Good Morning Britain (GMB) is a live news and magazine-style breakfast television programme broadcast on ITV1 and ITVX every weekday from 6:00 am. As of January 2026, the show has undergone a major transformation, moving its production to the ITN headquarters on Gray’s Inn Road and extending its airtime until 9:30 am (or 10:00 am during peak seasonal weeks). The current main presenter line-up features a rotation of high-profile journalists and broadcasters, including Susanna Reid, Ed Balls, Richard Madeley, Kate Garraway, and Ranvir Singh. In this comprehensive guide, you will learn about the show’s new 2026 format, the history of the GMB brand dating back to the 1980s, behind-the-scenes details of the London studio move, and how to engage with the show’s interactive segments.
2026 Presenter Line-up and Schedule
The 2026 season of Good Morning Britain introduced a refreshed, fixed-rotation schedule to provide viewers with consistency. Ed Balls serves as the primary anchor from Monday to Wednesday, while Richard Madeley leads the Thursday broadcast. Fridays are anchored by the duo of Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh, often focusing on a mix of hard news and lighter “end-of-week” lifestyle features.
Susanna Reid remains the “head presenter,” typically appearing from Monday to Thursday to lead the biggest political interviews. The team is supported by weather presenter Laura Tobin, health expert Dr. Hilary Jones, and entertainment editor Richard Arnold. This structured rotation was designed to stabilize the show following the departure of Ben Shephard to This Morning in late 2024.
Moving to ITN Headquarters
In January 2026, Good Morning Britain vacated its long-term home at Television Centre and moved to Studio 1 at the ITN headquarters on Gray’s Inn Road. This strategic move consolidated ITV’s national news gathering and breakfast operations into a single, high-tech facility. The new set features a more integrated newsroom feel, allowing presenters to transition seamlessly between “soft” sofa interviews and “hard” news bulletins.
This transition also coincided with the show being produced by ITN under the ITV News banner for the first time. The new studio utilizes a blend of physical sets and advanced augmented reality (AR) graphics to provide data-heavy segments on weather, finance, and election coverage. By sharing resources with the ITV Evening News, the programme has gained access to a wider network of global correspondents.
Evolution of the GMB Brand
The name Good Morning Britain actually predates the current iteration, originally serving as the flagship show for TV-am between 1983 and 1992. The original 1980s version featured legendary broadcasters like David Frost, Michael Parkinson, and Angela Rippon. It was famous for its “G’Day Britain” outside broadcasts and the “Mad Lizzie” exercise segments that became a staple of British morning culture.
The modern version of GMB launched on April 28, 2014, replacing the short-lived Daybreak. It was designed to be a punchier, more opinion-led alternative to BBC Breakfast, initially featuring the high-profile signing of Susanna Reid from the BBC. Over the last decade, the show has become known for its “adversarial” interviewing style and viral moments that often dominate social media conversations.
The Piers Morgan Era
Perhaps the most transformative period for the show was between 2015 and 2021, when Piers Morgan co-hosted alongside Reid. His controversial tenure saw a significant ratings boost, fueled by heated debates with politicians and celebrities. Morgan famously walked off the set in March 2021 following a disagreement regarding the Duchess of Sussex, leading to his immediate departure and a shift toward the current rotating-anchor format.
Key Segments and Features
News and Regional Bulletins
Every hour begins with a fast-paced news roundup, followed by local news bulletins at 15 minutes past the hour. In 2026, the main news presenters also take on the responsibility of presenting the Good Morning London bulletins, creating a more unified viewing experience for those in the capital.
Health and Wellbeing
Dr. Hilary Jones provides daily medical analysis, a segment that became particularly vital during the global health crises of the early 2020s. He simplifies complex medical studies and answers viewer questions on everything from seasonal flu to mental health.
Entertainment and Competitions
Richard Arnold delivers “The Entertainment Hub,” covering the latest in film, music, and television. Meanwhile, Andi Peters remains the face of the show’s massive prize competitions, often broadcasting live from exotic locations to promote cash giveaways and holiday prizes.
Practical Information and Planning
Broadcast Times and Access
- Monday to Friday: 6:00 am – 9:30 am (Standard)
- Seasonal Peak: 6:00 am – 10:00 am (22 weeks of the year)
- Where to Watch: ITV1, STV (Scotland), and live/on-demand on ITVX.
