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BOTH PRESENTERS FROM Virgin Media’s Tonight Show have confirmed that they will depart from the television station after the election.
In separate statements, Ciara Doherty and Claire Brock confirmed today that Saturday night’s election special will be their last time fronting the late-night politics programme.
In a post on Instagram, Ciara Doherty said that after 14 “brilliant years” she had made the decision to move on from the show and station.
“I’ve decided to move on from late nights and early mornings to begin a new adventure,” Doherty said.
In similar fashion, Claire Brock shared the news of her departure across social media, saying it had “been a privilege to work alongside brilliant colleagues and friends over many years in Ballymount”.
This weekend I will present my last Tonight Show, as I’ve made the decision to move on from the role, and from Virgin Media Television,” Brock said in the post across social media.
Some news to share 👇This weekend I will present my last show @TonightVMTV. During my career in the newsroom I’ve been fortunate to have enjoyed incredible opportunities with the very best team of colleagues @VirginMediaNews pic.twitter.com/SIgYgVRCiK
— Claire Brock (@ClaireBrockTV) November 29, 2024
The announcements come less than one month after Virgin Media cut the flagship current-affairs programme from four nights a week to two.
In a statement in October addressing the reduction in weekly episodes, Virgin Media Television’s managing director Áine Ní Chaoindealbháin said the station “remains committed to public service broadcasting and will continue to invest in our news and current affairs output”.
“However, due to challenging market conditions and the fact that our ask of government to financially support our public service content has not been met, we have been forced to make the difficult decision to reduce The Tonight Show weekly output.”
The Tonight Show is one of Ireland’s most viewed current-affairs programmes, and played host to a wide variety of politicians during the general election campaign.
Earlier this month, the Independent Broadcasters of Ireland called for “meaningful” government support for the sector after Virgin Media announced the reduction in its weekly output of The Tonight Show.
The Independent Broadcasters of Ireland added that this reduction in output “reflects the real pressures throughout the sector”.
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and What’s the most annoying part is the grilled politicians for answers unlike some other television station.
Thank you Ciara and Claire wishing you all the best in your future endeavours and careers
@Tommy: exactly. Claire especially in my opinion. The usual chip on the shoulder begrudgers are commenting negatively on here, they can’t have watched the show regularly.
@Dermot Blaine: She’s ok. The two of them were decent. But they would let politicians away with making a ridiculous statement and leave it unchallenged lots of times or let them rant on. Virgin media or any of the others are never going to get any state funding so I’m not sure why they’re even bothering to put the begging bowl out.
Bring back Vinny, offer him big money
Well, can’t blame anyone for ‘parting ways’ if the show was to be cut by 50%, from 4nights to 2. Best of luck in you future endeavours Ciara & Claire
@Frank Mc Carthy: lost 50% of their wages I guess
Claire Brock is probably the best interviewer I have seen in a long time, she gets the best out of anyone she’s grilling and does not let them off the hook, this lady is destined for the big time, far in front of RTE she will take anyone on, good luck to her.
RIP Padraig, you were awesome
@Tired Jim: Amen.
@Tired Jim: a man of conviction and values!!! R.I.P. Padraig
@Tired Jim: well said RIP Padraig
Someone with a spine is needed… no doubt they left for a nice rte job
@Paul H: Claire Brock is a great interviewer. Unfortunately Virgin decided to massively scale back the Tonight Show.
@Paul H: Claire is fantastic. You’re just being a dik. Strong women no doubt intimidate you.
2 wokies gone, will be replaced by 4 more!!
@K O: you’ve obviously never watched the show. Nothing ‘woke’ about it, you’re just obsessed
@Dermot Blaine: no you don’t get the narrative
@K O: there is no narrative except Virgin say they cannot continue the show as it was due to lack of funds. Claire Brock is in of the best political interviews we have, takes no shite
@Dermot Blaine: he’s a dik. His use of the word narrative tells us so much about him. Lol.
Good luck to them both, good presenters, hopefully they don’t go to RTE.
Did the RTE and government collusion which resulted in state funding of €725m to RTE over three years kill VM’s chance to compete in the current affairs sector?
Calling Virgin Media an Irish station is becoming a bit of a stretch now. Most of their programming are British. If you tune in to it, it’s either The Chase, I’m a Celebrity, Love Island, Emmerdale, Tipping Point, Britain’s Favourite something or other, etc, etc. Similar to “Irish” Daily Mail, that has far more British content than Irish content. But that’s what Irish people want it seems, which is very disappointing.
@Joseph Fitzgibbon: They aren’t going to have enough Irish content to fill 24 hours a day of a schedule. Everyone watches British shows as well so what else are they gonna do really. Especially since ITV shows most of these programs and you have to go through about 4 menus of options to find that these days.
Ciara was toxic ..good riddance
@Furious George – The Wasp: VERY EASY on the eye!!!!
Two gorgeous ladies.
That’s something I didn’t see on the horizon. Wondered why the show disappeared for two nights for the past few weeks.
Actually I felt that the politicians talking over each other and with some continually parroting party scripts didn’t help so its the format rather than the presenters I blame if viewing figures have dropped.
Presumably if the showtime was halved so were the salaries in which case the ladies were right to leave. Wishing both Ciara and Claire well in their next venture.
Wonder what Virgin Media have planned to replace the show.
What, Oh no, who are they??
tg for that….
@William O leary: cut backs
Vigin media dont get the 720million FFG government bribe funded by taxpayer
RTE incoming.
If VirginMedia could get only remove Tommy Martin from presenting football. The man is the worst presenter in tv history
have your say