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GB News has overtaken Rupert Murdoch’s TalkTV to secure a channel spot on Virgin Media which will step up its fight for viewers.
The emerging news network will move from channel 626 to the more prominent 604 spot in the pay-TV operator’s channel guide this month, according to Virgin Media’s website.
The move will strengthen his challenge to the BBC, bringing GB News closer to the 24-hour news channels BBC and Sky. Channel 604 sits between Sky News and BBC Parliament, while BBC News HD has slot 601.
Analysts have pointed to GB News and TalkTV’s less competitive position on TV channel menus as one of the reasons why they have not garnered a larger audience.
The loss to the rival is another blow to Murdoch’s self-confident news station, which has struggled to oust GB News and was forced to ax the Tory leadership debate. presenter Kate McCann fainted live.
TalkTV has been in a bidding war with GB News for a higher slot as it ranks 627th in Virgin Media’s channel menu, placing it below international news networks such as Al Jazeera, CNBC and France 24.
Mr Murdoch, who also owns The Sun and The Times newspapers, was in talks to invest in GB News but later decided to launch his own new channel.
His decision was supported by a bet big on embattled host Piers Morgan, the former host of ITV’s Good Morning Britain, who stopped broadcasting last year.
Mr Morgan joined forces with the media mogul shortly after he said he did not believe the Duchess of Sussex when she said she had suicidal thoughts in a US television interview with Oprah Winfrey.
He has a massive deal with News Corp, the owner of News UK, which includes a column in the Sun and the New York Post, a book deal with HarperCollins and contributions to Fox News.
However, TalkTV shows are struggling for viewers. The News Desk with Tom Newton Dunn and Piers Morgan uncensored averaged 2,500 and 33,900 viewers in the 7pm and 8pm timeslots on 28 July.
The 7pm GB News show, hosted by former UKIP leader Nigel Farage, was watched by 64,000 viewers and the 8pm show by 46,000. BBC News attracted 72,000 and 58,000 viewers in the 7pm and 8pm time slots.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Kyle, a former ITV presenter, is set to replace Mr Morgan on his eponymous show when he takes a summer break to film a series of true crime documentaries as part of his News Corp contract.
Virgin Media and GB News have been contacted for comment. TalkTV declined to comment.
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