ITV News at 1:30

The ITV News at 1:30 is the afternoon news programme on the British television network ITV, and is produced by ITN. It airs from Monday to Friday at 1:30pm.

The programme is presented by a single newscaster; however in the event of a major story, another newscaster will be on location. Alastair Stewart is currently the main newscaster. The programme features twenty-five minutes of national and international news as well as a weather forecast, followed by five minutes of regional news from the ITV regions at 1:55pm.

On paper, the ITV News at 1:30 airs in its usual time slot. However, in practice it doesn't, as on working days the national news is scheduled to run from 1:30pm to 1:55pm, followed by a weather forecast, adverts and then regional news from 1:55pm to 2:00pm, then straight in to the next programme. The bulletin usually airs at varying times on Bank Holidays.

History
The first ITN lunchtime bulletin was launched on 16 October 1972 - First Report aired at 12:40pm and was anchored by Robert Kee. On 7 January 1974 First Report was moved to 1:00pm. On 13 September 1976 Leonard Parkin and Peter Sissons began alternating as the programme's main newscasters, and First Report was renamed News at One.

On 20 July 1987, the programme moved to 12:30pm and renamed News at 12.30, and Julia Somerville made a move from the BBC to become the main newscaster. Jon Snow also presented the programme at this time. The following year, on 28 March 1988 A year later, a revamp in ITV's daytime schedules saw the bulletin moved back to 1:00pm and became News at One again on 28 March 1988. A more comprehensive relaunch, with a new set and graphics, came in 16 October 1989, at which time John Suchet took over as the main newscaster; in 7 January 1991 the bulletin returned to the 12:30pm slot, due to the Gulf war.

In 2 March 1992 the programme was renamed the Lunchtime News double-headed presentation was also adopted with Nicholas Owen and Carol Barnes becoming the bulletin's main newscasters. On 2 January 1995, all ITN news bulletins were revamped using a cohesive blue look, and a further change was made when Dermot Murnaghan and the returning Julia Somerville became the main newscasters.

On 8 March 1999, all of ITV News output was relaunched again, and the bulletin was retitled the ITV Lunchtime News, with John Suchet returning alongside Somerville. From 28th October 2002, the programme reverted to single presentation with Nicholas Owen as the main newscaster.

On 23 June 2003, the programme presentation was updated slightly switching to yellow and blues colours

Dual presentation returned on 2 February 2004, when ITV News received another relaunch, and Owen was joined by Katie Derham. From Monday 11 April 2005 the news was extended to 60 minutes long format as part of the new ITV Day continuity, the final edition being 3 September 2006. When the hour long Lunchtime News was introduced, the 15 minute local news bulletin that aired at 3:00pm was axed. Insead, a longer local news was included in the new show. A local weather bulletin now airs instead of the news. In September 2006 it was moved to 1:30pm. On 5 February 2007, Owen left for the BBC, and Alastair Stewart took his place.

On 27 July 2009, the bulletin returned to single presentation once again for continuity and presentation reasons, with Katie Derham and Alastair Stewart taking turns to present. Derham left ITV News in 25 June 2010, Stewart still newscasts some editions.

On 2 November 2009 the programme was retitled as ITV News at 1:30.


 * 1972–1976 First Report
 * 1976–1987 News at One
 * 1987–1988 News at 12:30
 * 1988–1991 News at One
 * 1991–1992 News at 12:30
 * 1992–1999 Lunchtime News
 * 1999–2009 ITV Lunchtime News
 * 2009–present ITV News at 1:30

Former newscasters
Some of the following presenters appear on the programme from time to time, when regular newscasters are unavailable.


 * Andrea Byrne - relief presenter, 2010–2011
 * Mark Austin - relief presenter, 2010–2011
 * Carol Barnes - relief presenter, 1983–1998
 * Felicity Barr - relief presenter, 2001–2005
 * Sally Biddulph - relief presenter, 2009
 * Andrea Catherwood  - relief presenter, 2003–2007
 * Katie Derham - presenter, 2000–2010
 * Shiulie Ghosh - relief presenter, 2000–2004
 * Alexandra Hill - relief presenter, 2009
 * Robert Kee - presenter, 1972–1976


 * Daisy McAndrew - relief presenter, 2006–2007
 * Lucy Meacock - relief presenter, 2007–2009
 * Dermot Murnaghan - presenter, 1993–1999
 * Nicholas Owen - presenter, 1992–2007
 * Leonard Parkin - presenter, 1976–1987
 * Sonia Ruseler - presenter, 1992–1994
 * Peter Sissons - presenter, 1976–1987
 * Jon Snow - presenter, 1987–1988
 * Julia Somerville - presenter, 1987–2000
 * John Suchet - presenter, 1989–2003
 * Geraint Vincent - relief presenter, 2006–2010