ITV is set to pilot an integrated 6pm news hour format in a bid to challenge BBC1's 6pm dominance.

The Guardian claims that the move is being initiated to challenge the dominance that the BBC has in the ratings between 6pm and 7pm.

 The paper explains that ITV1 currently runs its regional news at 6pm, followed half an hour later by ITV News - its national and international news.

This puts it at a disadvantage to BBC1, which runs its national and international news at 6pm, followed by regional bulletins in the second half of the hour.

Speculation has claimed that ITV could roll its two bulletins in together as part of its ongoing news review.

The Guardian says that in a letter to staff,  Mike Jeremy, ITV's director of news and sport, confirmed that "some off-air pilots" are being made "to test the idea".

Such a change to its news schedule would need approval from Ofcom so ITV is trialling the new-look news hour before making a formal application.

Jeremy is quoted as saying in his letter to staff: "One of the options we're looking at it a potential integrated 6pm to 7pm 'news hour' – delivering international, national and regional news in one coherent programme."

He added: "We'll be looking at the overall structure of the hour, including timings, durations and handovers. The pilot programmes will then be reviewed so that we can decide on the best way forward for ITV news."

It is not yet known what the mix will be between regional, national and international news, although it is understood that several options are being trialed.