Britain’s appetite for a side portion of politics with their Sunday morning breakfast is apparently on the wane.
This week marks a year since ex BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg took over the prime BBC slot from Andrew Marr – to great fanfare – but live ratings have dipped, reports The Sunday Times.
After a summer break, the 47-year-old presenter was joined this morning by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as well as a panel of guests that included Piers Morgan, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel De Souza.
According to BARB, which compiles audience measurement and television ratings in the UK, while Andrew Marr used to regularly attract an average of 1.9 million per show during his 16 years of presenting The Andrew Marr Show, Kuenssberg isn’t fairing quite as well with viewers.
After a high profile first show on September 4th last year, ratings kept at a steady 1.5million per episode…but have dipped in 2023 to 1.2million, 700,000 viewers less than Marr once entertained.
Ex BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg is celebrating a year of presenting her own political show in the coveted Sunday morning spot this weekend – but ratings have dipped
However, the BBC told MailOnline the broadcaster is happy with how the show is going and said that the figures don’t accurately reflect the impact of the pandemic, and those who watch the show on catch-up.
A spokesperson said: ‘These aren’t the right figures, as they don’t take into account the many people who watch on screens, phones or tablets and on iPlayer catch up, bringing the actual average to 1.5m, which broadly compares to Andrew Marr before the pandemic – it’s meaningless to use the extraordinary period of the pandemic as a comparison.
‘We’re very pleased SWLK has become the weekend’s agenda-setting programme.’
The broadcaster, who lives in east London with her husband, management consultant James Kelly, announced she was leaving her role as BBC political editor after seven years in December 2021 to take on her own show, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
The BBC and Kuenssberg faced criticism on the launch episode last year for booking comedian Joe Lycett, who went on to mock Liz Truss days before her short-lived term as PM.
According to BARB, which measures TV ratings, Kuenssberg isn’t fairing quite as well with viewers compared to her predecessor Andrew Marr
The then Foreign Secretary’s interview was followed by sarcastic applause from Lycett who then claimed to be ‘very right wing’ despite his frequent criticism of the Tory party and the government.
Despite having major political figures appearing including Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, ratings have since slid in the wrong direction.
Today, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt was the main guest, discussing the forthcoming election and pledging that schools affected by the RAAC faulty concrete issue would be helped by the Government.
The 47-year-old presenter was joined this morning by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt as well as a panel of guests that included Piers Morgan, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel De Souza
Despite all the major political party leaders appearing on the show, viewers have dropped by 300,000 in a year
In July, Sky News announced Sir Trevor Phillips would host its relaunched Sunday politics show, after dropping its previous show, Sophy Ridge on Sunday
Sky News recently announced the re-launch of a new rival show, headed up by Sir Trevor Phillips.
Sir Trevor will take over from Sophy Ridge after Sky News’ flagship Sunday morning politics show, Sophy Ridge on Sunday, was axed.
The change comes as part of a wider reshuffle of Sky’s news programmes.
The veteran news anchor and former politician, 69, previously filled in for Ridge during her 2021 maternity leave, becoming the first person of colour to host a flagship UK politics show in the UK.
Ms Ridge will present a new show, to be announced by Sky News, every weeknight from 7pm.