The news and discussion channel will launch on Sky, Virgin Media, Freeview and Freesat. On streaming TV platforms, the channel will take over from TalkRADIO TV.
TalkTV will officially launch on Monday 25th April, headlined by former Good Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan. In what is advertised as a “fearless forum for lively, intelligent debate and agenda-setting interviews”, Morgan’s new show Piers Morgan Uncensored promises to “celebrate free speech and the right for people to share their views”.
Other evening shows include a nightly news debate programme presented by Tom Newton-Dunn, recently of Times Radio. Sharon Osbourne also joins the channel for an hour long show on weeknights.
TalkTV’s mission is reach everyone in the UK, either via traditional TV platforms or through online streaming or social media.
Part of Rupert Murdoch’s News UK, TalkTV will broadcast from state-of-the-art studio facilities in Ealing and and London Bridge.
Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin Media availablity
The channel will be available on all four main TV platforms. On satellite and cable, the channel will be available in HD. On Freeview, the channel will launch in standard definition.
TalkTV channel numbers (as published by News UK on 12th April):
Sky channel 526, Freesat channel 217, Freeview channel 237, Virgin Media channel 627
Online streaming
TalkTV will launch on Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Samsung TV Plus and on YouTube, as well as via the Talk.TV website and TalkTV iOS and Android apps. TalkTV will also be available on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and Twitter.
TalkRADIO changes
TalkRADIO will become the audio home of TalkTV: all primetime shows will be available on TalkRADIO, replacing its current schedule.
During the daytime, TalkTV will simulcast TalkRADIO’s shows – as currently already seen on TalkRADIO TV. This means viewers can watch Julia Hartley-Brewer, Mike Collins and Jeremy Kyle’s shows on TalkTV.
In effect, TalkTV will be doing the reverse of GB News. GB News first launched on TV and then became available on radio. TalkTV is effectively an extension of TalkRADIO.
The show will form part of the primetime launch schedule for TalkTV, which will begin broadcasting live in the UK on Monday 25th April from state-of-the-art studio facilities in Ealing and at News UK’s News Building headquarters in London Bridge.
Scott Taunton, EVP, President of Broadcasting, News UK commented:
“TalkTV will be a new voice for viewers who are interested in straight talking opinions and expert insight on news and current affairs. The channel has been designed for the streaming age and will be accessible on linear TV as well as via social and on demand programming.
We have a roster of new talent who will bring compelling new shows to the screen every weekday evening, alongside journalists from across News UK who have expertise in every genre. Our existing professional talent on TalkRadio already have their own followings and we will be bringing these popular and informed discussions about news and current affairs to a wider audience. Our launch schedule should get the nation talking and bring new choice to viewers in the market.”
TalkTV says it will publish more details on each individual show, plus a full schedule shortly.
updated 12/04/2022 with channel numbers