The future of GMTV is in doubt after ITV became the sole owner of the breakfast broadcaster - it is facing the axe over its poor ratings and the continued success of the BBC's breakfast offerings...
The future of GMTV is in doubt after ITV became the sole owner of the breakfast broadcaster.
ITV, which already owns 75 per cent of the early morning television show, announced it had bought the remaining stake from Disney for £18 million.
Following the announcement, GMTV staff were told yesterday that a review would begin this week looking at all aspects of the operation.
Despite a revamp and a new line-up announced in the past 12 months - featuring Emma Crosby, the former Sky business broadcaster, and Kate Garraway - GMTV has seen ratings plummet to an average of 900,000, while BBC Breakfast and Radio 4's Today programme have seen figures increase.
GMTV has long been a breakfast favourite, once drawing in six million viewers a day. However, it was damaged by revelations of fraud in its premium rate phone-in competitions in 2007. It was fined £2 million for duping viewers into paying to enter a competition they could not win.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE WORLD NEWS
I never know what to buy my family for Christmas - but these luxurious Hotel Chocolat gifts are guaranteed crowd-pleasers
Why Chappell Roan will 'say something controversial' if she wins a Grammy
All the winners from the British Fashion Awards and why they matter
