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Friday, 23 June 2006, 11:47 GMT 12:47 UK

ITV cuts drama and makeover shows

Pam Ferris and Felicity Kendall ITV is to scale back production of expensive dramas and makeover shows as part of a drive to save £100m.

The broadcaster said it would reduce production of "underperforming" one or two-part dramas in order to concentrate on long-running series.

It will also show fewer makeover and lifestyle programmes during the day, and aims to buy more US series.

The announcement comes in the same week that ITV announced it would stop making children's programmes in-house.

The broadcaster is shaking up its output in an attempt to hold on to its audience and advertisers, as viewers switch from analogue to digital using services such as Freeview.

Earlier this month, it scrapped programmes including Today With Des And Mel, Celebrity Fit Club and drama Rosemary and Thyme.

'More risks'

At the time, ITV's director of TV, Simon Shaps, said he wanted the broadcaster to "take more risks" and spend its drama budget on "contemporary, less predictable" programmes.

The broadcaster says it will review the future of one-off documentaries and wildlife programmes, and wants to establish more long-running entertainment formats, such as I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here or X Factor.

The planned £100m savings will come from cutting programme budgets, reducing overheads and spending less on sports programming.

ITV is also looking for new ways to generate cash, and last year bought hit website Friends Reunited to provide another opportunity to sell advertising.

The firm is rumoured to be the target of a takeover attempt by private equity group Kohlberg Kravis Roberts.



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Related to this story:
ITV swings axe to revive channel (12 May 06 |  Entertainment )
ITV buys Friends Reunited website (06 Dec 05 |  Business )
ITV ad earnings slide continues (21 Jun 06 |  Business )
New ITV channel as profits rise (08 Mar 06 |  Business )
ITV ceases children's production (20 Jun 06 |  Entertainment )

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