PRESS RELEASE
SKY SPORTS NEWS will relaunch on channel 401 as Sky Sports News HQ from 12 August, offering even more breaking news across a streamlined TV, digital and mobile service.
Launched for the new football season, Sky Sports News HQ will put the viewer at the heart of sports news with a new schedule, upgraded studio and improved digital services including redesigned apps and integrated social media coverage.
Sky Sports News HQ will launch on Sky channel 401, providing viewers with an unrivalled sports news service plus a showcase of other content on the Sky Sports channels. Other Sky Sports channels will move one number up the Sky digital EPG.
From 12 August, sports fans can enjoy the following from Sky Sports News HQ:
- NEW SCHEDULE: New programmes and features plus a greater emphasis on reporting stories under investigation, delivered by a team of over 200 staff, 32 reporters and 20 presenters including Kirsty Gallacher, Jim White and Natalie Sawyer.
- NEW STUDIO: Almost double the size of the previous Sky Sports News studio, the new space means viewers will enjoy more breaking news delivered in new ways, including via an 18 square-metre video wall or investigation desk as just two of 11 different presenting positions.
- ENHANCED DIGITAL OFFERING: Sky Sports apps and website have been redesigned with additional personalisation, a SSN HQ ‘hub' offering catch-up video clips and additional content alongside the live channel, breaking news notifications and trending articles.
- SOCIAL MEDIA: A social media desk will immerse viewers in the newsroom environment as Sky Sports News HQ reporters investigate what's being said on social media channels. Users will be able to have their say and join the debate via our apps, skysports.com and social media.
All this means that alongside unrivalled live sport, including more football than ever before and more of the games that matter, Sky customers can enjoy an even better complete 24/7 sports news service whether at home, in the pub or on the move.
Sky Sports managing director Barney Francis said: "Sky Sports News is the number one sports news service in Europe and we aim to make it even better. The launch of Sky Sports News HQ will extend and enhance the experience across TV, mobile and online. It's just the latest innovation from a channel that's pioneered sports news broadcasting for over 15 years. And by launching on channel 401, we want Sky Sports News HQ be the first port of call for sports fans, transforming the way they follow sport in a multiplatform era."
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."
The enhanced digital portfolio that matches the new Sky Sports News HQ will also offer an even better service for UK sports fans online, via apps and on the go.
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.
The 2.9m @SkySportsNews Twitter followers and 4.7m Sky Sports Facebook fans will get a first glimpse of changes to the studio, with photos from behind-the-scenes as the news team settle in from today.
From 12 August when the channels realign, the new European football channel Sky Sports 5 will be found on channel 406 and is being made available by Sky to its Sky Sports customers at no extra cost as part of their sports packages.
The new Sky Sports channel portfolio will realign to the following EPG numbers on 12 August 2014:
Channel EPG number
Sky Sports News HQ 401
Sky Sports 1 402
Sky Sports 2 403
Sky Sports 3 404
Sky Sports 4 405
Sky Sports 5 406
Sky Sports F1 407
Additional information regarding Sky:
Sky is the UK and Ireland's leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.
Sky is the UK's biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News. Around two-thirds of Sky's content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.
Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.
Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky's second consumer brand, builds on the company's leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play' provider of TV, broadband and home phone.
Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 24,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.9 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).
