The lively, hour-long prime time show will give viewers the news that matters to them in a straight and balanced way, says News UK.
News UK's stable of specialist journalists from print and broadcast will join Tom every night to share the latest in their fields, from The Times's political team to The Sun's showbiz desk, talkSPORT's correspondents as well as business reporters from across News Corp’s titles. It will also feature agenda-setting interviews and a regular discussion panel drawn from across the political spectrum, says the company.
The programme will be broadcast Monday to Friday live from The News Building, News UK’s headquarters at London Bridge. Caitlin Black, formerly a senior producer at Good Morning Britain, has been appointed as Series Editor and Tom will also be the programme’s Executive Editor to drive its content with Caitlin.
Currently Times Radio’s Chief Political Commentator, Tom stepped down from that role yesterday. But he will continue to host the station’s flagship Sunday morning politics show T&G until talkTV’s launch in early 2022. He will continue contributing to Times Radio and The Times after that.
Tom said: “I’ve been incredibly lucky to play a part in major new media innovations, from the birth of Sun Online to most recently Times Radio, which has reset the dial on what quality news radio can achieve, and I’m pleased to be still playing a part on the station. The chance to be at the helm of a new primetime news programme on an innovative new TV channel though really is a career dream come true. We want to bring viewers high quality news in a fresh and different way that best serves them. We can’t wait to start.”
The show will form part of the prime time launch schedule for the talkTV, and will air ahead of a major new show from broadcaster Piers Morgan.
Rebekah Brooks, CEO of News UK, said: “talkTV will create a new voice in UK media, bringing the best of our journalism to the screen and offering choice to the consumer. As we evolve our programming ahead of launch, making high profile hires on and off air, I am delighted that Tom is joining Piers in our prime time lineup.
“Tom’s scoops have led the news agenda on many occasions over two decades, both for The Sun and latterly for Times Radio. This new format will deliver the news of the day, breaking stories, as well as hosting discussion and interviews. I am sure Tom’s show will become a must-watch for viewers up and down the country.”
Scott Taunton, CEO of News UK Broadcasting, said: “Tom is one of the most talented journalists and broadcasters of his generation. He is respected at the highest levels for getting to the heart of the matter, and his award-winning career is testament to his ability to set the news agenda nationally and internationally. We will continue to build out the talkTV team, and our broadcasting infrastructure, as we prepare for launch.”
News UK Broadcasting continues to hire a roster of off- and on-air talent for talkTV. Recent weeks have seen the appointment of Vivek Sharma, former Deputy Editor of ITV’s This Morning and currently Series Editor of Steph’s Packed Lunch on Channel 4, as Executive Producer, News UK Broadcasting, with responsibility for talkTV’s output. Meanwhile Erron Gordon, who launched Good Morning Britain and politics show Peston for ITV, was named Executive Creative Director and Head of Studio Output for News UK Broadcasting in September. Both report to Winnie Dunbar Nelson, Executive Editor, TV for News UK Broadcasting.
According to News UK, talkTV will offer a mix of programming. There will be proper news bulletins, sports and entertainment shows, as well as current affairs, debate, opinion and documentaries which call on the expertise of journalists and broadcasters from across News UK’s roster of brands, including talkRADIO, talkSPORT, Virgin Radio, Times Radio, The Sun, The Times and The Sunday Times.
The channel will be streamed live and made widely available on all platforms, including linear TV and OTT, with content available across social media as well as News UK’s own broad inventory of websites and apps. Everyone in the UK will be able to access the channel and its programming, live or on-demand, either on their television or on any personal device, says News UK.
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