E! News, the half-hour celebrity news series, has been axed.
Today, ADWEEK learned that E! network has informed employees that the nightly E! News linear broadcast show, which first premiered in 1991, is being canceled.
The news comes following NBCUniversal’s decision to spin off the majority of its cable networks, including CNBC, MSNBC, Syfy, and E!, under the Versant brand.
Staff were informed about the decision this morning, according to a source familiar with the matter. While opportunities are still being determined for employees on the show, some correspondents will be offered new positions within Versant, per the source.
New episodes of the nightly show, hosted by Keltie Knight and Justin Sylvester, will continue to air until September 25. The show was previously canceled in 2020, but came back after two years.
According to the source, the news reflects E!’s decision to focus on social platforms, citing that the 11 p.m. time slot of E!’s linear programming “no longer serves pop culture fans that prefer real-time coverage throughout the day.”
Regarding the brand’s social presence, E! currently has 87 million followers across its platforms, with social and digital accounts generating 11 billion views in 2024 across all content.
The digital brand’s content includes E! News’ The Rundown on Snapchat, Hot Goss on Instagram, and RE!CAP on YouTube.
E!, the linear network, will continue to air original programming like Botched Presents: Plastic Surgery Rewind, Honestly Cavallari: The Headline Tour, and other acquired content. The network will also host its red carpet coverage, including airing the 31st annual Critics’ Choice Awards on Jan. 4.
Meanwhile, Access Hollywood and Access Daily will continue to produce and operate normal broadcasts out of Terrace Studios.
