ITV requests cut in kids' output

Julia DayWednesday August 23, 2006
MediaGuardian.co.uk

ITV has submitted an official request to Ofcom asking for its commitment to children's programming on flagship channel ITV1 to be drastically reduced.

The media regulator has confirmed the broadcaster has submitted a paper setting out proposals to cut children's output on ITV from the current level of eight hours a week.
"We have received a written request from ITV to reduce its children's programming obligations," said a spokeswoman. "The level is currently set at eight hours, which ITV sets itself in its statement of programme policy, but it needs to consult Ofcom if the level significantly changes."

She said the media regulator would consider ITV's request in the autumn.
The broadcaster is believed to want to cut its children's output on ITV1 to as little as two hours a week by removing all programming from ITV1's weekday schedule to only leave a weekend presence.

A spokesman for ITV said the broadcaster would not comment on its consultations with Ofcom.
Earlier this month, the ITV controller of children's programming, Estelle Hughes, resigned as the scale of the broadcaster's cutbacks in the genre became clear.
Ms Hughes oversees the commissioning of children's programming for both ITV1 and the CiTV digital channel.

The broadcaster has also announced it is to sell off its in-house children's production unit.