ITV News at 1:30

ITV News at 1:30
Format	National and international news
Presented by	Alastair Stewart
Country of origin	United Kingdom
Production
Producer(s)	ITN
Running time	22 minutes
Broadcast
Original channel	ITV (ITV1/STV/UTV)
Original run	16 October 1972 – present

The ITV News at 1:30 is the weekday afternoon news programme on the British television network, ITV. It is produced by ITN.

The programme is presented by a single newscaster; however in the event of a major story, another newscaster will be on location. Alastair Stewart is currently the main newscaster. The programme features twenty-two minutes of national and international news as well as a weather forecast, followed by six minutes of regional news from the ITV regions at 1:54 pm.

On paper, the ITV News at 1:30 airs in its usual time slot and has its usual running time on Bank Holidays. However, in practice it doesn't, as on working days the national news is scheduled to run from 1.29 pm to 1.51 pm, followed by a weather forecast, adverts and then a regional news from 1.54 pm to 2.01 pm, then straight in to the next programme. On Bank Holidays it is scheduled to run from 1.32 pm to 1.45 pm followed a weather forecast, adverts and then a regional news from 1.49 pm to 1.56 pm, then more adverts before the next programme.

History

The first ITN lunchtime bulletin was launched on 16 October 1972 - First Report aired at 12:40pm and was anchored by Robert Kee. In 1974 First Report was moved to 1pm. In 1976, Leonard Parkin and Peter Sissons began alternating as the programme's main newscasters, and First Report was renamed News at One.

In 1987, the programme moved to 12:30pm (and thus renamed News at 12:30), and Julia Somerville made a move from the BBC to become the main newscaster. Jon Snow also presented the programme at this time. The following year, a revamp in ITV's daytime schedules saw the bulletin moved back to 1pm and became News at One again. A more comprehensive relaunch, with a new set and graphics, came in 1989, at which time John Suchet took over as the main newscaster; in early 1991 the bulletin returned to the 12:3pm slot and became News at 12:30 again.

In 1992 the programme was renamed the Lunchtime News; double-headed presentation was also adopted with Nicholas Owen and Carol Barnes becoming the bulletin's main newscasters. In 1995, all ITN news bulletins were revamped using a cohesive blue look, and a further change was made when Dermot Murnaghan and the returning Julia Somerville became the main newscasters.

On 8 March 1999, all of ITV's news output was relaunched again, and the bulletin was retitled the ITV Lunchtime News, with John Suchet returning alongside Somerville. On 23 June 2003, the programme reverted to single presentation with Nicholas Owen as the main newscaster.^[1] However, dual presentation returned on 2 February 2004, when ITV News received another relaunch, and Owen was joined by Katie Derham. In early 2007, Owen left for the BBC, and Alastair Stewart took his place.

On 27 July 2009, the bulletin returned to single presentation once again for continuity and presentation reasons, with Katie Derham and Alastair Stewart taking turns to present. Derham left ITV News in June 2010,^[2] leaving Stewart as the sole main newscaster.

Newscasters

Main newscaster

Years	Newscasters	Other roles
2007–present	Alastair Stewart	ITV News at 6:30 newscaster

Other newscasters

Years	Newscasters	Other roles
2010–present	Andrea Benfield	Wales Tonight newscaster
2004–present	Nina Hossain	London Tonight newscaster
2011–2012	Natasha Kaplinsky
2002–present	James Mates	Senior Correspondent
2006–2007; 2010–present	Daisy McAndrew	Special Correspondent
2009–present	Mary Nightingale	ITV News at 6:30 newscaster
2005–present	Steve Scott	Sports Editor
2006–present	Romilly Weeks

Former newscasters

Mark Austin - relief presenter, 2010–2011 Carol Barnes - relief presenter, 1983–1998 Felicity Barr - relief presenter, 2001–2005 Sally Biddulph - relief presenter, 2009 Andrea Catherwood - relief presenter, 2003–2007 Katie Derham - presenter, 2004–2010 Shiulie Ghosh - relief presenter, 2000–2004 Alexandra Hill - relief presenter, 2009 Robert Kee - presenter, 1972–1976 Lucy Meacock - relief presenter, 2007–2009

Dermot Murnaghan - presenter, 1993–1999 Nicholas Owen - presenter, 1992–1999; 2002–2007 Leonard Parkin - presenter, 1976–1987 Sonia Ruseler - presenter, 1992–1994 Peter Sissons - presenter, 1976–1987 Jon Snow - presenter, 1987–1988 Julia Somerville - presenter, 1987–2000 John Suchet - presenter, 1989–2003 Geraint Vincent - relief presenter, 2006–2010

References

1. ^ http://tvnews.thetvroomplus.com/news-204.html
2. ^ Robinson, James (21 April 2010). "Katie Derham leaving ITN for BBC". MediaGuardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2010/apr/21/katie-derham-itn-bbc. Retrieved 21 April 2010. 

External links

ITV News at itv.com ITN.co.uk

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