History of Sky News in Timeline
Sky News is a British free-to-air television news channel owned by Sky Group (a division of Comcast). It distributes news via television, radio, online streaming, and various digital platforms. In 2024, Sky News won the Royal Television Society News Channel of the Year award for the 17th time, marking its 7th consecutive win. The channel is accessible on its website, television platforms, and online platforms like YouTube and Apple TV, as well as mobile devices.
June 1988: Rupert Murdoch Announces New Television News Service
On June 8, 1988, Rupert Murdoch announced plans to start a new television news service in a speech to the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.
February 1989: Sky News 30th Anniversary
February 5, 2019, marked the 30th anniversary of Sky News, which first broadcast on February 5, 1989. The launch of Sky News Raw pop-up channel celebrated the event.
February 1989: Sky News Begins Broadcasting
On February 5, 1989, Sky News started broadcasting at 6 pm.
March 1992: Sky News' Parent Company Turns Profit
By March 1992, Sky News' parent company turned from loss to profit.
June 1994: Sky News Broadcasts O. J. Simpson Chase
On June 17, 1994, Sky News transmitted live pictures of the freeway chase of O. J. Simpson's white Bronco, bringing US helicopter journalism to the UK.
August 1994: Kelvin MacKenzie Resignation
In August 1994, Kelvin MacKenzie announced his resignation as managing director of BSkyB.
March 2000: Sky News Active Launched
In March 2000, Sky News Active, a 24-hour interactive service providing headlines and other services, was launched.
June 2001: Analogue Broadcasting Ceased
On June 30, 2001, analogue broadcasting of Sky News ceased.
September 2001: BAFTA award for 9/11 coverage
Sky News won a BAFTA award for coverage of the 11 September 2001 attacks.
2002: BAFTA award for Soham murders coverage
Sky News won a BAFTA award in 2002 for coverage of the Soham murders.
April 2003: Sky News Fabricated Report from HMS Splendid
In April 2003, Sky News carried a fabricated report from James Forlong aboard the British nuclear submarine HMS Splendid, purportedly showing a live firing of a cruise missile during the Iraq war. The shot of the missile launch had been obtained from stock footage.
October 2003: Forlong's Suicide
In October 2003, Sky News reporter Forlong was found dead by his wife after committing suicide following the exposure of a faked report.
March 2004: Sky News Wins Channel 5 Contract
In March 2004, Sky News was announced to have won a five-year contract to supply news bulletins to Channel 5, taking over from ITN.
January 2005: Sky News Supplies News to Channel 5
In January 2005, Sky News took over from ITN to supply news bulletins to Channel 5.
July 2005: Coverage of 7/7 London bombings
Sky News covered the 7 July 2005 London bombings.
October 2005: Sky News Relaunch and Schedule Changes
In October 2005, Sky News relaunched with a new schedule designed around "appointment to view" programmes and new presenters, but the changes were unsuccessful.
October 2005: Sky News Moves to New Studios and Undergoes Revamp
On October 24, 2005, Sky News moved to new studios in Isleworth, Greater London, and underwent a major on-screen revamp, including a new studio with a large video wall, new music, and widescreen broadcasting.
2005: Qatar Airways Sponsors Sky News Weather Section
In 2005, Qatar Airways began sponsoring Sky News' weather section, making tens of thousands of appearances on its services since then.
2005: Sky News' Orchestral Theme Music
Sky News' distinctive orchestral theme music, in use since 2005, was updated on 6 May 2010.
July 2006: Sky News Schedule Changes
In July 2006, Sky News removed the evening programmes and returned to rolling news with an interactive program and a two-presenter format on Sky News Today, following the arrival of John Ryley as Head of Sky News.
2006: International Emmy for London Bombings coverage
Sky News's coverage of the 7 July 2005 London bombings won the 2006 International Emmy for Breaking News award.
March 2007: Sky News Radio Plans
In March 2007, BSkyB and Chrysalis Group announced plans to launch a dedicated Sky News Radio station on the proposed bid by Channel 4's 4 Digital Group for the second digital audio broadcasting multiplex in the United Kingdom.
