Blog Post

ITV News Small Talk

For ITV News, it’s all about telling stories. That’s what Andrew Dagnell, Head of News Gathering at ITV News, explained when he spoke at our latest (virtual) Small Talk. Of course all broadcasters say that, but as an ex ITN journalist and regular viewer of the UK’s biggest commercial station myself, I agree, ITV News is excellent at finding the sweet spot that keeps its audience engaged.

At the heart of the news, the narrative

Whist of course ITV News competes with the BBC and other national broadcasters, it doesn’t necessarily want to replicate the corporation. It has the fraction of the resources for a start, but it’s also going for a slightly different audience. Unique and investigative journalism is one way of ticking this box; an on-going investigation into poor council housing for example, is a story they’re claiming as their own. Abuse in gymnastics was another.

Lunchtime News

As with all broadcasters it’s interesting to see how the news programmes evolve over the course of a day. The lunch time news, normally presented by Nina Hussain, is what Andrew calls, “the first stab of the day.” It features lots of live interviews, either on location or with ITV News’ reporters in the studio. It’s news but with a flavour of the daytime programming it follows – discursive is a word Andrew used several times, dynamic was another adjective.

Teatime News

The teatime news, however, is the most watched of the ITV News bulletins, with between 3 and 4 million viewers. As with other news outlets audiences soared at the beginning of the pandemic. This one, Andrew explained, is a programme of record, featuring the news of the day. Punchy, pithy with short packages although it’s still a comprehensive summing up of the day’s events. Breaking news, crime, human interest and the “and finally” punctuate the programme.

News At Ten

News At Ten is the flagship programme. It’s like the teatime news, but more in-depth. Analysis is at the heart of each story, an explanation of what’s happened behind the headlines. It has more international stories than the other bulletins and, within the constraint of the 8 or so stories that comprise the programme, is “a window on the world.”

ITV’s Digital Platform

Over the last decade or so all broadcasters have been given a run for their money by digital channels and this is a world that ITV News has fully embraced. It’s not a case of TV or digi, Andrew explained. The two are combined as one product and ITV journalists work across them both. Facebook and Twitter are particularly important and the channel is expanding into Instagram and TikTok too. There’s a new bespoke service too: “The Run Down” is aimed at young people.

The Covid Impact

ITV News may be a commercial organisation but Andrew says it sees itself as a public service broadcaster, put to the test, as with other broadcasters during the Covid pandemic. As the world tried to understand what was happening, ITV News slipped into a supporting role with reporting from its health, political and business editors. Ratings went through the roof. But the broadcaster didn’t forget its mission of putting people at the heart of the news. Those most disadvantaged by the virus were the focus, such as victims of domestic abuse. A team was specially put together to focus on these types of stories.

The emphasis is now moving to recovery and what does this look like in a post pandemic world. Young people have been pinpointed by many as having been hit hard by the pandemic. ITV News’ idea involves following twelve young people throughout 2021, dipping in and out of their lives to see how they’re coping as Covid restrictions lift.

So What About Broadcast PR?

More Blog Posts

People using social media on their phones
8. Apr 2025

While there are countless ways to engage with an audience on social media, one of the most powerful forms of content is video. With its ability to captivate, inform, and entertain, video production has emerged as a key driver in social media engagement.
In this blog, we’ll explore how video production is revolutionising social media engagement, the reason why it works so well, and how you can leverage video to enhance your social media success going forward.

Two men and a television camera
31. Mar 2025

When it comes to broadcast PR, the way in which you present yourself in front of the media is crucial. It’s not just about your key messages but also about how you deliver them. Media training prepares spokespeople for media appearances which can include broadcast and print interviews, press conferences and even public speaking events like webinars or keynote speeches. The training focuses on your communication skills, helping you deliver your key messages in an effective way and giving you strategies to handle tricky questions.

woman wearing sunglasses standing infront of a wall of roses
24. Mar 2025

But what makes authenticity so vital in marketing? And why do brand ambassadors matter in cultivating an authentic brand identity? In this blog, we will delve into these questions by exploring the significance of authenticity, the role of brand ambassadors, and how they help create deeper connections with consumers either across social media, television or radio.