More4 defends decision

Hundreds of viewers have complained to Channel 4 about its decision to axe most editions of the Daily Show from More 4.

Last month, the channel dropped the Jon Stewart-fronted satire show, which it had aired every day since it launched.

However, by the end the US series was only attracting 80,000 viewers a day, so executives decided to broadcast just the weekly Global Edition compilation, late on Monday nights.

On a blog post, C4 viewers editor Paula Carter said: ‘We have received a steady influx of complaints from devoted viewers of the show, for whom a weekly Global Edition is no compensation.

‘I spoke to the scheduler responsible… who explained after five years of reaching a very loyal but small audience it was time to say goodbye to the daily version of the programme. The money that was spent on acquiring The Daily Show will now be used across the More4 schedule and will support home grown documentaries in the True Stories strand as well as new US imports that fit More4’s audience profile.

‘He acknowledged that this would be a disappointment for fans of The Daily Show, but pointed out that Channel 4 was launching its own political satire show, 10 O’Clock Show on January 20.’

Carter pointed out that the daily version of The Daily Show is available on iTunes, but omitted to mention it costs £1.89 an episode.

Published: 14 Jan 2011