Eamonn Holmes, the outspoken TV presenter, has raised concerns about the future of ITV, particularly the network’s flagship shows This Morning and Loose Women, and even the career of his ex-wife, Ruth Langsford. The 66-year-old star, who co-hosted This Morning with Ruth for over 15 years, believes ITV is heading for tough times due to recent financial struggles and widespread budget cuts.
During an appearance at An Audience With… Eamonn Holmes at London’s Hippodrome Casino, the seasoned presenter opened up about his thoughts on the future of ITV, claiming that its days as a major broadcaster might be numbered.
The Budget Cuts That Could Mean the End for ITV Shows
Earlier this year, ITV made the drastic decision to axe over 220 jobs and reduce its programming to a “seasonal basis,” including shows like Loose Women and Lorraine. The cost-cutting measures, which have already led to a more streamlined and less extensive programming lineup, raised alarm bells within the industry.
Eamonn believes these cuts are a “danger sign” for ITV’s most iconic shows. According to him, This Morning, once an unshakeable staple in daytime television, may not survive the current economic strain. He argued that the money spent on the show is no longer justified by the ratings it brings in.
He stated, “Television has really changed. There are no longer the budgets associated with programmes anymore. You have to ask yourself, ‘Do you even watch TV anymore?’ And if so, ‘What programmes do you watch?’”
He added that he fears ITV’s future is bleak, saying, “It’s quite obvious now that TV can’t afford programmes like This Morning. For the audience they get from what money they spend on it, that’s a danger sign.”
Eamonn went on to say that this decline may not be limited to ITV alone. “Channel 4 will not exist anymore,” he predicted. “It’s all going to change, and in 10 years, TV will look completely different. General audience stuff like ITV and Channel 4? Gone.”
Will ITV Be Sold to an American Company?
Amidst the upheaval at ITV, the broadcaster revealed in November that it was in talks to sell its Media and Entertainment unit to Sky for £1.6 billion. However, those talks seem to have slowed down in recent months. Eamonn believes that an American media giant is likely to buy ITV soon, with a focus on transforming it into a streaming platform.
“Eventually, you’re going to lose ITV, no doubt about it,” he said. “It’ll be sold to an American company, and then it’ll become a streaming service. I can’t see ITV lasting much longer.”
While he expressed doubts about the future of ITV, Eamonn was more optimistic about the publicly-funded BBC. “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.”
Ruth Langsford’s Future at ITV
One of the more personal implications of Eamonn’s comments centers around his ex-wife, Ruth Langsford. Eamonn, who split from Ruth in 2024 after 14 years of marriage, believes that the budget cuts and ITV’s financial woes may soon affect her career as well.
Although Ruth has been a beloved presence on Loose Women for years, Eamonn suggested that her time at ITV could be coming to an end. “It’s a danger sign for all of ITV, including Ruth’s role,” he said. “The landscape is changing, and people in her position might be the first to go.”
Despite this, Eamonn has nothing but respect for Ruth, noting that he always enjoyed their work together. “I was very lucky to have always enjoyed the jobs I did,” he said. “I didn’t have to work on a programme that I didn’t want to be on.”
Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford’s Split
Eamonn and Ruth’s professional and personal split in 2024 shocked many of their fans, especially as they had been the charming on-screen couple for years. They co-hosted the Friday editions of This Morning from 2006 to 2021, becoming one of the show’s most recognizable duos.
Since their departure, ITV has made several changes to This Morning, with Cat Deeley and Ben Shephard taking over the regular hosting duties. The departure of longtime stars like Eamonn and Ruth has left many questioning what’s next for the network.
Eamonn Holmes’ Fiery Encounter with Mariah Carey
In a lighter moment during his appearance, Eamonn recalled a hilarious and slightly scandalous encounter with pop diva Mariah Carey. He revealed that during an interview with Mariah, she arrived four hours late and immediately lay down on a chaise longue, claiming to be exhausted. Eamonn, who had been waiting for hours, decided to lie down beside her, stating that they could both relax during the interview.
Eamonn’s bold move reportedly sparked fury from Mariah’s team, but he was unphased. “Ms. Carey is tired; I’ve been up earlier than she has, so we’re both going to lie down,” he recalled. “There were ruptions about this! But I said, ‘One way this interview is happening, either we both lie down, or we both sit up.’”
Eventually, Eamonn walked out on the interview, declaring, “I’m not doing the interview if she’s not going to sit up.” The hilarious encounter only added to Eamonn’s reputation for being unafraid to speak his mind, no matter the consequences.
The Future of ITV and TV’s Changing Landscape
As the broadcasting world continues to evolve, the future of ITV remains uncertain. With budget cuts affecting major programs and shifting viewer habits, the question of whether traditional television can survive in its current form is more pressing than ever.
Eamonn Holmes, always an outspoken voice in the industry, has made it clear that the changes at ITV are more than just a shakeup—they could mark the beginning of the end for the network. As he predicts a future dominated by streaming services and foreign ownership, it’s clear that ITV, as we know it, may not be long for this world.
The fate of This Morning, Loose Women, and other beloved ITV shows hangs in the balance, as Eamonn’s grim outlook raises more questions than answers about the future of television in the UK.
Source: Daily Mail – https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
