RTE axed Morning Edition in a bid to give them much-needed cash to take on UTV Ireland.
The State broadcaster said it will finish its run this year, and will not return in 2015 after it floundered in the ratings.
But sources have said RTE explicitly decided to pull the plug in a bid to give them money to take on newcomer UTV Ireland.
Sad: Keelin wishes show hadn’t come to end | RTE
“RTE is scared about the challenge from UTV Ireland and the threat to viewership figures but they don’t have the spare cash to start revamping things,” a source said.
“Morning Edition was the sacrificial lamb because it wasn’t doing that well in the ratings anyway so its budget will be pumped into the news bulletins.”
Insiders told the Mirror that the cash will be used to bump up their Six One and 9pm news bulletins before UTV Ireland launches in January.
Winner: Ireland AM has gone from strength to strength | BRIAN MCEVOY
The TV series, presented by Keelin Shanley, had been positioned as a rival for Ireland AM but only got 14,000 viewers at some stages – compared to nearly four times that for TV3’s series.
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.
“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.”
