BBC's Horrocks: "Good luck" for 'Ten'

BBC newsroom chief Peter Horrocks has said that the return of ITV1's News at Ten will be good for viewers.

Writing on the BBC editors' blog, Horrocks wished his competitors at ITN luck with the programme's return.

"The return of the famous bongs is a stimulating, if scary one, for the BBC," he said. "But it's scary in a good way. Since ITN gave up the News at Ten slot the BBC has consistently outperformed the late evening news on ITN. I don't think it's good for us, or the viewer, to be that dominant - strong competition is good for everyone. Putting the two bulletins head to head will keep all of us on our toes, which is good for both the BBC and ITN, and for audiences."

He added that the BBC would be watching minute-by-minute audience numbers to see whether those viewers who switch over from ITV1 to watch the BBC's 10pm bulletin continue to do so.

Outlining the potential differences between ITV1's new version of Ten and the BBC's output, Horrocks explained: "I'm sure we'll compete head to head on the main stories of the day. And there there will be a tussle over exclusive stories. But an inkling of potential differences might be found in a remark by an ITN senior executive, Deborah Turness. She said News at Ten's "And finally…" item should have this effect, "'We want people go to bed with a smile on their face or a tear in their eye". I'd prefer to say that the BBC's News is all made to make you think."

News at Ten relaunches tonight on ITV1.