ITV has announced a significant overhaul of its daytime schedule, with Lorraine and Loose Women emerging as the biggest victims of the changes. Starting January, both shows will air for only 30 weeks of the year, a drastic reduction from their usual year-round presence.

Lorraine Faces a Shortened Slot

Presenter Lorraine Kelly’s beloved daily show will not only see fewer weeks on air but also a reduced runtime. The show’s usual one-and-a-half-hour slot will be cut by 30 minutes as ITV extends the Good Morning Britain (GMB) program.

According to ITV bosses, Good Morning Britain will now air from 6am until 9.30am, up from its previous 6am to 9am schedule, effectively pushing Lorraine’s start time later and shortening its daily broadcast.

Loose Women Also Slashed

The popular chat show Loose Women will follow suit, airing only 30 weeks per year. This reduction is expected to impact the show’s ability to cover the wide range of topics and special episodes that fans have come to expect throughout the year.

Reasons Behind the Changes

Industry insiders suggest the schedule shake-up is part of ITV’s strategy to strengthen its flagship morning show, Good Morning Britain, which has seen growing viewership in recent years. By extending GMB’s airtime, ITV aims to capitalize on its success and attract more advertisers during peak morning hours.

A spokesperson for ITV stated, “These changes are designed to provide viewers with a more focused and engaging morning schedule, allowing us to deliver top-quality content across all shows.”

Fan Reactions: Disappointment and Concern

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions from viewers and fans of both Lorraine and Loose Women. Social media platforms are buzzing with disappointment, with many expressing concern that the reductions may diminish the variety and quality of daytime TV.

One viewer tweeted, “Lorraine and Loose Women are staples of my mornings! Cutting their airtime feels like losing old friends.” Another added, “Extending Good Morning Britain is fine, but not at the expense of other shows that have loyal audiences.”

Impact on Presenters and Production Teams

The schedule cuts are expected to affect the production teams and on-air talent for both shows. While no official statements have been made regarding staffing changes, industry experts speculate that fewer episodes could lead to adjustments behind the scenes.

Lorraine Kelly herself has yet to comment publicly on the changes, though she remains a firm favorite among daytime viewers.

What This Means for ITV’s Daytime Lineup

With Good Morning Britain expanding its reach, ITV’s daytime schedule will likely see a shift toward a more news-focused and fast-paced morning segment. Meanwhile, fans of the more relaxed, conversational styles of Lorraine and Loose Women may find their viewing options limited.

ITV’s bold move to extend Good Morning Britain comes at a cost to long-running shows like Lorraine and Loose Women. As viewers adjust to the new daytime lineup, the network faces the challenge of balancing audience demand with strategic programming goals.