Piers Morgan is leaving News UK to focus on expanding his YouTube channel.
The 59-year-old’s Uncensored programme has found some success since the broadcaster first established it on TalkTV in 2022, with the channel now boasting around 3.6 million subscribers.
In a new deal with the Rupert Murdoch-owned News UK, Morgan will take ownership of the Uncensored brand through his production company, Wake Up Productions. It will mark a move away from his other work as he focuses on expanding the venture internationally, according to Sky News.
News UK, which owns The Sun and Times Radio, are said to have struck a four-year revenue-sharing deal with Morgan that will see the company receive a portion of advertising revenue generated by Piers Morgan Uncensored until 2029.
As part of the deal, the television personality has also signed an agreement with Red Seat Ventures, an American company that partners with prominent media figures including Megyn Kelly and Tucker Carlson. The company enables the broadcasters to exploit commercial opportunities, including sponsorships and other revenue streams.
Morgan returned to the company in January 2022 as part of a three-year deal that included writing regular columns for The Sun and New York Post. His duties included presenting shows on the company’s now-defunct television channel, Talk TV. His future was under speculation following the end of his three-year contract with the company at the end of 2024.
He will continue to write some pieces for brands associated with News UK, according to one insider.
Responding to an enquiry from Sky News on Wednesday morning, Morgan said in a statement: “I have had a great time working back at News and am delighted that we will continue to be partners.
“Owning the brand allows my team and I the freedom to focus exclusively on building Uncensored into a standalone business, editorially and commercially, and in time, widening it from just me and my content.
“It’s clear from the recent US election that YouTube is an increasingly powerful and influential media platform, and Uncensored is one of the fastest-growing shows on it in the world.
“I’m very excited about the potential for Uncensored.”