How to Visit the Studio
As of 2026, Good Morning Britain does not typically host a live studio audience for its daily broadcasts. However, special events—such as the 1 Million Minutes Awards—occasionally offer free tickets through providers like ApplauseStore. If you are a guest or visitor:
- Location: ITN Building, 200 Gray’s Inn Road, London, WC1X 8XZ.
- Transport: The nearest tube stations are Chancery Lane (Central Line) and Farringdon (Elizabeth Line/Circle Line).
- Tips: There are no public tours of the newsroom, but fans can often see presenters arriving early in the morning near the main entrance.
Controversies and Public Impact
GMB has a long-standing reputation for sparking national debate, often trending on social media before the show even ends. One notable 2024–2025 controversy involved Ed Balls interviewing his wife, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, which generated over 15,000 Ofcom complaints regarding perceived bias. The show’s management has since implemented stricter guidelines on interviewing family members or close political associates.
Despite these “crises,” the show remains a powerhouse of British journalism. Its ability to hold government ministers to account during the “GMB Grillings” has made it a mandatory stop for politicians during election cycles. The show’s focus on social issues, such as the “1 Million Minutes” campaign to end loneliness, has also earned it numerous accolades for its community impact.
Show Origins
Good Morning Britain launched on 28 April 2014 as ITV’s bold entry into breakfast TV, replacing the long-running GMTV after a decade. The programme aimed to deliver hard-hitting news, lively debates, and entertainment in a magazine-style format, quickly establishing itself in studios at ITV’s London headquarters in White City. From day one, it featured headline news bulletins, regional updates, weather segments, and celebrity interviews, setting a tone of immediacy and opinion-led journalism.
The launch came amid high expectations, with ITV investing heavily in state-of-the-art sets and a team led by Susanna Reid and Ben Shephard. Early episodes focused on major stories like the 2014 floods and political debates, drawing 1 million viewers on premiere night. Over time, GMB differentiated itself with unfiltered presenter commentary, contrasting the more neutral BBC rival.
This foundation allowed GMB to grow into a cultural touchstone, blending serious journalism with viral moments that dominate social media.
Original 1983 Version
Good Morning Britain first aired in February 1983 as TV-am’s flagship breakfast show, marking the UK’s debut in the format before its 2014 revival. Broadcast weekdays from studios in Camden Town, London, it ran until December 1992, featuring a mix of news, cartoons, music videos, and exercise segments led by hosts like “Mad Lizzie” Webb. The programme struggled initially due to union disputes and low ratings but rebounded with lighter content, peaking at over 2 million viewers.
Key elements included in-house TV-am news, weather from Wincey Willis, and celebrity chats, all within a vibrant, multi-coloured studio setup at Hawley Crescent. It introduced breakfast TV to Britain, competing with the BBC’s humble offerings, and helped TV-am secure its franchise until deregulation changes.
Post-1992, the studios repurposed for other uses, but the original GMB laid groundwork for modern iterations by proving the viability of morning entertainment-news hybrids.
Current Format Breakdown
GMB airs live for 3.5 hours daily, starting with solo newsreader headlines from 6:00 am before main anchors join at 6:30 am for in-depth discussions. The structure includes hourly news updates, 3-minute regional bulletins at 6:15, 7:15, and 8:15 am, paper reviews, weather forecasts, and competitions like “Win Your Dream Holiday.” Since January 2022, the 6:00-7:00 am slot emphasizes main stories from anchors, followed by newsreader rundowns and guest paper reviews.
Entertainment segments feature music performances, cooking demos, and viral challenges, while politics and current affairs dominate with live MP interviews and expert panels. Local news integrates seamlessly via ITV regions, covering traffic, weather alerts, and community stories tailored to viewers in London, Manchester, or Scotland.
This fast-paced rhythm keeps energy high, with transitions via dynamic graphics and presenter banter, ensuring GMB feels urgent yet accessible from breakfast tables nationwide.
