Ofcom blocks ITV's children's retreat

The broadcasting regulator, Ofcom, has blocked ITV's plans to reduce children's programming.

ITV had been hoping to cut its weekday afternoon CiTV shows on ITV1 and replace them with adult programming that would be more lucrative in terms of advertising.

The Ofcom ruling comes after a campaign from a number of groups, including the Writers' Guild, who felt that it was vital for children's programming to remain on ITV's flagship channel.

ITV ceased in-house production of children's programmes in June and has so far made no new commissions from independents. A spokesperson said that they would announce plans for 2007 later this year.