Murdoch’s TalkTV to close down television channel and go online only

Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV is to close as a linear traditional broadcast TV channel and move online only after two years marred by poor ratings.

Staff were told of the move on Tuesday, with Talk TV set to disappear from TV screens by the summer.

According to an email to staff obtained by the Guido Fawkes website, TalkTV will continue as a “live streaming news and opinion channel, distributing through streaming platforms to include YouTube, Amazon Fire, Samsung, LG and others.”

Its flagship show Piers Morgan Uncensored, had already moved from the TV schedules, to become a YouTube-only programme.

The channel had suffered the embarrassment of registering “zero” viewers on numerous occasions.

The email from Scott Taunton, News UK’s head of broadcasting, acknowledged that TalkTV had failed to build a big enough television audience.

“Linear channel slots cost us millions a year and the advertising revenues are never going to materially exceed the cost of being in these distribution slots,” it said.

The move is a setback for Murdoch, who had hoped TalkTV would shake up the broadcasting establishment by offering an opinion-led alternative to the BBC.

Staff were told there will be a “restructure” with a new division created which will make video content for all News UK brands including The Sun and The Times.

News UK confirmed the content of the email.

News UK is believed to have approached rival channel GB News, which enjoys higher ratings, with merger proposals but the discussions came to nothing.