GB News ratings have reportedly plummeted to zero viewers amid a row about a presenter taking the knee.
The right-wing news channel ran by chairman Andrew Neil launched in June and has been plagued by technical issues since its start, with some brands removing advertising from the channel and Neil himself acknowledging that the channel had had a “rocky start”.
Now, The Guardian has reported official television audience figures produced by rating agency Barb which found that on Wednesday, the channel attracted “ no measurable audience” between 1pm and 1.30pm and again at 5pm.
The fall in ratings comes after presenter Guto Harri took the knee on Tuesday’s show in a stance of solidarity against racism.
This action followed much online racist abuse of England football players after the UEFA Euros 2020 final and occurred amid a discussion about Home Secretary Priti Patel being criticised for previously referring to the taking the knee as “gesture politics” and not condemning those who booed the England team for doing so.
(Image: GB News)
The taking of the knee from Harri prompted a backlash from some of the channel’s viewers who accused the channel of turning “woke”, betraying its conservative values, and supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
Amid the backlash, GB News presenter Neil Oliver tweeted: “My GB News teammate Guto Harri is right to say and do as he sees fit. I do the same. That’s the ethos of the channel. Free speech.
“We don’t all agree with each other – that’s the point, or else where’s the debate?”
(Image: GB News)
On Thursday night, GB News addressed the backlash from these critics, tweeting: “GB News stands four square against racism in all its forms.
“We do not have a company line on taking the knee.
“Some of our guests have been in favour, some against. All are anti-racist.
“We have editorial standards that all GB News journalists uphold.”
Despite this statement, they then added in a further tweet: “On Tuesday a contributing presenter took the knee live on air and this was an unacceptable breach of our standards…
“We let both sides of the argument down by oversimplifying a very complex issue.”
(Image: PA)
It is uncertain what breach of their standards took place, with GB’s public Editorial Charter stating that they stand for “the independence of our journalism”, “respect for opinions and those expressing them”, and the “right of every individual to form and share their views”.
Their full editorial charter is available here.
It was reported on Friday by The Guardian that Guto Harri had been “indefinitely taken off air as a presenter” by GB News.
GB News has been approached by The Mirror for comment on that report.