PRESENTER Eamonn Holmes has spoken brutally about the future of broadcasting and what he thinks is in store for ITV – home to his ex-wife Ruth Langsford.
The former This Morning host shared some sobering thoughts about what’s ahead for shows, including Loose Women.
Speaking at An Audience With… Eamonn Holmes at London’s The Hippodrome Casino, he commented on the state of the box.
The 66-year-old explained to host Hayley Palmer: “Television has really changed.
“There’s not the budgets associated with programmes anymore, and you’ve got to ask yourselves, ‘Do you even watch TV anymore?’ And if so, ‘What programmes do you watch?’
“It’s going to change more and more. It’s quite obvious now that TV now can’t afford programmes like This Morning.
“For the audience they get from what money they spend on it, that’s a danger sign, which is a great pity.”
The GB News host suggested that budget cuts at ITV might mean big changes for iconic shows like This Morning and Loose Women.
The star – who hosted This Morning for 15 years with ITV star Ruth – didn’t hold back when it came to the landscape of TV.
He predicted: “What’s going to happen next, you’re going to lose ITV.
“No doubt about it. It’ll be sold to an American company or something and then they’re going to make it into a streaming company.
“I can’t see ITV lasting much longer.”
When asked if it could be saved, he said bluntly: “I don’t think it can save itself.
“Honestly, 10 years from now, it’ll be all over, but you’ll get it all on Sky or whatever.
“You will not have general audience stuff like ITV and Channel 4. They’ll not exist anymore.”
He added: “The BBC is big enough. It’ll have a much-reduced budget, but it’s big enough for radio to be involved in it as well.
“I think it’ll stay and there’ll be a national outcry if anything happened to the BBC.”
Eamonn concluded: “I’ve been very lucky to have always enjoyed the jobs.
“I didn’t have to work on a programme that I didn’t want to be on, which was good.”
Loose Women panelist Ruth recently penned her first book Feeling Fabulous after her split from her husband of 14 years.
The much-loved telly couple announced their separation in May 2024 after 27 years of being together.
Her memoir bravely saw her open up on the “huge shock” of her split and how she sought therapy for her trauma.
Eamonn recently hailed girlfriend Katie Alexander “the perfect tonic” after taking a break from his TV job as he continues to face a host of health complications.
The star – who underwent major spinal surgery in 2022 for slipped discs – heaped praise on his younger partner while insisting that mentally he’s “still on the ball” after 40 years in broadcasting.
Eamonn has spoken openly about his “horrendous” health battle over the past few years and opened up about being forced to use a wheelchair due to his crippling pain.
