GOOD Morning Britain is closing its US office entirely as part of ITV’s cuts to Daytime.
It means for the first time in the show’s 11-year history, the flagship breakfast show will have no dedicated team across the pond to cover news, Stateside.
The outfit is fronted by Noel Phillips, who reports out of New York, but GMB will now likely utilise reports from the main ITN news hub instead.
A source dubbed the move “a brazen pivot away from journalism.”
They added: “They have completely axed their American operation, with the intensity of the news cycle in the US as it is – especially now, with a president who is making headlines daily.
“How does that make any sense?
“These cuts are a disaster in the making. The way they have gone about all of this is messy and it is devastating for us all.
“Why are they trying to reinvent the ‘news’ instead of finding better ways to reach audiences? It is a shame they are being so shortsighted and are losing genuine, good quality people.
“These cuts are a brazen pivot away from journalism.”
An ITV spokeswoman said: “ITV is currently in consultation over proposed changes and no final decisions have been made on redundancies.
“ITV News has a significant presence across North America and its award winning bureau will continue to provide GMB Viewers with trusted international news.”
It comes as ITV streamlines its daytime output, with 220 jobs to be lost across GMB, Lorraine, Loose Women and This Morning.
The changes are part of ITV’s efforts to save money and reinvest in other programming areas.
As part of the restructure, Lorraine will be reduced to a 30-minute show whilst Good Morning Britain will be extended by 30 minutes.
Lorraine and Loose Women will air for only 30 weeks a year.
The cuts are expected to save ITV up to £50 million.
Good Morning Britain is closing its US office entirely[/caption]
