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The ITV News Channel could be dropped from Freeview to make room for new lads channel ITV4, Broadcast says this week.
With only five slots on DTT, ITV must axe one station from its portfolio - currently comprising ITV1, ITV2, ITV3, ITV News and Men & Motors - to accomodate ITV4, which launches on November 1.
Men & Motors appeared to be the obvious candidate for the chop; however, the station is predicted to be less unprofitable than the news service, leaving executives with a pressing dilemma.
The inclusion of ITV4 is non-negotiable: the channel's daytime hours will be used to house a new kids station from February.
Alternative plans to transmit ITV News in a BBC Parliament-style, quarter-screen format are thought to have been scrapped.
