ITN is marking its 70th anniversary today with a ‘major expansion’ of its content division, ITN Productions, including the launch of a new digital division, investment in regional and international growth, and the creation of a premium content label.
The newly-formed digital division will create a number of new roles, including a Director of Digital, to expand on the foundations already laid by ITN’s existing short-form and YouTube teams. The new team will focus on expanding ITN’s direct-to-consumer strategy, building creator partnerships, trialling formats and launching new digital content across genres including entertainment, crime, royals, and by using ITN’s archive.
The move builds on the success of ITN’s original shortform commissions for BBC Sounds, ITVX, Audible and others, as well as ITN’s existing YouTube channels, including the Royal Family Channel, which reach over 300m views a year.
In Leeds, ITN has recently bolstered its out-of-London base, headed up by Caroline Short, with two new executive producers, Nicola Addyman and Ricardo Pollack, supporting the company’s continued push into regional production for UK broadcasters and for global streamers.
ITN is also strengthening its international team with the appointment of Chris Broughall as Deputy Head of International. Broughall, formerly Director of Development at Renowned Films, joins in November to help drive growth in global markets, particularly the US. Further expansion of the team is planned.
The premium label will be powered by ITN Productions, with access to ITN’s infrastructure from post-production to live broadcast facilities and studios – the label will be dedicated to producing more premium content for global audiences.
ITN Productions is now home to all the content produced by ITN outside its national newsrooms – from documentaries and live broadcast to education and the archive – in a unified division led by Ian Rumsey, Managing Director of Content. The division already boasts a diverse slate and produces more than 1,000 hours of commissioned content annually for UK broadcasters and global streamers.
Ian Rumsey, MD of content at ITN, said: “ITN has spent the past 70 years evolving and innovating, so it’s fitting to mark this milestone with bold, exciting plans. The digital expansion is a game-changing moment for us which will help to drive our growth and embrace the future of content consumption. Along with investment in Leeds, our international team and more premium content it will empower us with even greater creative freedom and ambition.”
ITN continues to set the pace in responsible AI adoption, having been one of the first production companies to introduce formal AI guidelines. The organisation is maintaining a proactive approach, and this week is launching ITN’s AI and Data Academy, delivered in partnership with Multiverse. The programme will support innovation and future skills development among the workforce.
As part of its 70th anniversary activity, ITN is also conducting an independent survey among its journalists and programme makers to explore the broader implications of generative AI for the information ecosystem.
Rachel Corp, CEO of ITN, said: “As ITN turns 70, we’re not just celebrating our legacy, we’re investing in our future. These changes reflect our ambition to keep growing, innovating and leading across digital, international and premium content. Last year, content produced by teams across ITN reached over seven billion views globally, and we’re set to exceed that. We’re committed to ensuring ITN continues to thrive and plays a unique and vital role in delivering trusted, impartial news and content to audiences wherever they are and to ensuring we’re proactively engaged with the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI.”
Founded 70 years ago on 22nd September 1955, ITN is home to three national public service broadcaster newsrooms—ITV, Channel 4 and 5—and will expand its live news output in 2026 with the addition of Good Morning Britain. ITN also produces 5’s live daytime programming, the Jeremy Vine, Storm Huntley, and Vanessa shows, airing weekdays from 9:15am to 1pm.
From January 2026, ITN’s live linear output for PSBs will increase to 70 hours per week—up from 50 hours currently—alongside a growing portfolio of digital content that reached over 7 billion views last year.
ITN’s headquarters at Gray’s Inn Road house state-of-the-art studios and post-production facilities, serving both UK broadcasters and global streamers. The organisation also operates a newsroom and offices in Leeds, and maintains a global footprint with international bureaus including Washington D.C.
Jon Creamer
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