Last Updated on November 12, 2025 by Karl Thompson
GB News, launched in June 2021, is a UK-based free-to-air television and radio news channel offering a blend of opinion-led content and traditional news.
Summary
GB News has grown significantly in viewership, even overtaking more established news channels in certain slots. It is broadcast widely across multiple platforms. Owned by Sir Paul Marshall and Legatum, it features high-profile right-leaning presenters. The channel’s political slant is clearly right-leaning, drawing both praise for diversifying voices and sharp criticism for low trust, biased content, and regulatory breaches. Sociologically, GB News is deeply relevant to studies of new media, pluralism, and Marxist critiques of media power—and it offers rich material for A-Level media studies through those theoretical lenses.
Viewers Growth Figures
GB News claims an average of 80,600 daily viewers in July, edging ahead of BBC News at 78,700—though BARB (the official ratings agency) is yet to confirm.
Supporting this, independent data shows that in July 2025, GB News averaged 80,610 viewers daily from 6 am to 2 am, surpassing the BBC News Channel (78,650) and Sky News (67,000); it also led in breakfast and evening slots
Where Is It Broadcast?
GB News is broadcast across multiple platforms: Freeview, Freesat, Sky, YouView, Virgin Media, and via internet streaming services like Samsung TV Plus, LG webOS, Rakuten TV, Apple TV and YouTube. There’s also an audio simulcast on DAB+ radio.
Who Owns It?
The channel is owned by All Perspectives Ltd, backed by Sir Paul Marshall (hedge fund manager) and Legatum, a private investment firm based in Dubai.
Sir Paul Marshall is a prominent media investor; he also owns UnHerd and The Spectator, and is known as a right-leaning media figure.
Main Presenters
Among those who have hosted or presented on GB News: Nigel Farage, Eamonn Holmes, Michael Portillo, Jacob Rees‑Mogg, and Camilla Tomine. Earlier recruits included journalists like Dan Wootton, Colin Brazier, Rosie Wright, Simon McCoy, Kirsty Gallacher, Andrew Doyle, and others
Political Bias – “Is GB News biased?”
GB News is widely described as right‑wing or right‑leaning
- Media Bias/Fact Check labels it Right Biased and Questionable, citing a lack of transparency, failed fact-checks, and spreading conspiracy or pseudoscientific claims
Who Watches It?
According to the Reuters Institute (2025), around 9% of respondents watch GB News weekly, compared to 47% BBC, 22% ITV, and 15% Sky It has the lowest trust rating (net trust –15) among UK broadcasters.
A Redfield & Wilton survey (April 2024) shows 10% regularly watch GB News. Viewers are 62% male, equally working/middle class, 58% homeowners; politically, 51% voted Conservative (2019), 63% Leave (2016)
Main Arguments in Favor
- GB News positions itself as a refreshing alternative to mainstream media, giving voice to those who feel “underserved and unheard”, especially outside London
- Commentators argue GB News is open about its right‑wing slant, unlike other channels perceived to have covert bias
- It has surpassed traditional giants like BBC News and Sky in viewership for certain slots, showing audience demand for its style of coverage.
Main Criticisms (GB News Criticisms)
- Ofcom inquiries into impartiality breaches—particularly around politicians as presenters—have been a recurring issue
- Trust remains low—it is the only broadcaster with negative net trust in the UK.
- Critics accuse it of spreading misinformation, climate science denial, failed fact-checks, lack of transparency on ownership and bias.
- Some describe it as an echo-chamber for right-wing populist rhetoric, with alarm over its role in culture wars—especially given its owner’s media acquisitions and political stances.
Relevance to A-Level Sociology: Media Studies
1. New Media
GB News illustrates many characteristics of new media: it leverages multi-platform delivery (TV, radio, streaming, apps, DAB, YouTube), interactive engagement, and rapid, opinion-based content cycles. This aligns with the “main characteristics of new media” such as decentralisation, convergence, and audience fragmentation. See the Reviser’s discussion on new media features here.
2. Pluralist Perspective
From a pluralist view, GB News contributes to media diversity by offering alternative viewpoints, catering to audience segments outside mainstream consensus, and representing different political perspectives. This fits the pluralist model valuing competition, consumer choice, and representativeness in media pluralism see more.
3. Neo-Marxist Perspective
A neo-Marxist analysis would focus on GB News as part of a media conglomerate tied to powerful elites (Sir Paul Marshall’s hedge-fund-backed empire). It would critique how media ownership concentrates power, controlling narratives, and reinforcing ideological hegemony—particularly right-wing or capitalist worldviews—as described in the neo-Marxist media theory see more.
4. Marxist Perspective on the News
Marxist theory would examine GB News in terms of capitalist ideology reproduction, ownership interests, and serving ruling-class values. The platform can be seen as framing news to align with the economic and political objectives of its backers, shaping public opinion to support free-market, anti-woke, conservative agendas—typical concerns raised by Marxist media theory see more.
Linking Back to A-Level Media Studies Resources: For broader context and study resources, see the main hub at Reviser Sociology Media Studies Resources for A-Level.
Who owns GB News?
GB News is owned by All Perspectives Ltd, backed primarily by Sir Paul Marshall, a hedge fund manager, and the Legatum investment firm. Together, they provide the channel’s financial and ideological direction.
Is GB News biased?
Yes. GB News is widely described as right-leaning or right-wing in outlook. Media Bias/Fact Check rates it Right Biased and Questionable, citing failed fact-checks, ownership influence, and lack of editorial transparency.
What are the main criticisms of GB News?
The channel has faced multiple Ofcom impartiality breaches, is the only UK broadcaster with a negative net trust rating, and has been accused of spreading misinformation, conspiracy theories, and climate denial. Critics also highlight its close ties with Conservative politicians and culture-war rhetoric.
Why do some viewers support GB News?
Supporters argue GB News provides a fresh, alternative voice outside the London media bubble. They value its candid right-of-centre stance and claim it represents opinions ignored by mainstream outlets.