Revamped RI:SE fails to gain viewers

Revamped Channel 4 breakfast show RI:SE failed to attract new viewers when it returned to TV screens yesterday.

The programme attracted an audience of just 200,000 – half the number who watched Channel 5 children’s programmes Bear In The Big Blue House and Noddy, according to unofficial overnight figures.

RI:SE was watched by between 200,000 and 300,000 people last year before it was relaunched in a bid to boost ratings.

But a spokesman for the show, now co-hosted by former 11 O’Clock Show frontman Iain Lee and original presenter Edith Bowman, said they were satisfied with the first day figures.

“The new look RI:SE has had a deliberately low profile relaunch so it could find its feet. We have got the same viewing figures we had before and we are quite happy.

“People need to discover the programme and stick with it and we believe the audience will grow over a long period of time,” the spokeswoman said.

The new show is very different from its previous incarnation, with all of the original presenters ditched except for Bowman.

It has moved to a new studio in Bayswater, west London, and the emphasis has been shifted from news to showbiz.

Lee and Bowman are the hosts from 7am until 8.30am, followed by comedy duo Mel and Sue who have their own half-hour section of the show.