March 2007: Sky News removed from Virgin Media
On 1 March 2007, Sky's agreement to provide its basic channels (including Sky News) to Virgin Media expired, resulting in the removal of Sky News from Virgin Media.
June 2007: Best News Channel at Broadcast Digital Channel Awards
In June 2007, Sky News was named Best News Channel at the Broadcast Digital Channel Awards.
October 2007: Global Radio Withdraws from Sky News Radio Venture
In October 2007, following a business review, Global Radio's chief executive announced that it would be withdrawing from the joint venture to launch a Sky News Radio station.
October 2007: Sky News Introduces New Schedule
On October 1, 2007, Sky introduced another new schedule, extending Kay Burley's Lunchtime Live programme and renaming it Afternoon Live, and switched to a new format with a solo lead presenter and a summary newsreader. Sky News put more emphasis on interactive news with Martin Stanford's new SkyNews.com programme and introduced a financial news programme presented by Jeff Randall.
2007: Sky News' Financial Status
As of 2007, Sky News had never been run for a profit and had considered using ITN to supplement the service.
2007: BSkyB Intention to Cease Freeview Broadcasting
In 2007, BSkyB announced its intention to cease broadcasting Sky News, along with other BSkyB channels, over Freeview, pending Ofcom approval.
September 2008: Further Changes to Sky News Schedule
On September 8, 2008, Colin Brazier presented a new show from 1 – 2 pm, The Live Desk, and Martin Stanford's Sky.com News became SkyNews.com, moving to 7 pm every weeknight.
November 2008: Libel damages paid to Robert Murat
In November 2008, BSkyB paid substantial undisclosed libel damages to Robert Murat in relation to their reporting of the abduction of Madeleine McCann. Sky News had falsely suggested that Murat, who was assisting in the search of McCann, had acted like child murderer Ian Huntley following McCann's disappearance.
November 2008: Sky News reappears on Virgin Media
On 13 November 2008, Sky News reappeared on Virgin Media.
2008: Sky News Begins Using HD Cameras
In early 2008, Sky News began using HD-capable cameras in the field. Some programs such as Technofile, Diana: The Final Word, Canoe Man: Rise and Fall of John Darwin, and Pathfinders: Into The Heart Of Afghanistan were made available in HD to Sky+ HD subscribers on Sky On Demand.
January 2009: Sky News HD Coverage of Obama Inauguration
On January 20, 2009, before the launch of the Sky News HD channel, Sky Arts broadcast Sky News's HD coverage of the Inauguration of Barack Obama. Jeremy Thompson fronted the coverage from Washington, D.C.
March 2009: Pakistan: On Terror's Frontline
Pakistan: On Terror's Frontline was shown throughout the week beginning Monday 23, March 2009.
2009: Sky News Newsroom/Studio Redesign
In 2009, Sky News made major changes to the layout of the newsroom/studio, introduced a morning edition of The Live Desk, and extended the financial news programme Jeff Randall Live.
2009: RTS Award for International News Coverage
In 2009, Sky News won an RTS Award for International News Coverage for its series of reports.
March 2010: Sky News Moves Operations to Chroma-Key Set
From March 30, 2010, Sky News moved operations to a chroma-key set in Studio B to finalize preparations for HD broadcasting.
March 2010: Sky News Moved to Studio B
On March 30, 2010, in preparation for high-definition broadcasting, Sky News moved to its second studio (Studio B).
March 2010: Sky News Presented Exclusively by Women
On March 8, 2010, Sky News was presented and produced exclusively by women to mark International Women's Day.
April 2010: Sky News HD Election Debate Broadcast
On April 22, 2010, Sky News HD's first live broadcast was the channel's election debate, which was held on Sky Channel 517, hosted in HD by Kay Burley and Adam Boulton.
May 2010: Ofcom Complaints Regarding Sky News Interview and Conduct
In May 2010, Ofcom received 832 complaints about an interview with electoral reformist David Babbs and 696 complaints regarding Sky News's political editor Adam Boulton's conduct during an interview with Alastair Campbell.
May 2010: Sky News Launched HD Channel
In May 2010, Sky News moved back to the main newsroom and launched Sky News HD in time for the 2010 general election results, with a graphics refresh, new logo, and updated theme music.
