Sky Sports News is to relaunch as Sky Sports News HQ, from August 12. The channel says it will place a greater emphasis on investigative journalism across a streamlined TV, digital and mobile service.
At the same time the channel is moving to the top of the Sports section of the Sky EPG, taking channel 401, while the other channels including the new Sky Sports 5 all move down a notch.
The new look channel will have a new schedule, upgraded studio and improved digital services including redesigned apps and integrated social media coverage.
An extended studio will take twice the floorspace of the current set-up including via an 18 square-metre video wall or investigation desk as just two of 11 different presenting positions.
Sky Sports News HQ executive editor Andy Cairns, said: “Sky Sports News has always been authoritative, innovative, fun and relevant. These changes reflect how we’re staying ahead of the curve and anticipating the needs of our viewers. Sports fans want to get even further into the heart of sports news, and we’ll take them there with the best resources: 11 presentation points in a fantastic new studio, new ways of reflecting stories under investigation and those driving social conversations, and revamped apps and digital services. Two million viewers a day come to Sky Sports News, plus many more on digital and social media, and this evolution shows our commitment to delivering them an even better service.”
For the first time, users of the award-winning Sky Sports for iPad app will also be able to personalise rugby union and rugby league news as well as football and cricket. The app also features a live stream of Sky Sports News around the clock and is available to Sky Sports subscribers for free and non-subscribers for £4.99 a month. All other live channels are restricted to Sky Sports subscribers.
