Morgan’s comments caused a setback and led to an investigation by Ofcom, the country’s medical regulator, which received a record 57,100 complaints about his remarks. But in all likelihood, Morgan will not be off the air for long.
Two new British media outlets – former BBC host Andrew Neil’s GB News and Rupert Murdoch’s News UK TV – are preparing for the launch. They are expected to repeat the controversial and personality-driven political debates that dominate American cable and talk radio, but are largely absent from British television.
And Morgan, a sincere and outspoken critic of the “awake” culture, will naturally fit.
“He’s definitely someone who generates publicity,” said Patrick Barwise, co-author of The War Against the BBC and Emeritus Professor of Management and Marketing at London Business School. “He will fit that model very well.”
Morgan’s next step
In a recent interview on the BBC, Neil said Morgan “would be a great asset to GB News” and that he would be “delighted” to speak to him if interested.
“Can we find a role for Piers Morgan? Of course we can,” said Neil, who is the founder of the network. “Any network worth its salt can play a role for a broadcaster of its caliber.”
Murdoch’s News UK TV declined to comment on whether it made an offer to the former editor of the tabloid newspaper.
“There’s a lot of interest in securing my services,” he told CNN Business, declining to comment on specific offers.
Not long ago, Morgan, a former CNN host, would have had fewer options. Although the British media scene is partly defined by a free and often biased press, the TV news channels are largely their focus. The straight BBC, ITV and Sky News maintain high levels of public confidence.
GB News, which launches a 24-hour news channel, and News UK TV – which did not disclose details of its plans but is expected to deliver more limited content for streaming – could recreate the industry.
“They clearly intend to shift the focus of broadcasting news in the UK to the right,” Barwise said.
“He’s too good a journalist, with a reputation for protection, for wanting to connect with a news channel that spreads conspiracy theories and propaganda,” BBC presenter Clive Myrie said in a lecture on impartiality last week. news said. “And anyway, Ofcom, the regulator, is watching.”
Yet Murdoch, who also runs three major British newspapers – The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times – is not known for running away from a fight. Meanwhile, GB News is aiming to make its way to the market by distinguishing itself from other London broadcasters.
Recent hires from GB News include Dan Wootton of The Sun, who coined the term “Megxit” when he announced the news Meghan and Prince Harry would distance themselves from Buckingham Palace.
“I feel passionate about GB News’ bold vision to take a new approach to television news and debate that encompasses all voices and opinions in Britain,” Wootton said when his role was announced.
Gill Hind, a TV analyst at Enders Analysis, said GB News would play impartiality in a different way. She predicts that some programs may skew to the left, while others may cut to the right, and face the appearance of bias across the network. But all the programs, according to her prediction, will revolve around opinionated commentators – a different dynamic on British television.
Can Opinions Work on TV News in Britain?
“For a new channel starting in this market, which is not supported by an ITV, or a BBC or a Sky. How are you going to get an audience in the first place? It’s going to be incredibly difficult,” he said. said Hind.
Morgan’s politics tend to be unpredictable and often seem anchored to create a kind of public reaction. It could be an asset for a beginner like GB News who needs attention, Hind said.
Whether GB News can offer enough money to draw him in, however, is an open question. Meanwhile, the meticulous Murdoch operation could hamper Morgan, who according to Barwise may have to brush because he has to host a party.
“My strong expectation is that he wants a place where he can express opinions and express them very powerfully,” he said.
Even with Morgan on board, GB News and UK TV will face challenges.
GB News in particular does not have the financial support of a larger media empire. The network secured £ 60m ($ 83.5m) from investors, including Discovery and hedge fund titan Paul Marshall, but the fate was linked to the ability to deter advertisers from competitors. Hind said there were ‘question marks’ over whether brands wanted to be linked to the channel.
In the end, it will probably come down to how many Britons, comfortable with the tabloid and a few belligerent radio stations, are attracted by a more aggressive approach to TV news. Despite deep polarization in the country after Brexit, there is some skepticism that Britons will have the stomach for.
“A lot of people don’t want to listen to it 24 hours a day,” Hind said.