More than one in five programmes shown on ITV last year was a repeat, the broadcaster has revealed.

ITV said the cost of covering the World Cup meant there was �40m less to spend on peak time viewing.

ITV also blamed competition from the BBC, singling out the corporation's decision to show a fourth episode of EastEnders each week as a particular challenge.

EastEnders has upped the stakes for ITV

The figures were published in ITV's statement of intent, which all public service broadcasters are required to provide at the beginning of the year.

It showed that the proportion of repeats screened on the channel was 21.7% - up from 17.3% the previous year.

ITV admitted it had faced "a very challenging year", pinpointing daytime television and the evening news as problem areas.

The broadcaster admitted audiences for its news programmes were "sometimes disappointing", particularly for News at Ten.

"This reflects a declining trend for news viewing on all channels," the report said.

"This means that News at Ten loses new enthusiasts to the BBC," the report added.

Extra cash

But ITV has fought back by revamping This Morning and bringing in new shows such as Today With Des and Mel, the report said.

Next year's ITV1 budget is �836m, up from �775m this year - an increase of �100m if you strip out what ITV paid for the World Cup.

The broadcaster said extra cash will be used to pay for new peak-time drama as part of its ratings fightback against the BBC.

New shows on the agenda include a drama about sex counselling from Fat Friends creator Kay Mellor plus adaptations of classic novels Lucky Jim and The Mayor of Casterbridge.