Low rating kills Wimar's show

JAKARTA: TV viewers will no longer be able to watch the fresh and witty talk show Perspektif Wimar, which airs on ANTV private television station, as the station management will not extend the program due to low ratings.

"Our last show will be on June 23. The management did not extend the contract due to low ratings," talk show host Wimar Witoelar said Wednesday.

Wimar questioned the low-rating claim, since the talk show has attracted many advertisements since it was first aired on March 24.

"But since it has been decided by the management, I can't say anything," the 63-year-old host, who is known for his kribo (afro) hair style, said.

He said the show, which was also co-hosted by several young celebrities, such as Chatty Sharon, Melissa Karim and Meisya Siregar, had featured noted guests, including seven current Cabinet ministers.

"They were the most distinguished guests I have ever had on TV shows," Wimar, who is also a professor of journalism and public relations at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, said.

Wimar said earlier the station was no longer controlled by the family of the coordinating minister for people's welfare, Aburizal Bakrie. ANTV is now controlled by Star TV, a media corporation owned by media tycoon Rupert Murdoch. -- A. Junaidi