The presenter, after just one year at the helm of the Canale 5 talk show, says goodbye to the program at the behest of Mediaset itself. The news, initially circulated as a simple indiscretion, has now found its way official confirmation from authoritative sources such as TvBlogwhich also reveal the name of his substitute: Simona Branchetti.
Branchetti, a well-known face of Mediaset since 2007, has proven experience as a presenter within the company. In fact, you have already successfully hosted the Christmas format “Afternoon Five News” and the early summer one “Morning News”, obtaining excellent approval from Mediaset top management. Her professionalism, combined with her ability to entertain an audience, would have made her the ideal choice to take Myrta Merlino’s place.
The motivations
Mediaset’s choice not to reconfirm Myrta Merlino as host of Pomeriggio 5 would seem to be linked to various factors. First of all, it is rumored that the presenter was not particularly enthusiastic about the program, so much so that he has expressed on several occasions his preference for a more committed type of journalistic management. Furthermore, Pomeriggio 5’s ratings during its management were not always brilliantespecially in comparison to the direct competitor “La vita in diretta” on Rai 1.
As for Myrta Merlino, his future at Mediaset is still uncertain. According to some rumors, it could be repositioned on Rete 4 with a prime time program. There are even rumors of a possible return to pure journalism, with the conducting of an in-depth analysis of current affairs. However, there is nothing official at the moment. The next Mediaset schedules, which will be presented as per tradition before the summer holidays, will reveal the professional destiny of Myrta Merlino and will formalize the choice of Simona Branchetti as the new presenter of Pomeriggio 5.
