Piers Morgan Exits News UK in Deal for YouTube Venture
Piers Morgan Exits News UK in Deal for YouTube Venture.
The vocal broadcaster's production firm is set to acquire control of his Uncensored YouTube channel as part of an arrangement that will establish a four-year revenue-sharing partnership with Rupert Murdoch's UK subsidiary.
Piers Morgan, the prominent broadcaster and journalist, is departing from Rupert Murdoch's British media empire to concentrate on the growth of his Uncensored YouTube channel in the United States and other global markets. This move highlights the increasing trend among notable media personalities to distance themselves from conventional media platforms.
Morgan and News UK, the publisher of The Sun and The Times and owner of Times Radio, have reached an agreement that allows him to take control of the Uncensored media brand, along with its existing subscriber base of 3.6 million on YouTube, through his production company, Wake Up Productions.
It is reported that he has negotiated a four-year revenue-sharing arrangement with News UK, which will enable the Murdoch-owned entity to receive a portion of the advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan Uncensored until 2029.
Mr. Morgan rejoined News UK in January 2022 under a three-year contract that included writing regular columns for The Sun and the New York Post, in addition to hosting programs on the now-defunct television channel, Talk TV.
Sources familiar with the matter indicate that a book deal with the Murdoch-owned publisher Harper Collins will proceed, with Mr. Morgan anticipated to finalize that project later this year.
Additionally, he is expected to continue contributing occasionally to News Corporation's newspapers, as per one insider's account.
Mr. Morgan's future has become a topic of increasing speculation following the conclusion of his three-year contract with News UK at the end of 2024.
In conjunction with his new arrangements, Mr. Morgan has entered into an agreement with Red Seat Ventures, a US-based agency that collaborates with notable media personalities and influencers to assist them in capitalizing on commercial opportunities through sponsorships and various revenue channels.
Red Seat Ventures has previously partnered with individuals such as Megyn Kelly, the American commentator, and Tucker Carlson, the former Fox News host.
Additionally, it is reported that Mr. Morgan has garnered interest from several American media organizations regarding potential commercial and broadcasting agreements, having distinguished himself as one of the few British personalities to host his own television talk show on a major US network.
The saying "One day you're the cock of the walk, the next you're the feather duster" resonates with him throughout different stages of his career. His most recent agreement illustrates the evolving landscape of media consumption.
Responding to an enquiry from Sky News on Wednesday morning, Mr Morgan said in a statement: "I have had a great time working back at News and am delighted that we will continue to be partners.
"Owning the brand allows my team and I the freedom to focus exclusively on building Uncensored into a standalone business, editorially and commercially, and in time, widening it from just me and my content.
"It's clear from the recent US election that YouTube is an increasingly powerful and influential media platform, and Uncensored is one of the fastest-growing shows on it in the world.
"I'm very excited about the potential for Uncensored."
Mr. Morgan refrained from providing any comments regarding other facets of his new agreement with News UK or his plans for expansion prior to an official announcement, which is anticipated to occur later on Wednesday.
His choice to pursue an independent path—while maintaining a relationship with News UK—is believed to stem from his conviction that broadcast audiences will progressively transition from traditional channels to platforms like YouTube.
"He thinks YouTube will be a dominant broadcasting platform in terms of audience share within a couple of years," said one.
The exact revenue distribution between Wake Up Productions and News UK during their four-year collaboration remains uncertain.
Initially, he is anticipated to concentrate on broadening Uncensored's reach to American audiences, with plans for a more extensive international strategy to be developed subsequently.
On Tuesday, Mr. Morgan shared on X his belief that an interview with Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla who has recently ignited significant debate in British politics, is "getting closer."
Other notable guests on his YouTube program have included Donald Trump during his first term, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and football star Cristiano Ronaldo.
RELATED: Piers Morgan's Net Worth: How the TV Host Built His Fortune.
Piers Morgan's departure from News UK and shift toward focusing on his Uncensored YouTube channel raises concerns about his future in mainstream media. While the move signals his desire for independence, it also highlights the potential risks of distancing himself from established media networks.
The evolving media landscape may prove challenging, and his reliance on YouTube as a primary platform could limit his influence, especially with increasing competition from other content creators. Additionally, the lack of clarity on his revenue-sharing deal with News UK further adds to uncertainties regarding his long-term success in this new venture.