Talk TV is to drop its linear TV channels and will maintain an online presence only.
The move comes just weeks after high profile presenter Piers Morgan switched distribution of his nightly show to YouTube.
“Talk will continue broadcasting as a live streaming 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,” said Scott Taunton, President of Broadcasting of News UK, in an email to staff.
Talk Radio, which has been sidelined since the launch of Talk TV on 25 April 2022 will continue once more in its own right on DAB.
News UK, which also publishes The Sun, The Times and runs Virgin Radio, now plans to create News Studios, which will create and distribute content for its brands for streaming and social platforms including YouTube and TikTok. It will produce both short-form bitesize content for immediate consumption, as well as long-form shows edited for on-demand viewing.
“We have some exciting plans and News Studios will become the home of original programming for all our brands. We have the opportunity to be the best in the industry given our highly professionalised infrastructure and our skilled teams, as well as our funnel of world class journalism and storytelling,” said the Taunton memo.
Talk TV had been under the spotlight since last September, when Lachlan Murdoch took over as Fox and News Corp chairman from his father Rupert.
Barb recorded a monthly reach of 3.94% for Talk TV in January, compared to 4.98% for GB News, 12.01% for Sky News and 16.44% for the BBC News channel.
Source: https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2024/03/05/talk-tv-goes-streaming-only-removes-linear-platforms/