Hourly Segments
Each hour kicks off with top headlines, blending national stories like NHS updates or election polls with global events such as US politics under President Trump. At quarter-past, regional slots deliver hyper-local content—think Patna-style traffic in Birmingham or Bihar-inspired weather in the Midlands—lasting precisely three minutes.
Mid-hour brings specialist slots: sports from Sean Fletcher, showbiz from Entertainment Editor Charlotte Hawkins, and money news from business reporters. The 8:00 am push focuses on viewer interaction via text-ins and social polls, often sparking on-air debates.
Weather appears four times hourly, using augmented reality maps for storm tracking or heatwave forecasts, making GMB a go-to for daily planning.
Main Presenters
Susanna Reid anchors Mondays to Wednesdays, bringing gravitas from her BBC Breakfast days since GMB’s 2014 start. Kate Garraway handles Thursdays and Fridays, known for empathetic interviews post her husband’s COVID battle, while Ranvir Singh steps in flexibly with sharp political probing. Richard Madeley and Ed Balls joined post-Piers Morgan, offering relatable dad humour and ex-Chancellor insight respectively.
This rotating roster ensures fresh dynamics—Reid’s poise pairs with Madeley’s storytelling, Balls’ policy expertise clashes entertainingly in debates. Guest hosts like Adil Ray or Alison Hammond add variety during holidays, maintaining 700,000+ average viewers.
Presenter chemistry drives ratings; for instance, Reid and Morgan’s 2015-2021 duo averaged 1.1 million, peaking during Brexit coverage.
Presenter Rotations
Weekly lineups rotate for balance: Mondays often Reid/Singh, Tuesdays Reid/Garraway, with Balls/Madeley anchoring later days. Holidays trigger all-stars like Rob Rinder or Martin Lewis, announced via ITV schedules.
Subs like Alex Beresford shine in weather-to-anchor transitions, building loyalty. This system prevents burnout, sustaining high-energy deliveries over 500+ episodes yearly.
Viewers track via the GMB app, voting on favourite duos in polls that influence bookings.
Piers Morgan Era
Piers Morgan co-anchored 2015-2021, transforming GMB into a ratings powerhouse with outspoken rants on Meghan Markle, lockdown rules, and celebrities. His debut alongside Reid drew 1.8 million viewers, and clashes—like the 2021 Meghan monologue sparking 41,000 Ofcom complaints—cemented controversy as core appeal. Morgan’s exit followed ITV mutual agreement, but clips still garner millions on YouTube.
Under him, GMB overtook BBC Breakfast viewership 20 times, hitting 2.4 million during COVID peaks. Segments like “Piers Uncensored” invited viewer videos, amplifying social buzz.
Post-departure, legacy endures via viral monologues critiquing wokeness or obesity, shaping GMB’s bold identity.
Ratings and Success
GMB averages 700,000-900,000 viewers weekly, frequently outpacing BBC Breakfast since 2017, with 2025 peaks at 1.2 million during Trump inauguration coverage. BARB data shows 15-20% market share in breakfast slots, bolstered by 30 million YouTube views monthly. Key wins include 2024 election nights drawing 1.5 million, proving its news dominance.
Social metrics explode: 2 million Instagram followers, Twitter trends daily. Awards like TRIC Best Breakfast Show (2017-2020) affirm status.
Growth stems from digital clips; short debate extracts rack up 500,000 views, funneling to live tune-ins.
Peak Moments
Highest ratings hit 2.7 million on 13 March 2020 amid COVID lockdown announcements, with Garraway’s frontline reporting resonating. 2022 Queen’s death coverage topped 2.2 million, blending solemnity with real-time updates.
Election specials consistently break 1 million, as 2024’s Trump reelection watch parties did across ITV regions.
These spikes highlight GMB’s crisis-response prowess, turning tragedy into trusted companionship.
Memorable Interviews
GMB hosts power interviews with A-listers like Taylor Swift in 2018, discussing her UK tour, or Boris Johnson grilling over Partygate in 2022. Ed Balls’ dance with wife Yvette Cooper went viral, humanizing politics, while Susanna Reid’s sit-downs with Trump allies dissected US policy shifts post-2025 inauguration.
Controversial chats, such as Morgan’s Novak Djokovic deportation debate, drew global headlines. Celebrities like Adele share exclusives, boosting ratings 20%.
