Murdoch hires Piers Morgan for new show airing in Australia
Piers Morgan is to join the Rupert Murdoch-owned News Corp and Fox News Media, the company has announced.
Morgan will host a new show which will air in the US, UK and Australia - his first major new presenting job since leaving ITV's Good Morning Britain in March this year.
"Piers is the broadcaster every channel wants but is too afraid to hire," Murdoch said in a statement.
The show will air on the newly-announced talkTV in the UK, Fox Nation in the US, and Sky News Australia.
Morgan tweets ‘I’ve gone home’
Morgan has commented on his move to News Corp saying: ‘I’ve gone home’.
‘Great to be rejoining Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation after 28 years,’ he tweeted.
‘The place I started my media career, with the boss who gave me my first big break. We’re going to have a lot of fun...’
Morgan began his media career at News Corp more than 30 years ago, working for the Murdoch-owned tabloids The Sun and News of the World in the 1980s and 1990s.
"Rupert Murdoch has been a constant and fearless champion of free speech and we are going to be building something new and very exciting together," Morgan added.
"I want my global show to be a fearless forum for lively debate and agenda-setting interviews, and a place that celebrates the right of everyone to have an opinion, and for those opinions to be vigorously examined and challenged."
In addition to his new TV show, Morgan will also become a columnist for The Sun and The New York Post.
It’s not yet clear yet whether this means he will step down from his current post as columnist for the Daily Mail.
Morgan will also write a new book with publisher and News Corp subsidiary, Harper Collins, and present a series of true crime documentaries.
Murdoch says “Piers is a brilliant presenter”
In his statement, Murdoch said: "Piers is a brilliant presenter, a talented journalist and says what people are thinking and feeling.
"He has many passionate fans around the world and we look forward to expanding his audience in the UK, at Fox Nation, Sky News Australia, The Sun and the New York Post."
Rebekah Brooks, chief executive of News UK, said: "Piers will be the most brilliant primetime draw for our new talkTV service and a fantastic columnist for The Sun. Sun readers love Piers and I am delighted that he is back."
Morgan left Good Morning Britain six months ago
Known for his bold statements and sometimes controversial comments, Morgan left Good Morning Britain six months ago after saying he didn’t “believe a word” of what Meghan Markle said in her notorious interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Ofcom, the British media regulator, received 58,000 complaints and Morgan was investigated but he was recently cleared by the regulator. Ofcom said Morgan’s comments were ‘potentially harmful’ but were allowed because of ‘freedom of expression.’
Britain’s talkTV is set to shake up the news landscape
Murdoch’s new talkTV in Britain could shake up the television news landscape there because it’s generally characterised by staid and down-the-middle coverage.
But its success isn’t guaranteed. Another newcomer - GB News - which prioritises on-air personalities and opinion over straight news, has struggled since its launch in June.
The new TV channel will be streamed live, with content available via on-demand platforms and clipped up for social media. The channel is said to be launching in early 2022.
Image: Getty Images