10/06/2010

GMTV Name To Be Dropped

ITV have announced plans to drop the GMTV name and brand, spending up to £1.5m on a relaunch of the morning flagship show.

The rebrand was described as "the biggest change" in its 17-year history by Alison Sharman, ITV Director of Factual and Daytime.

New graphics and title music are planned along with a location move to overlook the River Thames. The new studio will include the latest technology for high-definition broadcasts.

The move comes as a result of viewer research, which indicated that a new identity would play a key role in the show's future success. ITV have not yet decided on a new name for the show.

The rebrand will also see a shake up in the ranks at GMTV. After almost 18 years running GMTV's output, Deputy Editor Malcolm Douglas will be stepping down. New Editor Ian Rumsey and Deputy Editor Paul Connolly met on Monday.

It was not specified if Christine Bleakley would be joining GMTV front-man Adrian Chiles.

LK Today will also see changes. Currently filmed live on Monday and Tuesday, while Wednesday and Thursday's editions are pre-recorded, ITV is now considering airing every episode live.

As part of the ITV integration review, almost one in five GMTV staff took voluntary redundancy or had their jobs placed at risk.

(BMcN/BMCC)

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