Edith Bowman is quitting Channel 4's struggling breakfast show RI:SE when her contract comes up for renewal, meaning all of the original presenting team are now gone. The 'release' from the original line up may provide the revamped show a much needed boost, but most media commentators see Bowman’s departure as another step towards the show's ultimate demise.
The new look RI:SE is now receiving on-air promotion across Channel 4 but, despite being slightly more positively viewed by critics, the show is still struggling to build on its poor audience figures. Producers may argue the new look show hasn't had anything like the marketing push the original incarnation received. But some suggest Channel 4 is wary about hyping the show too much in case it wants to quietly drop it from its schedule later this year.
As previously reported some cynics predict Channel 4 will cancel the show to allow Channel 4 News Specials during any war in the Gulf. Post-war RI:SE would then be forgotten, perhaps replaced by sitcom repeats until a new format can be found.