RUPERT Murdoch’s TalkTV is set to close down its television channel and move online after two years of dismal ratings.
The channel was launched by News UK, the publisher of The Sun and The Times, in 2022.
However, just weeks after Piers Morgan left his daily show on the channel to focus on YouTube, bosses have announced that the broadcaster’s linear television channel will be wound down.
Scott Taunton, TalkTV’s president of broadcasting, said in a briefing to staff: “Two years ago, we would not have been brave enough to launch a channel without a linear presence, but audiences of all ages have moved fast and smartphones are now the primary device where news is consumed. We need to adapt to this as a priority.
“We are therefore intending that Talk comes off linear television from early summer and our focus will be on streaming.
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“Talk will continue broadcasting as a livestreaming news and opinion channel, distributing through streaming platforms to include YouTube, Amazon Fire, Samsung, LG and others.
“A large proportion of our live viewing is already through streaming on televisions and we intend to continue to grow this.
“Clips will continue to be shared through social media. There is no doubt over Talk’s future as an audio and video channel, it just won’t be distributed on linear. Radio on DAB continues unchanged too.”
Launching months after GB News, the channel attempted to emulate the opinion-led news programming of Fox News in America.
But it has been dogged by low viewing figures, with some programmes at times registering no viewers at all.
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