GB News went live on Sunday and by today a number of major advertisers had already pulled out. It has also been mockingly called GBeebies.
Ikea, cider firm Kopparberg and Octopus Energy have withdrawn their adverts on the network following its launch on Sunday.
GB News, positioned as a rival to the news and current affairs offerings of the likes of BBC and Sky, is fronted by veteran broadcaster Andrew Neil.
He said the channel would not be “another echo chamber for the metropolitan mindset that already dominates so much of the media”.
However, GB News has faced accusations it will be broadcasting US-style partisan news shows in the UK and campaign group Stop Funding Hate challenged advertisers on social media.
Swedish furniture giant Ikea said it had “not knowingly” advertised on GB News.
Ikea tweeted this in response
“IKEA has not knowingly advertised on GB News. We have safeguards in place to prevent our advertising from appearing on platforms that are not in line with our humanistic values and vision to side with the many people.
— IKEA UK Support (@IKEAUKSupport) June 15, 2021
2/3
Prank
But it has been the pranks that have had a lot of people laughing.
Former Apprentice contestant Michelle Dewberry took this opinion from a most interestingly named viewer.
It’s a technological car crash. Either there’s a real Mike Hunt out there, or someone was having a laugh… editorial discretion should be advised… #GBNews pic.twitter.com/jhCPl6cwdO
— Ian Pinnell (@ianpinnell) June 15, 2021
Mike Hunt is the oldest trick in the book, even Bart Simpson wouldn’t have bothered with it when he called Moe’s tavern.
But this wasn’t the only prank…
Amazing. GB news is already getting trolled with fake names. Mike Oxlong, we also had a Mike Hunt. This channel is an utter joke! Whoever is setting these just please keep bombarding them with them! #GBeebies pic.twitter.com/h9DPHTKam1
— Lewis BP (@LewisBP5) June 15, 2021
Someone even had a few more ideas, if anyone fancied having a go.
Trying to think of some that might get past the production team (though if Mike Oxlong made it it can’t be that hard)!
— Lewis BP (@LewisBP5) June 16, 2021
Will Hung
Richard Harden
Preeti Badd (first name Preeti has a lot of potential!)
Anita Naylor
Mike Wrack
Phil Cox
Oliver Klosehoff
If anyone’s got spare time…
Reactions
As ever there were some great reactions on social.
1.
Ok I know I said I wouldn’t tweet about it but I can’t stop laughing pic.twitter.com/tV1PLJW52v
— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@ladyhaja) June 15, 2021
2.
Ok I know I said I wouldn’t tweet about it but I can’t stop laughing pic.twitter.com/tV1PLJW52v
— Hannah Jane Parkinson (@ladyhaja) June 15, 2021
3.
#gbnews #DewbsandCo can’t believe they fell for Mike Hunt gag from Porkys ffs 😂 pic.twitter.com/gFruI0iGJi
— carwindowsmashed (@skywhistleblow1) June 15, 2021
4.
#gbnews #DewbsandCo can’t believe they fell for Mike Hunt gag from Porkys ffs 😂 pic.twitter.com/gFruI0iGJi
— carwindowsmashed (@skywhistleblow1) June 15, 2021
5.
GBNews falling for the old Mike Hunt gag so early in the game pic.twitter.com/evhOqvMqMD
— Prork (@Prork) June 15, 2021
Someone made a good point though…
UKIP actually had a candidate for the London Mayoral elections once called Mike Hunt.
— Dominic Simpson (@Dominic_Simpson) June 15, 2021
That’s on top of other candidates at various times called Wayne Kerr, Dick Braine, and – oh yes – Peter Gammons. Yes, UKIP nominated a candidate with the surname Gammons.
But how long will the channel last?
It’s not going to make it to Xmas is it?
— Justice and Peace Project (@JimmyHSands) June 15, 2021
Related: Jacob Rees-Mogg defends fans booing England players for taking the knee
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