‘It’s a breath of fresh air’: Viewers lap up launch night of GB News as ‘a lifeline’
‘It’s a breath of fresh air’: Viewers lap up launch night of GB News describing it as ‘a lifeline for the despairing public’
- Viewers have praised GB News for ‘refreshing’ take on British news as it launches
- Andrew Neil began the show by calling ‘cancel culture’ a ‘threat to democracy’
- Right-leaning channel aims to cater to those under-represented in Brexit debate
GB News viewers have taken to social media to praise the launch of the ‘refreshing’ TV channel as it becomes the first new broadcaster to hit the UK’s airwaves in 24 years.
The right-leaning channel, which aims to cater to a broad audience including those under-represented in the 2016 Brexit debate, was a hit with viewers as it began on Sunday night with an introduction to the GB News team by presenter Andrew Neil.
Neil began the show by calling ‘cancel culture’ a ‘threat to democracy’, telling viewers: ‘GB News will not be yet another echo chamber for the metropolitan mindset that dominates much of the media’.
Viewers took to social media calling the addition to British television ‘a breath of fresh air’ and ‘a lifeline for the despairing public’. GB News is the first new channel to launch since BBC News 24 in 1997.
Viewer Siân Davidson wrote: ‘Great to have a news channel where different views are shared rather than one viewpoint and Andrew Neil launching it #GBNews.’
Praising Neil’s introduction to the station author Martin Knight wrote: ‘Andrew Neil has just thrown a lifeline to the despairing viewing public. An inspiring introduction promising much. #GBNews’
Dan Wootton during ‘Dan’s Digest’ in the opening GB News broadcast this evening
Another GB News viewer, Jonathon, tweeted: ‘Well done Andrew Neil – a brilliant, refreshing and much needed introduction to our new news station!’
Liam Fitzsimmons tweeted: ‘One thing I’d personally like to see is @GBNEWS actually represent the North West – Not just #Manchester, but my home city of #Liverpool too. For far too long, the @BBC and @ITV have neglected us in favour of Manchester and that shouldn’t always be the case. #GBNews.’
ITV’s Eamonn Holmes showed his support for GB News, tweeting: ‘I hope @GBNEWS gets a decent chance …. we need a shake up on the News front . May it keep all the other News providers on their toes. I have huge respect for TV news but this is a reminder that News is not just Westminster or a constant woke agenda.’
Whilst Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘Good luck to my old mucker Andrew Neil and to Angelos Frangopoulos & the whole team on the launch of @GBNEWS tonight. Great to see a new TV news network on the airwaves & already making waves.’
Viewer Eduardo Noga wrote: ‘@GBNEWS Fresh breath of air in the news television war. A independent channel that is not afraid to speak up. We so needed it.’
The right-leaning channel was a hit with viewers as it began tonight with an introduction to the GB News team by presenter Andrew Neil (left)
Viewers rushed to social media to praise the ‘refreshing’ and ‘much needed’ addition to British television, which is the first to launch since BBC News 24 in 1997
Viewer Aaron Healey wrote: ‘#GBNews lovely to see all the triggered woke brigade aghast at having a channel not bowing to their woke b********.’
Another viewer, Richard Sims, praised the ‘fantastic’ channel for ‘already asking the right questions that the BBC or Sky would never ask’.
Jim Crozier wrote: ‘Just tuned into @GBNEWS and loving how Andrew Neil is already giving it both barrels! I don’t think I’ve ever been excited to watch the news.’
As the channel cut to its first advertisement break some Twitter users questioned whether the brands who chose to advertise on the channel would face retaliation.
Martin Daubney wrote: ‘First ever @GBNEWS advertiser that the morons will want to cancel is… Kelloggs!’
ITV’s Eamonn Holmes showed his support for GB News, tweeting: ‘I hope GB News gets a decent chance’
Whilst Piers Morgan tweeted: ‘Good luck to my old mucker Andrew Neil and to Angelos Frangopoulos’
Another viewer added: ”… if it matters to you… it matters to us.. Hector has left the building..’ 5 minutes in, what an introduction by Andrew Neil!!! … … love it already, this is my news channel now !!!’
Angus Walker wrote: ‘Clear sense of direction outlined in @GBNEWS launch opening statement from @afneil but not sure why the picture quality is so fuzzy.’
Neil’s show is set to contain a segment called ‘Woke Watch’, and later in the show Dan Wootton will interview Lord Alan Sugar.
As the channel cut to its first advertisement break some Twitter users questioned whether the numerous high profile advertisers will face retaliation from those with opposing views
Neil told London’s Evening Standard newspaper: ‘We are for people who think the existing channels don’t quite represent how they see things.’
John McAndrew, GB News’ director of news and programming, said: ‘Our presenters will have the freedom to say what they think, to have some fun and to be brave about the issues that really matter to the people of Britain.’
The station, which has a staff of 140 journalists based at newly acquired offices in west London, has attracted a string of high-profile UK broadcasters.
The channel, which is billed as ‘Britain’s news channel’ – with a logo featuring the red white and blue of the Union Jack – has been forced to fend off unfavourable comparisons to the firebrand and divisive populism of US network Fox News.
McAndrew told trade publication Press Gazette this week the channel will not be a ‘hate-filled divisive shout-fest’.
Prior to taking the role on at GB News Neil worked for 25 years at the BBC, edited the Sunday Times and founded Britain’s last successful TV start-up, Sky.
