Rupert Murdoch has insisted there are no plans to shut down TalkTV, despite concerns over poor viewing figures.
There had been reports that Murdoch was looking at closing the year-old channel before the end of the year if audiences failed to improve.
A News UK spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph: “There are no plans nor any discussions about closing TalkTV.”
TalkTV launched last April, combining the output of TalkRadio with shows presented from new TV studios built at the group’s headquarters in London Bridge.
High profile presenters included Piers Morgan, whose nightly show is also syndicated the Australia and the United States and has featured guests including Donald Trump and Cristiano Ronaldo.
However, it has failed to attract audiences with its monthly reach standing at 1.8 million in May, compared with 3.4 million for GB News, 9 million for Sky News and 11 million for BBC News.
One suggestion from insiders is that the station should rebrand as Sun TV – News UK already operates TimesRadio – with presenter Jeremy Kyle recording promotional links.
A presenter shakeup seems likely, Tom Newton Dunn has been off-screen for several weeks, while political editor Kate McCann is leaving to join TimesRadio.
