ITV's chief executive has confessed to losing sleep over a major restructuring plan that will see more than 220 staff members lose their jobs and popular daytime shows like Loose Women and Lorraine significantly scaled back.
Major Shake-Up at the Broadcaster
Speaking at a red-carpet event before Christmas, Dame Carolyn McCall opened up about the difficult decisions behind the broadcaster's cost-cutting drive. The former easyJet boss admitted the human impact of the changes, which are expected to take effect next week, had been a heavy burden.
"I did lose sleep over this," Dame Carolyn told The Mail's Richard Eden. "These are not easy things. From a human point of view, it's very difficult." She emphasised the company's duty of care, stating ITV would treat affected staff well and communicate openly throughout the process.
What the Changes Mean for Daytime TV
The sweeping changes, first announced in May 2025, are part of an effort to achieve what Loose Women panellist Janet Street-Porter previously called a "massive amount" of savings. A key outcome will be a drastic reduction in the annual broadcast schedule for flagship programmes.
According to reports, both Lorraine and Loose Women will now air for just 30 weeks per year, a substantial cut from their previous year-round output. Dame Carolyn defended the move as a "sensible decision" in response to shifting audience habits.
"You're going to see Loose Women. You're going to see Lorraine," she assured fans, while adding, "Viewing habits have changed - we can't deny that. This makes daytime [television] more resilient."
Financial Pressures and Behind-the-Scenes Advocacy
The cuts come against a backdrop of significant financial pressure for ITV. In July 2025, Janet Street-Porter revealed on the Off Air with Jane and Fi podcast that the broadcaster's advertising revenue had been "diminishing hugely." She explained that after years of expansion, show numbers were being cut back to their original level.
Street-Porter also disclosed she had personally lobbied ITV Studios managing director Kevin Lygo to save Loose Women, a show she argued provides a valuable service. "It talks about things women are interested in, in a pretty straightforward way. It gives people a bit of a laugh in the middle of the day," she said.
When asked if the show would continue, she responded emphatically: "Yes, course it's carrying on! Of course it's carrying on. It's carrying on for 30 weeks of next year and maybe more if I can bully Kevin Lygo into submission." She later clarified her reference to bullying was meant metaphorically.
As ITV prepares to implement these changes, the focus remains on navigating a challenging media landscape while attempting to preserve its most beloved daytime offerings.
