Dame Carolyn McCall opened up about a significant shake-up at the broadcaster, one that will reportedly result in more than 220 members of staff losing their jobs
ITV’s chief executive has confessed that she “did lose sleep” over substantial cuts affecting more than 200 positions, while revealing what lies ahead for Loose Women and Lorraine. Speaking at a red-carpet event prior to Christmas, Dame Carolyn McCall revealed details about a major restructuring at the network, which will reportedly see more than 220 employees lose their jobs.
Back in May, ITV declared its intention to eliminate positions and reduce programming including Loose Women, as part of efforts to achieve what panellist Janet Street-Porter had previously called a “massive amount” of savings.
This means the airtime for certain programmes will be significantly cut, with both Lorraine and Loose Women cut back to just 30 weeks annually, according to the Guardian.
Dame Carolyn, a former boss of easyJet, confessed that she “did lose sleep over this” and it was “very difficult” as she addressed the changes, which are expected to come into effect next week.
In conversation with The Mail’s Richard Eden, Dame Carolyn stated: “I did lose sleep over this. These are not easy things. From a human point of view, it’s very difficult.”
However, ITV viewers needn’t worry too much, as she also confirmed that audiences were “going to see” both widely-loved programmes, while emphasising that “viewing habits have changed”.
She went on to say: “You’re going to see Loose Women. You’re going to see Lorraine. It’s a sensible decision. Viewing habits have changed – we can’t deny that. This makes daytime [television] more resilient.”
Dame Carolyn added: “We just have to behave properly. We will always treat people well. We will always be open and tell them as much as we can, we will always do it the right way. Our primary duty is to make sure we have a really strong duty of care.”
In July 2025, Janet Street-Porter discussed the financial challenges ITV was facing on the Off Air with Jane and Fi podcast.
She claimed that the broadcaster’s advertising revenue had been “diminishing hugely” and explained how the number of shows had increased “inexorably” over the years and were set to be reduced back to the original level.
Janet also revealed that she’d taken her case for Loose Women to Kevin Lygo, the managing director of ITV Studios, whom she claims to know “very well.”
She expressed: “So, I’ve said to him in no uncertain terms what I feel about it, which is that Loose Women performs a valuable service. It talks about things women are interested in, in a pretty straightforward way. It gives people a bit of a laugh in the middle of the day, doesn’t take itself too seriously.”
In response to a question on whether the show would “carry on”, she added: “Yes, course it’s carrying on! Of course it’s carrying on. It’s carrying on for 30 weeks of next year and maybe more if I can bully Kevin Lygo into submission.”
However, she also pointed out that the reference to bullying was “metaphorically speaking”.
For the latest showbiz, TV, movie and streaming news, go to the new Everything Gossip website.