ITV’s main early evening news programme was nearly knocked off air after a technical fault hit ITN. Viewers in London had already abruptly lost their regional news programme due to the issue.
It led to the 6:30pm bulletin staggering on air without the usual opening sequence. Presenter Lucrezia Millarini welcomed viewers reading from a desk script instead of an autocue. The first 15 minute segment was reduced to a single, static camera shot in the studio. There was also an initial reduction in on-screen graphics.
Minutes earlier, viewers in London had been suddenly switched over to ITV Meridian, as ITV News London crashed off-air. ITV News London was unable to return, but hopes to offer a regular bulletin after News at Ten.
After the first ad-break, ITV News staff were able to revert the news programme back to its normal format as systems were restored.
At this stage, it’s unknown if the record breaking temperatures caused equipment failure at ITV News, which is based at ITN in Central London.
Other programmes from ITN, including Channel 4 News, were broadcast as normal.
In April, ITN programmes including Jeremy Vine on Channel 5 were knocked off air by a power outage at the same site. The power problems led to severe disruption across ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.