moment there is the feel of 10pm being a dumping ground and 11pm being too late for anything decent. 10.30pm is a proper hour long slot for proper programmes

BGT is apparently going to air weekly on Saturdays next series so this shouldnt be an issue.

I haven't heard this. Actually, quite the opposite. ITV's head of entertainment was quoted as saying it would be difficult to have it weekly because of Simon's busy schedule and so the only way would be to keep it as a week long, stripped show.

I agree there. I cannot see why they are bringing back News at 10. If it didnt work in 2001 why will it work now?

It seems that because they cannot get anything to work in the 10pm slot they are going for the easy option of showing the news at 10pm. They are still going to have the same problems finding anything decent for 10.30pm. Also some dramas run for 90 minutes so would have to be split with the last half hour after the news. And it will be up against the BBC News as well.

Well im only saying what I heard, Im sure it was mentioned on this very forum by someone.

There are no new 90 minute commissions. All new drama series are being made to 60 minutes, and any that aren't will go out Sunday.

Other than the long dramas, I can't think of many successful 10pm shows. Probably only Benidorm and the Anne Widdecombe show, and things like I'm A Celeb.

we might get our two parter back

Okay...I wasn't having a go.

I know many people expected this to happen but I don't think that will be the case.

Well I would be happy to see Julie try her hand with News at Ten...but I cannot understand why Nina, Mary or Katie cannot co present such a show?

I have to say that 'if' News at Ten did come back (and I hope it will) I would have to agree with those who say that bringing Trevor back is a odd decision. Why not have Alistair Stewart be the lead anchor for such a show. Alistair IMO should be the lead newscaster at ITV News in any case (even if Trevor comes back I doubt they'll revert back to signing off with 'ITN' after reports).

I also wonder how this will be digested by 'golden boy' Mark Austin should it be true!!

Hmmm...never thought it would happen to be honest.

You can certainly see it from ITV's point of view - brownie points for OFCOM for returning the beloved timeslot and better programming slot post NAT (as mentioned they've not done anything with the 10pm slot)

But as others have said, is there really anything different to when it was resurrected the first time around? For NAT to work, they need a unique "nightly" set like the old one - it made it seem like the flagship news programme.

In some ways it's a bit sad they've resorted to getting Trevor back - nothing against him personally or his presentation (I only really ever knew NAT with him at the helm) but you'd think ITN (or ITV?) would have the conviction to use either Mark or Alistair straight off.

I can't see much difference in ratings to when they last went head to head with the Beeb.

I think it'll get slaughtered in the ratings and provide a convenient excuse to cut back news programming as DSO approaches. Sir Trev won't have a long-term contract.