Sky Deutschland has announced the launch of Sky Sport News HD this coming winter. The brand new 24 hour live sports news channel will be broadcast both in HD and SD versions.
The channel will be part of the Sky Welt bouquet and available in both Germany and Austria. Sky plans versions for internet, tablet PCs and smartphones. The broadcaster will recruit a team of around 100 people including around 50 sport journalists for the new channel, which requires an investment of about €48 million.
Sky is now in the process of obtaining a licence for the new channel from the regional media authority, the Bayerischen Landesmedienanstalt (BLM).
Brian Sullivan, CEO, Sky Germany, said in a statement: “At the moment Sky is at an exciting phase. A pioneer in the field of sport in Germany and Austria, with the launch of Sky Sports News HD we’re once once more setting our focus on high quality and cutting-edge coverage of all sports. In addition, we are expanding our HD leadership and highlight our commitment to providing the best television experience. Last year alone,we have the exclusive HD rights for Wimbledon tennis, the big European golf tournaments, the US Masters and ESPN America secure. We also offer Formula 1 racing for the first time in true HD.”
Sky has confirmed its year-end results, declaring revenues of €977.8 million (FY 2009: €902.1 million) and a negative EBITDA of €268.6 million.
