Piers Morgan Cautions That YouTube’s Growth Signals a “Wake-Up Call” for Traditional Media

The media landscape is experiencing a significant transformation, with numerous traditional publications fading away, while various YouTube channels assert their influence rivals that of conventional television networks.

A former newspaper editor and current presenter, engaged in fundraising efforts to expand his YouTube venture, anticipates that more prominent media figures will migrate to this increasingly impactful streaming platform as viewer preferences continue to evolve.

“It’s similar to the shift from vinyl to digital music,” he noted. “People believed it would take ages, but the change happened swiftly.”

“In the UK, specific newspapers are disappearing. Which will still have a print edition in a decade? Observing younger demographics shows that those under 45 rarely purchase print newspapers.”

Morgan holds the rights to his YouTube channel, *Piers Morgan Uncensored*, having acquired them from the Rupert Murdoch empire after his previous agreements with News UK, which totaled £50 million over three years, ended. Now over 60, he acknowledges that his transition is a “learning curve,” yet he champions YouTube for its flexibility and low cost.

He emphasized that his decision to fully embrace the streaming service was influenced by his four children. “All of them are watching YouTube,” he remarked. “I rarely watch traditional TV, aside from live sports. Until last year, I was part of the outdated, structured 8PM live news format.”

While Morgan is known for his sharp commentary, his shift to YouTube reflects a broader trend where media personalities, especially within the U.S. conservative landscape, amass millions of subscribers. Morgan aims to replicate the success of DailyWire, a conservative American media outlet co-founded by commentator Ben Shapiro, which includes Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson.

YouTube wields significant influence in the media sphere, with various content originating from networks like ITV and Channel 4. Podcasters continue to enhance their presence, contributing considerable financial strength. In just the first quarter of 2025, YouTube’s ad revenue exceeded $8.9 billion (£6.644 billion), marking a growth of over 10% from the previous year. Meanwhile, Channel 4’s total revenue for all of 2023 hovered around £1 billion, a figure available for the most recent year.

Morgan cited last year’s U.S. election, mentioning that YouTube reported over 45 million views on election-related content on Election Day. In contrast, 42.3 million viewers tuned into 18 cable and broadcast networks that night. Although the figures aren’t directly comparable, Morgan stated:

“Prominent journalists have reached out to me, inquiring about a shift to my platform. I believe legacy media companies need to analyze why individuals like myself are venturing out into this realm,” he said. “More will be inspired to follow my lead, and I’m receiving intriguing inquiries from journalists.”

Morgan plans to emulate Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger Productions, which has produced successful podcasts in the UK. He envisions creating channels under uncensored brands that cover various genres, including true crime, history, and sports, with a direct focus on the U.S. and global audiences rather than just the UK.

“Look at what Gary Lineker achieved; he’s a close friend and with Goalhanger in the UK, he’s the first to credit his success. [podcast for Goalhanger] In terms of revenue, it’s substantial in America, but that’s just the beginning,” he stated. “It’s not solely about football; it’s about history. They travel to America and stage large live shows, which is massively successful there.”

“I seldom cover British news. We didn’t even discuss the final election results because my scope is broader: ‘Is this of interest to viewers in the Middle East? What about in Australia?’

Morgan shared his vision of decreasing reliance on his brand, aspiring to build something sustainable and independent. Though he considers it an “early era,” he is optimistic about attracting investors, as his venture is already profitable.

“We don’t require funding,” he stated. “With nearly 4 million subscribers, my inquiry to investors isn’t, ‘Just give me your money.’ It’s ‘What value do you bring to the table?’ ”