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Andrew Neil is launching a 24 hour television channel to compete with the BBC and Sky news.
The announcer will be the face and president of GB News, signaling the end of his relationship with the BBC, where he has been one of the most respected political interviewers.
He said the channel would be aimed at those who feel “neglected and unheard by their media,” and is scheduled to launch early next year.
The channel could revolutionize the British television news landscape, currently dominated by Sky News and BBC News.
In addition to being named president, the 71-year-old announcer and former Sunday Times editor will host a landmark show in the evening.
He said: “GB News is the most exciting thing to happen on British television news for over 20 years.
“We will advocate for a robust and balanced debate and a variety of perspectives on issues affecting everyone in the UK, not just those living in the London area.”
Neil, best known for The Andrew Neil Show, as well as This Week and Daily Politics on the BBC, added: “We have seen a huge gap in the market for a new form of television news.
“GB News is aimed at the large number of Brits who feel neglected and unheard by their media.”
The BBC confirmed this summer that Neil’s self-titled show would not return to television screens after it went off the air during the pandemic.
He said he was in discussions at the time about a new series of interviews with Neil.
Neil recently dismissed speculation that he was in the running to be the next BBC president, saying on Twitter that he “has no interest in the job.”
Recent guidance from new BBC CEO Tim Davie on curbing employee use of Twitter was thought to be aimed at stars like Neil, who had been accused of showing their opinions in his online comments.
The BBC thanked Neil for his work on Friday evening and said in a statement: “We wish Andrew every success in his new role; We regret that the coverage of the US elections will be his last BBC presentation work for the foreseeable future, but he will always be welcome on the BBC. “
In a statement posted on Twitter, Neil said Davie’s “excellent efforts” may not “fully repair” the damage caused by the cancellation of his Politics Live program.
He said: “With a heavy heart I announce that I will leave the BBC. Despite excellent efforts by the new CEO to find other programming opportunities, he was unable to repair the damage done when Andrew Neil Show canceled earlier this summer + Politics Live went off the air. But I leave without animosity or desire to settle accounts. I remember my 25 years doing live political programs for the BBC fondly. “
At a time when the BBC and commercial media companies are cutting jobs, GB News said it expects to create at least 120 jobs.
This will include more than 100 journalist jobs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland with the channel, in which global media and entertainment company Discovery, Inc is the main investor.
GB News will feature more than 6,500 hours of content per year, produced exclusively for the channel, which has obtained broadcast licenses from Ofcom.
It has been founded by media executives Andrew Cole and Mark Schneider.
They said: “Andrew Neil personifies what GB News is all about. He is an exceptional journalist, a brilliant interviewer and fearlessly independent. “
They plan that the channel will reach 96% of British households with television through Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.
GB News will broadcast seven days a week in the UK and Ireland and will be available globally on GB News’ digital platforms.
Sky launched a 24-hour news channel in 1989 and the BBC followed, in the UK, in 1997.
Angelos Frangopoulos, former CEO of Sky News Australia, has been appointed CEO.
