BBC News | UK POLITICS | Bring back News at Ten say MPs

ITV insists that it is too early to judge the impact of its schedule on evening news audiences.

Committee chairman Gerald Kaufman said that it would be a test of the ITC as a regulatory body to return the evening news bulletin to its previous slot.

If it failed that test, he suggested, the government should consider abolishing the body when it reviews broadcasting regulation in the next parliament.

"On the ITC's own criteria, they ought to bring back News at Ten," said Mr Kaufman.

"It will be a very important test of the ITC as a regulatory body whether they abide by own criteria and require ITV to put right, in the view of this committee, what they have put wrong."

There had been a "marked deterioration" in the audience of ITV news of approximately two million viewers, said Mr Kaufman.

"Although figures fluctuate, if you look at figures in our report in April last year, BBC led ITV by 10.8 million to 10.1 million.

'First class news'

"In the latest figures for January [this year], the BBC leads ITV news by 11.7 million to 9.1 million."

Mr Kaufman said the committee still regarded ITN as a quality news service.

"ITN is capable of delivering absolutely first class news," he said.

ITV moved its evening bulletin from its traditional time more than a year ago despite an outcry from politicians, including Prime Minister Tony Blair.

It was replaced with a later bulletin at 11pm. The early evening news was also moved, from 5.40pm to 6.30pm.

ITV said that the move was essential to allow the network to compete for audiences during the evening prime time, allowing it to broadcast more films and drama.

It said that while News at Ten was being dropped, the new Tonight with Trevor McDonald programme would provide additional current affairs coverage.

A spokesman for the ITC said: "Obviously we will take note of the committee report, but the commission has already made clear its intention to review the scheduling.

"It will be a thorough analysis which will also include findings of detailed research."


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