Depth varies: lightweight with Ant McPartlin on rehab, heavy with Zelenskyy aides on Ukraine.
Celebrity Highlights
Adele’s 2021 comeback preview drew 1.1 million, her tearful anecdotes captivating. Elton John’s health updates and Elton John AIDS Foundation plugs blend philanthropy with promo. Sports stars like Jude Bellingham preview Euros, tying into ITV’s football rights for cross-promo. These exclusives position GMB as the premiere morning destination.
Controversies Overview
GMB thrives on debate, but episodes like Morgan’s 2021 Meghan comments led to 57,000 complaints and his exit. Ofcom cleared most but ruled against balance in vaccine segments, fining ITV £20,000 in 2023. Anti-trans debates with Kellie-Jay Keen in 2023 sparked protests outside studios.
Lockdown coverage polarized: pro-vaccine stances clashed with skeptic guests like Dr. Mike Yeadon. 2024 Trump bias accusations followed Balls’ Shadow Chancellor past.
Yet, 80% complaints were dismissed, affirming free speech ethos.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Good Morning Britain start and finish in 2026?
As of January 2026, Good Morning Britain starts at 6:00 am and has been extended to a 9:30 am finish for 30 weeks of the year. During the 22 weeks when the Lorraine show is off-air, GMB extends further to a 10:00 am finish.
Who are the current presenters of GMB in 2026?
The main anchor rotation features Susanna Reid (Mon-Wed), Ed Balls (Mon-Wed), and Richard Madeley (Thu). Fridays are typically hosted by Kate Garraway and Ranvir Singh, with Charlotte Hawkins and Adil Ray serving as frequent stand-in presenters.
Where is the new Good Morning Britain studio located?
The show moved on January 5, 2026, to Studio 1 at the ITN headquarters on Gray’s Inn Road, London. This move consolidated GMB with the main ITV News operations to increase production efficiency.
How do I enter the Good Morning Britain competitions?
Competitions are usually fronted by Andi Peters and can be entered via the ITV Win website, by SMS, or by phone. Most entries require a fee of approximately £2.00, though postal entries are often available for free.
Can I watch Good Morning Britain on catch-up?
Yes, the full three-and-a-half-hour broadcast is available on ITVX immediately after the live show ends. You can also find individual clips of major interviews on the GMB YouTube channel.
Is Good Morning Britain live or pre-recorded?
The programme is broadcast entirely live from 6:00 am to 9:30 am (or 10:00 am). This allows the team to respond to breaking news and interact with viewers in real-time via social media.
How do I contact the GMB newsroom with a story?
You can reach the production team by emailing gmb@itv.com or by using the hashtag #GMB on X (Twitter). For urgent news tips, viewers often contact the main ITV News desk at the ITN building.
What is the 1 Million Minutes campaign?
Now in its tenth year as of 2026, this award-winning campaign encourages viewers to pledge their time to volunteer for charities. It aims to combat loneliness and isolation across the UK, especially during the winter months.
Final Thoughts
Conclusion: The New Era of Breakfast TV
As we navigate through 2026, Good Morning Britain has successfully solidified its position as the primary challenger to BBC Breakfast, bolstered by its high-profile move to the ITN headquarters and a more stable, authoritative presenter rotation. The 2025–2026 “ITV Daytime Shakeup” has done more than just relocate the set; it has integrated the show more deeply into the national news infrastructure, ensuring that viewers receive the most up-to-the-minute analysis during their morning routine. By extending the broadcast until 9:30 am (and 10:00 am seasonally), GMB has reclaimed the “lost hour” of morning television, providing a bridge between hard news and the lifestyle content of Lorraine and This Morning.
The “New GMB” under Susanna Reid, Ed Balls, and Richard Madeley balances the fiery debate of the previous decade with a renewed focus on journalistic integrity and shared production resources. While the departure from Television Centre marked the end of an era, the debut at Gray’s Inn Road represents a forward-thinking approach to broadcasting—one that prioritizes agility, technical innovation, and a direct connection to the pulse of the nation. For millions of UK viewers, Good Morning Britain remains the definitive start to the day, evolving to meet the demands of a fast-paced, digital-first information age.
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