ITN to make High Court challenge over Nightly News

ITV has been given permission to launch a High Court challenge against the Independent Television Commission's order to reschedule its late evening news bulletin.

ITV has been given permission to launch a High Court challenge against the Independent Television Commission's order to reschedule its late evening news bulletin.

The network has been given leave for a judicial review over the ITC's direction that they should move the 11pm ITV Nightly News to an earlier time slot, a court spokesman said.

A fierce debate over ITV news audiences has raged since the axing of News at Ten last year - now a judge will determine the final outcome next month.

Mr Justice Owen gave a written direction approving ITV's appeal for a judicial review last week but it was only made public by the network today.

A brief statement said: "ITV today confirmed that it has been granted a judicial review of the Independent Television Commission's (ITC) direction regarding the scheduling of the ITV Nightly News.

"The judge has made an order for expedition and directed that the hearing shall not be any later than the end of September."