RTÉ axes ‘Morning Edition’ after two years

RTÉ has confirmed it plans to axe the television news programme Morning Edition after two years on air.

The show will not return to the schedules after the end of its current run this year.

The show, broadcast live five days a week from 9am to 11am, features a mix of news, sport, business, and entertainment.

In a statement, RTÉ cited “ongoing financial pressures” as the reason for cancelling the show, hosted by Keelin Shanley since January 2013.

Ms Shanley, who will continue in her role as presenter of RTÉ One’s The Consumer Show, will move to present RTÉ’s Radio 1’s The Late Debate from January.

Other staff on the show will continue working with RTÉ News.

RTÉ News will continue to broadcast morning news headline bulletins on RTÉ News Now.

“Thanks to everybody who’s been in touch. We are with you for another while yet. Join us at 9am tomorrow on RTÉ 1 and @RTENewsNow” the show’s Twitter account posted yesterday.

The announcement coincided with the 30th anniversary of RTÉ Radio 1’s Morning Ireland, which was first broadcast in November 1984.

Meanwhile, TV3 yesterday announced that Ireland AM remains the most watched programme in its time slot, with a 32% market share.