Political broadcaster Andrew Neil is set to launch a 24-hour, TV news channel that will rival the BBC and Sky.
Mr Neil, 71, last night announced his departure from the BBC after 25 years as a political presenter - but will now be the face and chairman of GB News.
READ MORE: BBC political presenter Andrew Neil steps down after 25 years
It has been revealed that plans are in place for “Britain’s news channel”, aimed at those who feel “underserved and unheard by their media”, to launch early next year.
The channel could change the face of the TV news landscape, currently dominated by Sky News and BBC News.
The BBC’s rolling news channel will have another rival
As well as being appointed chairman, the broadcaster will also host a flagship evening programme in primetime, leading the programming line-up.
He said: “GB News is the most exciting thing to happen in British television news for more than 20 years.
“We will champion robust, balanced debate and a range of perspectives on the issues that affect everyone in the UK, not just those living in the London area.”
Mr Neil, best known for The Andrew Neil Show, as well as This Week and Daily Politics on the BBC, added: “We’ve seen a huge gap in the market for a new form of television news.
“GB News is aimed at the vast number of British people who feel underserved and unheard by their media.”
The BBC confirmed this summer that Neil’s self-titled show would not return to TV screens after it came off air during the pandemic.
It said at the time it was in discussions about a new interview series, but those discussions bore no fruit.
BBC statement on @afneil pic.twitter.com/kEK8smC8QN
— BBC News Press Team (@BBCNewsPR) September 25, 2020
The BBC has thanked Mr Neil for his work at the corporation and wished him luck in his new role.
A statement said: “We’d like to give our heartfelt thanks to Andrew for his many years of work for the BBC, during which he’s informed and entertained millions of viewers.
READ MORE: BBC Scotland vow to show Covid briefings on TV next week following backlash
“From his early broadcasting days on Despatch Box in the 1990s to his recent forensic and agenda-setting political interviews, be has proved a formidable and hugely talented broadcaster.
“For years, he was at the heart of the irreverent and much-loved This Week and played a key role in the Daily and Sunday Politics, Politics Live and the BBC’s general election coverage.
“We wish Andrew every success in his new role; we’re sorry the US election coverage will be his last BBC presentation work for the foreseeable future but he will always be welcome at the BBC.”
Important thread (for me!): With heavy heart I announce I will be leaving the BBC. Despite sterling efforts by new DG to come up with other programming opportunities, it could not quite repair damage done when Andrew Neil Show cancelled early summer + Politics Live taken off air
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) September 25, 2020
In a statement posted on Twitter, the highly-respected political interviewer said he left the BBC with “no animosity or desire to settle scores”.
He said: “With heavy heart I announce I will be leaving the BBC.
“Despite sterling efforts by new DG to come up with other programming opportunities, it could not quite repair damage done when Andrew Neil Show cancelled early summer + Politics Live taken off air.
“But I leave with no animosity or desire to settle scores. I look back on my 25 years doing live political programmes for the BBC with affection.
“And gratitude for brilliant colleagues at Millbank, who always made sure I went into the studio fully briefed and equipped for the fray.
“They were/are the best of the best. If they can make me look good, they can make anybody look good.”
Mr Neil also responded to the BBC’s statement, saying he was leaving with a “tear in my eye”.
GB News has announced that it hopes to create at least 120 jobs, including journalists in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
GB News plans to feature more than 6,500 hours of content a year, made exclusively for the channel, which has secured broadcasting licences from Ofcom.
It has been founded by media executives Andrew Cole and Mark Schneider.
They said: “Andrew Neil epitomises what GB News is all about.
“He’s an exceptional journalist, brilliant interviewer and fearlessly independent.”
The channel is forecasted to reach 96% of British television households via Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.
GB News will broadcast seven days a week across the UK and Ireland and will be available globally on GB News digital platforms.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel