However, the outlook for the Granada team was not quite so bleak, with How-Do learning that only 11 per cent of posts would be lost. Or, as an ITV spokesperson explained, “the lowest (staff) reduction in the country.”

As part of the Ofcom approved move to reduce costs and protect the future of the UK’s largest commercial broadcaster, the firm yesterday confirmed that the additional jobs would be lost as it looks to pare back its headcount by 1,000 staff by early 2009.

As part of this restructure ITV is looking to cut its regional newsrooms back from 17 to just nine.

Nevertheless, an ITV spokesperson was quick to relay to How-Do yesterday that it was a case of (almost) ‘business as usual’ at Granada, with the future of the 30-minute long 6pm news show confirmed and relatively lenient cuts ahead.

He expanded: “There are currently 75 people in news and non-news at Granada and it has been proposed that that will be cut to 66 posts.

“That will mean eight jobs going (the discrepancy is accounted for due to part time staff), which equates to an 11 per cent reduction in the team.”

Changes ahead

The spokesperson added that it was the firm’s intention to keep its “award-winning” team very much in place in the area, but that the consultation process was now underway and the necessary job losses would follow.

He stated that “the voluntary redundancy window was now open for staff” and would be until the 18 October.

The jobs are expected to be lost by early December.

Other regions fared less well than Granada and the NUJ reacted angrily to the announcement, threatening to respond with industrial action.

Laura Davison, the union’s assistant broadcasting officer, was quoted as saying that “it is difficult to see how we can avoid a fight over this."

In all ITV’s job cuts will see payroll dropping from around 5,000 to 6,000 between the start of the cost-saving exercise and its conclusion next year.

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