Fox News ceases broadcasting in UK

Fox News has ceased broadcasting in the UK blaming poor audience figures.

The channel, which was available on the Sky platform, was not commercially viable. The decision is not thought to be linked to the ongoing Sky and 21st Century Fox merger.

In a statement, 21st Century Fox said, “Fox News is focused on the U.S. market and designed for a U.S. audience and, accordingly, it averages only a few thousand viewers across the day in the U.K. We have concluded that it is not in our commercial interest to continue providing Fox News in the U.K.”

Fox News has been embroiled in controversy over sexual harassment scandal that led to a string of high profile personalities exiting the channel, including chairman Roger Ailes and Bill O’Reilly.

Fox News ceased operations in the UK at 16:00 (UK).