Channel 4 will host a debate between the Chancellor and shadow Chancellors on the economy, 5 days after the Budget Report.

Alastair Daring, George Osborne and Vince Cable will take part in an hour long debate in front of an invited audience of 200.

Channel 4’s Head of News & Current Affairs, Dorothy Byrne, said: “With the economy being the key issue of the election, this debate – which will air just after the budget is announced – will provide an opportunity for the audience to question each of the prospective chancellors – holding them and their policies to account”.

The debate, chaired by Krishnan Guru-Murthy is live on Channel 4, Monday 29th March at 8pm.

Donal MacIntyre is to became the new face of ITV’s London Tonight. He’ll replaces Matt Teale, who has been presenting London Tonight on a temporary basis since Alastair Stewart left in September 2009.

MacIntyre, who worked on a series of undercover documentaries for ITV’s World in Action and the BBC, said: “Having a background like mine: Irish, American and more, the thing I am more than anything is a Londoner – and the prospect of being part of the London Tonight team is very exciting for me.

“I’m looking forward to being part of a talented and ambitious editorial team that gets under the skin of the stories that really matter to London.”

The editor of London Tonight, Faye Nickolds said: “Donal will be a fantastic addition to the programme. With the general election looming and a buzz around London ahead of the 2012 Olympics, Donal will bring his unique brand of journalism and presenting to up to a million viewers a night.”

MacIntyre will present alongside Katie Derham from April 6th, 2010.

Former Sky News Presenter, Allan King is to be appointed new Chief Executive Officer of Gibraltar Broadcaster Corporation.

A spokesman for the GBC board said they will be meeting to discuss the finer details of the proposed contract. It’s hoped the contract can be signed as early as next month.

Allan King recently conducted a complete review of the Gibraltar Broadcaster Corporation. The final report was published last month.

Gordon Brown, today announced the date of the Budget Report 2010. It’ll take place after PMQ’s on Wednesday 24th March.

Political correspondents are suggesting this would mean the General Election will take place on May 6th with the announcement coming on April 6th.

According to TV Newsroom sources the launch of Sky News HD will coincide with the General Election announcement.

So, April 6th at 5pm ?

Sky News will mark International Women’s Day, Monday 8th March, with a day of news presented and produced by women.

Anna Botting, Gillian Joseph, Kay Burley, and Anna Jones will present the news. Dharshini David will take over Jeff Randall Live. Jacquie Beltrao, Sarah Jane Mee, and Karthi Gnanasegaram will present the sports bulletins.

John Ryley, head of Sky News, said: “Sky News is constantly pushing the boundaries and we are delighted to be marking this important day in this way with our talented women journalists.

“Editorially, it will be interesting to see what we cover, but we will ask the question we always do – what is of most relevance to our viewers?”

The BBC, ITV and Sky has today announced the full agreement for the Leaders’ Debates.

1. There will be three live TV debates during the forthcoming general election campaign.
2. There will be one debate in each full week of the campaign assuming the election is called at least four weeks before polling day.
3. If there are less than four weeks between the election being called and polling day, it may be necessary to schedule two debates in one week. The first debate will not be held before the fourth day after the start of the campaign.
4. Each of the three broadcasters, the BBC, ITV and BSkyB will be responsible for producing their own individual debate programme in three separate locations in England.
5. ITV will produce the first debate in the North West. Sky will produce the second debate in the South/South West. The BBC will produce the third debate in the Midlands.
6. The three party leaders of the Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties will appear in each debate programme.
7. Each party leader will have equal treatment in each programme. The broadcasters will each nominate one person who will monitor the debate and be contactable by a nominated representative of each of the parties during the debate. The broadcaster’s nominated person will advise and liaise with the executive producer who will have responsibility for ensuring equal treatment.
8. Each debate will be between 85 and 90 minutes in duration, transmitted live by the originating broadcaster in peak time.
9. There will be no advertising within the programme.
10. The format of the debate will be the same for all broadcasters.
11. Around half of each debate will be themed.
12. There will be a live audience, transparently selected mainly from the surrounding region by an agreed and reputable polling company.
13. Each audience will be broadly representative of the country as a whole subject to detailed discussions with ICM and agreement with the parties.
14. Each broadcaster will have a named editorial panel of their own to select the questions submitted by the public. Each will set out the criteria by which questions may be selected.
15. Each debate will be hosted by a single presenter provided by the host broadcaster. Alastair Stewart, ITV; Adam Boulton, Sky; David Dimbleby, BBC.
16. BSkyB and the BBC will make their programmes available to other broadcasters simultaneously. ITV will make their programme available to other television broadcasters immediately after transmission and available simultaneously to online and radio.
17. This proposal is subject to each broadcaster complying with its duties on due impartiality and election coverage across the nations of the UK.