May 2010: Sky News HD Launch
Sky News HD launched on the evening of May 6, 2010, coinciding with coverage of the 2010 general election results, hosted by Adam Boulton.
November 2010: Attorney General considers action against Sky News
In November 2010, the Attorney General for England and Wales was given the right to launch contempt of court proceedings against Sky News over the broadcaster's alleged breach of a media injunction in relation to the reporting of the story of Paul and Rachel Chandler.
2010: Ofcom Complaints about Sky News Election Coverage
During its 2010 election coverage, the broadcasting regulator Ofcom received 650 complaints about inconsistent treatment of candidates in a leader's debate and pro-Tory bias.
2011: Sky News Presented Exclusively by Women for International Women's Day
In 2011, Sky News was presented and produced exclusively by women to mark International Women's Day.
January 2012: Attorney General drops case against Sky News
In January 2012, the Attorney General dropped the contempt of court case against Sky News, stating that continuing with proceedings would no longer be in the public interest.
2012: Sky News Presented Exclusively by Women for International Women's Day
In 2012, Sky News was presented and produced exclusively by women to mark International Women's Day.
2012: Website refresh
In 2012, the Sky News website underwent a further refresh, updating both the look of the pages and the content management system.
March 2013: Sky News team detained in Tiananmen Square
In March 2013, Sky News journalist Mark Stone and his camera operator were detained in Tiananmen Square live on television for not displaying their passes correctly while filming inside the Forbidden City.
June 2013: Sky News International on Apple TV
On June 19, 2013, Sky News International was added to Apple TV for users in the UK, Ireland, and the United States, offering clips and live streaming of the channel at no charge.
September 2014: Sky News Live Streaming on YouTube
On September 30, 2014, Sky News began live streaming its channel on YouTube.
October 2014: Martin Brunt Doorsteps Brenda Leyland
In October 2014, Sky News crime correspondent Martin Brunt doorstepped Brenda Leyland, who had posted controversial comments concerning the McCann investigation on social media. Leyland was later found dead, leading to 171 complaints to Ofcom.
November 2014: Sky News sponsored Young Person in Business category of the National Chamber Awards
In November 2014, Sky News sponsored the Young Person in Business category of the National Chamber Awards, which was won by Oliver Bryssau of Origin Broadband.
2014: Colin Brazier Rifles Through MH17 Victim's Possessions
In 2014, Sky News journalist Colin Brazier rifled through a Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 victim's possessions on live TV, leading to 110 complaints to Ofcom.
January 2015: Sky News HD Launches on Virgin Media
On January 1, 2015, Sky News HD launched on Virgin Media.
November 2015: Kay Burley Tweets Photograph After Paris Attacks
In November 2015, Kay Burley caused controversy when, in response to the November 2015 Paris attacks, she tweeted a photograph of a Golden Retriever dog, to which she had added, "Sadness in his eyes #parisattacks".
2015: Sky News Rebrand
Following the 2015 general election, Sky News was rebranded, with a new top-of-the-hour sequence and on-screen graphics. The traditional opening voiceover, read by Bruce Hammal, was dropped after two decades in use.
August 2016: Criticism for paying for fake gun trafficking story
In August 2016, Sky News was criticised after allegedly paying €2,000 to a group of Romanians to pretend they were part of an eastern European gang selling guns to terrorists in Syria. The guns featured in the report were legally owned and were hunting weapons.
October 2016: Sky News Broadcasts From New Studio
On October 24, 2016, Sky News began broadcasting from a new studio (Studio 21) at Sky Central, Sky's new headquarters in West London.
December 2016: 21st Century Fox Offer to Acquire Sky
On December 9, 2016, Sky shareholder 21st Century Fox announced an offer to acquire the remainder of the company for £11.7 billion.
January 2017: Sky Moves Business Operations
In January 2017, Sky moved its business operations into the News Building in central London.
December 2017: The Walt Disney Company Announced Intent to Acquire 21st Century Fox
On December 14, 2017, The Walt Disney Company announced its intent to acquire 21st Century Fox.
January 2018: Competition and Markets Authority Report on Sky News
In January 2018, the Competition and Markets Authority issued a preliminary report recommending that Sky News be insulated or divested from Murdoch's assets.
