RTE has axed their breakfast news show Morning Edition after it floundered in the ratings.
The State broadcaster said it will finish its run this year, and will not return in 2015.
Host Keelin Shanley said she was “sad” the show is over and feels it’s a “shame” it has come to an end.
She said: “We have all been so touched by the kind words about the show from everyone since the news broke.
Sad: Keelin wishes show hadn’t come to end | RTE
“It’s a shame it has come to an end, it’s been a fantastic two years with a super team. We are of course all sad but we are looking ahead to new challenges too.”
Staff are said to be shocked by the decision to cull the show, with sources revealing they only found out the decision this morning – with many heartbroken the series is over.
It was hoped that Morning Edition would help RTE taken on TV3’s Ireland AM – but failed to become a hit in the ratings.
Winner: Ireland AM has gone from strength to strength | BRIAN MCEVOY
The RTE One show got average ratings of just 18,600 in its first week and since struggled to build an audience, with its 9am start time partly blamed.
After its launch, Ireland AM increased its time to 10.45am before going back to 10am. TV3 said today their rival now averages 52,300 viewers and reaches 200,000 viewers each morning.
A TV3 spokeswoman said: “Since its launch in 1999, Ireland AM has gone from strength to strength… TV3 is very proud of all that the show, its producers and contributors have achieved over the years and continues to achieve from 7am – 10am every morning.”
In a statement, RTE said Morning Edition would end “due to ongoing financial pressures” at the station.
They added that Keelin will move to present Radio 1’s current affairs show The Late Debate from January, as well as The Consumer Show.
Morning Edition has been going out from 9am to 11am five days a week since January 2013.
No fear: Sinead didn’t worry about RTE’s show | BRIAN MCEVOY
Last year, Sinead Desmond said Morning Edition failed to make any dent on their ratings.
She added: “Ireland AM is going from strength to strength at the moment. Ratings have gone right through the roof. We’ve given it a much more newsier edge.
“Morning Edition hasn’t impacted at all. That sounds awful. I’m sure Keelin Shanley, who I’m a big fan of, is doing a fantastic job.
“But we haven’t lost anything to it – not that we’re aware. I wish her all the best, as she’s a great woman and I respect what she does greatly.”
