Published: Friday, 3rd October, 2008 12:30pm

End of an era as Border TV is axed

by David Knox

Comments (0) | Print | Email

AND FINALLY…the end of Border TV has been announced.

ITV revealed on Tuesday that 51 of the 64 workers at the Carlisle-based broadcasters were to be axed as part of a nation-wide restructuring.

Last week regulator Ofcom rubber-stamped ITV"s controversial plans to reduce regional news output.

And it seems unlikely that the campaign to save the teatime Lookaround news programme will now succeed.

ITV"s new-look news service will see its current 17 regional stations across England and the South of Scotland become nine.

Border TV will be swallowed up by Gateshead-based Tyne Tees with the South of Scotland being designated a six-minute news slot following the changes in January.

MSP Jeremy Purvis has hit out at developments over the past week. He told the Peeblesshire News: 'This is a betrayal to local viewers who attempted to save the Lookaround operation.

'There is so much uncertainty about how the South of Scotland news will be delivered.'

Between Border and Tyne Tees a total of 90 jobs will go as part of the restructuring - with another 340 positions being shed at the other regional news services.

And from January all ITV news for the Borders will be broadcast from Gateshead.

Tweeddale MP David Mundell said: 'The loss of these jobs is to be condemned.

'All ITV has been interested in is saving money and they have no interest in the local viewer.

'My thoughts are with everybody who will be losing their job through no fault of their own.

'They provide a valued service and these job losses are as a direct result of the demands for cost savings from ITV boss Michael Grade.""

ITV announced plans in the summer to save £35m within two years by restructuring its news service.

Fellow Borders MP Michael Moore is seeking urgent meetings with the broadcaster"s chief executive Michael Grade.

Mr Moore told us: 'ITV and Ofcom should be ashamed of this decision which marks the end of a proud broadcasting tradition going back generations.

'Since Ofcom"s consultation capitulation last week many have anticipated this decision but that makes it no more palatable.

'ITV chief Michael Grade promised to meet local MPs after the decision was announced and we will now hold him to that.'