January 2018: Sky Moves All News Operations to Studio 21
On January 16, 2018, Sky moved all its news operations over to Studio 21, "the glass box", and a new studio in Sky Studios.
April 2018: Disney Expresses Interest in Acquiring Sky News
On April 3, 2018, Fox stated that Disney had expressed interest in acquiring Sky News in a separate transaction.
May 2018: BAFTA Award for "The Rohingya Crisis"
On 13 May 2018, Sky News won a BAFTA Award in the News Category for "The Rohingya Crisis".
June 2018: Culture Secretary Clears Fox's Deal Contingent on Divestiture of Sky News
On June 5, 2018, the then Culture Secretary Matt Hancock cleared Fox's proposed deal, contingent on the divestiture of Sky News.
October 2018: Fox No Longer Has Stake in Sky News
As of October 2018, Fox no longer has a stake in Sky News.
October 2018: International Emmy Award for News - "The Rohingya Crisis"
In October 2018, Sky News won an International Emmy Award for News for "The Rohingya Crisis".
2018: Sky News annual budget
As of 2018, Sky News had an estimated £90 million annual budget and employs about 500 staff.
2018: Royal Television Society News Channel of the Year
In 2018, Sky News was named Royal Television Society News Channel of the Year, the eleventh time the channel had won the award.
February 2019: Sky News Raw Pop-Up Channel Launch
On February 5, 2019, Sky News launched a pop-up channel called Sky News Raw. It aired behind-the-scenes programming from 07:00 to 17:00 on channel 523 on Sky TV and online via Sky News' social media channels.
April 2019: Changes in Sky News Broadcast Schedule
As of April 2019, Sky News Studio 21 was only used from 11 am to 7 pm, and 9 pm to 12 am.
January 2020: Global Channel to be Carried on Peacock
In January 2020, it was stated that the new channel would also be carried on NBCUniversal's new U.S. streaming video platform Peacock.
June 2021: Sky News Updated Graphics Package
On June 3, 2021, Sky News updated its top-of-the-hour sequence, soundtrack, and on-screen graphics package.
November 2021: Sky's top performing shows average around 160,000 viewers
The Daily Telegraph reported in November 2021, "Sky's top performing shows, including Trevor Phillips on Sunday, average around 160,000 viewers".
2021: Website tweaks to align with new branding
In 2021, the Sky News website underwent minor tweaks such as font updates and updated breaking news graphics to bring it in line with the new Sky News branding on-screen.
November 2022: Sky News Prime-Time Audience
In November 2022, Sky News averaged 52,230 each day for its prime-time audience (between 7pm and 11pm).
December 2022: Sky News Prime-Time Audience
In December 2022, Sky News averaged 52,230 each day for its prime-time audience (between 7pm and 11pm). Its all-day average was 53,350.
2022: Allegations of Qatari Bribery Related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Sky News was slightly more negative than competitors on matters related to sports, and in particular allegations of Qatari bribery related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
February 2023: Sky News Criticism Over Nicola Bulley Reporting
In February 2023, Sky News faced further criticism over its handling and reporting of missing person Nicola Bulley.
February 2023: Sky News Appoints New Executives
On February 9, 2023, David Rhodes was appointed Executive Chairman of the Sky News Group, and Jonathan Levy was appointed Managing Director and Executive Editor, Sky News UK.
July 2024: Sky News Taken Offline by CrowdStrike Incident
On July 19, 2024, Sky News was taken offline by the 2024 CrowdStrike incident, briefly making it unable to broadcast live.
2024: Royal Television Society News Channel of the Year
In 2024, Sky News was named Royal Television Society News Channel of the Year, marking the 17th time it has held the award and the channel's 7th consecutive win.
September 2025: Sky News and MSNBC Agreement
In September 2025, MSNBC and Sky News announced a "multi-year" agreement for international newsgathering resources as MSNBC prepared to separate from NBC News and become an independent operation, ahead of NBCUniversal's planned spin-off of its cable networks into a new company called Versant.
2026: Qatar Airways Sponsorship of Sky News Weather Section Ends
Qatar Airways is expected to end sponsoring Sky News' weather section in 2026, after making tens of thousands of appearances on its various services since 2005.
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