Launch TalkTV

[telebox2001]

The Spectator TV segment on it is very interesting and there are a lot of good points about the boom in this kind of service. But they all ignore the fact non of them are likely or really exist to make a profit. LBC can probably only spend the big money thanks to the success of Global’s other brands, likewise Talk TV with News UK. And we know GB News was set up for largely ideological reasons, by rich backers getting money out of their back pockets. They can all continue to exist if their owners are prepared to take the hits, but I largely agree with Steve’s post and the audience alone probably won’t sustain most of these.

LBC works for Global politically - they've been able to lobby for major dereg on the Capital, Heart and Smooth networks but can say "Look, we're giving you a national news and talk station!"

Talk have owners who can afford to play the long game.

GB News is probably the most vulnerable here.

I think it's one of the reasons why Murdoch now has Times Radio as the credible mainstream speech station alongside TalkTV for the Sun demographic as his newspaper sales dwindle along with his influence in the UK.

It helps for Global that they're willing to invest in actual talent off and on-air to make sure LBC works and is influential in the Westminster Bubble, which is no mean feat considering the only other real choice for politicians is to go on the Today Programme on Radio 4.

LBC made a profit of £3m in 2021, so it's no longer a drain on Global's resources, despite the heavy staffing required compared to a sister music station.

Totally agree.  But I've always felt LBC is there more as a strategic weapon.  When you're providing a credible commercial competitor to Radio 4 and 5Live's news/factual operations it's a lot easier to push through dereg on the music networks.  And of course, there's another economy of scale here - thanks to the various news teams at the regional hubs for the music networks they have all regions much better covered than GBN or Talk when it comes to "regional reporters."