Former This Morning presenter Eamonn Holmes has delivered a grim forecast for the future of television, predicting that traditional broadcasters like ITV and Channel 4 could disappear entirely within the next decade. The veteran broadcaster, who spent decades working for ITV, has spotted worrying "danger signs" that signal a fundamental shift in the industry.
Eamonn Holmes' Stark Warning for Television
Speaking at An Audience With... Eamonn Holmes event at London's The Hippodrome Casino, the 66-year-old presenter claimed television "has changed" in ways that threaten its traditional business model. Holmes explained that funding for programmes has dramatically decreased, making it "quite obvious now that TV now can't afford programmes like This Morning."
The Changing Landscape of Television Viewing
Holmes believes the way people consume television content is evolving rapidly and will "change more and more" in coming years. He issued a brutal prediction for shows like This Morning, stating: "For the audience they get from what money they spend on it, that's a danger sign, which is a great pity."
The presenter, who joined GMTV in 1993 and later appeared on This Morning for over 15 years alongside his then-wife Ruth Langsford, has a unique perspective on the industry's evolution. He currently presents the breakfast show on GB News alongside Isabel Webster.
Predictions for Traditional Broadcasters
Holmes went further in his predictions, suggesting that traditional broadcasters could vanish entirely. "Honestly, 10 years from now, it'll be all over, but you'll get it all on Sky or whatever," he declared. "You will not have general audience stuff like ITV and Channel 4. They'll not exist anymore."
He specifically predicted that ITV would eventually be "sold to an American company" as the industry consolidates and traditional models collapse. Programmes would migrate to subscription services, fundamentally altering the television landscape that has existed for decades.
The BBC's Unique Position
Despite his dire predictions for commercial broadcasters, Holmes believes the BBC will withstand these changes, though with significant adjustments. He forecasts that the national broadcaster would operate with a "much-reduced budget" but would survive due to public support.
Holmes suggested there would be a "national outcry" should "anything happen" to the Beeb, indicating its special status in British cultural life. This distinction between the BBC's likely survival and commercial broadcasters' potential demise highlights the different pressures facing public service and commercial television.
Personal Reflections and Industry Changes
Reflecting on his own career, Holmes said he has been "lucky" to work in television, noting he hasn't had to "work on a programme that I didn't want to be on, which was good." His comments come amid broader discussions about the television industry's transformation.
Elsewhere in his recent interviews, Holmes addressed the moment he appeared to fall asleep while presenting on GB News. Speaking to The Mirror, he clarified: "I was just looking down at my mic pack to see why it was not working, as we don't have floor managers or camera operators. Apparently I was sleeping? Whatever!"
He also opened up about his relationship with former co-host Anthea Turner, with whom he presented GMTV Breakfast between 1994 and 1996. "I am now best friends with Anthea Turner," Holmes revealed. "There used to be real hatred between us and then I realised that Anthea was playing a part that she has been told to do. She has been very successful at it."
ITV has been approached for comment following Holmes' predictions about their future. The broadcaster's response to these stark warnings about their potential disappearance within a decade remains to be seen as the television industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace.