The Daily Mail is reporting that Penny Smith is to leave GMTV as part of cost cutting measures, while John Stapleton is being moved to a correspondent role, covering major events.

It is understood Penny Smith is going on to present a Radio 2 series later this year on poetry. She said: “It’s an ideal time for me to say goodbye to early mornings. Now that the format has changed I have taken the plunge and am moving on.”

John said: “I’m going back to doing what I love best. And after 12 years of getting up at 3.45am, I’m looking forward to having a few lie-ins.”

Neil Thompson, GMTV director of programmes, said: “Penny has done a fantastic job. We wish her all the very best.” The programme’s other main presenters, including Ben Shephard, Andrew Castle and Kate Garraway, are said to be concerned by the changes and what it means for their futures

The Royal Television Society awards for Journalism takes place tonight and we’ll hopefully bring you the results thought-out the night.

Presenter of the Year
Julie Etchingham – ITV News ITN for ITV News

Scoop of the Year
Release of the Lockerbie Bomber – BBC Scotland

Specialist Journalist
Paul Kenyon – Panorama – BBC One

Television Journalist of the Year
Alex Crawford – Sky News

The Independent Award
Mehran Bozorgnia – Afghan Life Crumbles Despite Foreign Aid Channel 4 News

Young Journalist of the Year
Tamanna Rahman – Panorama BBC Current Affairs for BBC One

Camera Operator of the Year
Dai Baker – Channel 4 News ITN for Channel 4 News

Current Affairs – Home
Panorama: What Happened to Baby P? – BBC One

Current Affairs – International
This World: Gypsy Child Thieves – BBC Two

Nations and Regions News Coverage
Meridian Tonight (South) – Justice for Hannah ITV Meridian

News Channel of the Year
Sky News

News Coverage – Home
G20 Policing ITN for Channel 4 News

News Coverage – International
Pakistan: Terror’s Frontline – Sky News

News Programme of the Year
BBC News at Ten – BBC News for BBC One

The Judges’ Award
Inside Gaza.

Lifetime Achievement
Peter McHugh. Former Managing Editor of GMTV

Innovative News
Fallen Heroes – Sky News/Skynews.com

Video:

Special thanks to Ed Fraser for Twitting the results.

Video: Jeff Randall Live from Sky News’ new studio in 30 St Mary Axe, The Gherkin:

[See post to watch Flash video]

Nick Phipps, EP for Sky News Business said earlier today: “The “Gherkin project” began many months ago, as part of the move to build up business coverage on Sky News. Breaking the stories that matter first was the first priority, and our team have done a lot of that recently.

“But basing our flagship business show and presenter in the heart of the City was just as important. Why? The City is the beating heart of British business news.

“The players in the FTSE 100, and beyond, cycle through regularly – when they announce their results, when they brief analysts and institutional investors.

“Jeff’s base will mean they’re more accessible to us, and us to them. Our new City studio is also a statement. Sky News values business news. We invest in it. We understand it.”

Could Sky News be launching a timeshift channel in the very near future?

Currently sitting on frequency 12.285 V is a Sky News +1 placeholder.

Julia Somerville made her return to News presenting today. Sat alongside Ben Brown, Julia presented the 2pm-5pm bulletin on the BBC News Channel.

[See post to watch Flash video]

BBC’s Formula One reporter Ted Kravitz is presenting the sports bulletins on the BBC News Channel today.

It was announced last week that the BBC will not be making changing to its Formula One team from last year. Ted will be back in the F1 paddock for the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 12th-14th.