Sky News announces a raft of new programmes for 2022, Sophy Ridge returning mid-March from maternity to resume Sunday show and adding Wednesday night show.

by Thinus Ferreira

On Tuesday afternoon Sky News (DStv 402) announced a raft of new programmes

Following the announcement that the Sky News political editor Beth Rigby willhost a new prime time interview show Beth Rigby Interviews from 10 March, Sky News is also returning The Great Debate with Trevor Phillips from Monday 7 February at 23:00 (South African time).

The weekly discussion programme will, once again, give viewers the opportunity to question the decisions that are made about their lives and interrogate the people who make them. 

In addition to this, from early March on Tuesdays at 23:00, Trevor Phillips will try to find Common Ground between two protagonists with entrenched opinions on a topic in the news. 

"At a time when opinion seems noisier and more extreme than ever, Phillips will work to find the middle ground to see what can unite the two opponents," Sky News says.

Sophy Ridge is set to return to Sky News from maternity leave mid-March and will once again welcome viewers at her regular slot of 10:30 every Sunday for her weekly political talk show Sophy Ridge on Sunday. 

Later in 2022 she will also host a new show The Take with Sophy Ridge at 23:00 on Wednesdays. 

Sky News says that The Take is designed to take a mid-week political pulse "As well as hearing from members of parliament, the show will also invite viewers to give their take on the political headlines."

John Ryley, head of Sky News, says in a statement that "Sky News prides itself on its impartial journalism. We see it as our responsibility to present our viewers with dynamic, engaging and balanced programming, offering clarity in an uncertain world".

"These new programmes are designed to highlight the lively debate, discussion and opinion that is a vital part of the Sky News brand. From holding politicians to account to hearing directly from the people at the heart of the stories, our news organisation puts the British public at the heart of what we do."

Sky News adds new weekly interview show with Beth Rigby on Thursday nights from March 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

Sky News (DStv 402) is adding a new weekly interview show on Thursday nights at 23:00 (South African time) from March with Sky News' political editor Beth Rigby as the host, although the interviews will not be limited to politics.

In the as-yet-untitled interview show, Sky News says that Beth Rigby "will question decision-makers from all walks of life, and people caught up at the coal face of change".

"The aim is to explore their views on what is going on in Britain and around the world at a time of great uncertainty, and - more generally - to seek out new directions for the in-depth interview as a tool of journalism."

"In keeping with the aim of putting people at the heart of stories, Sky News will seek to show that although a lot of debate is conducted through the prism of data and evidence, it is still beliefs and human impulses which determine decisions, and humans who find themselves in the crucible of profoundly important moments."

John Ryley, head of Sky News, says "In six years at Sky News, Beth has been at the centre of some of the most compelling news stories of our generation, put those in charge on the spot, and had a front-row seat to history that has unfolded in this country".

"Now is the right time to ask more and to expand the way she can contribute to the Sky News output. Beth's standing and journalistic reputation are such that she will make Thursday nights on Sky News the destination for the big names, the big questions and the big headlines."

Beth Rigby, in the statement, says "Much in our daily lives is shaped by decisions made in parliament, which is why being Sky News' political editor is such a privilege. But I'm interested too about what happens beyond Westminster, and this flagship interview show will be the place where you'll hear from fascinating people with fascinating stories from all walks of life".

"I'm looking forward to welcoming a wide range of guests to discuss and debate the live issues, and provide a moment each week for more in depth-conversation away from the relentless rhythm of the daily news cycle."

Sky News appoints Beth Rigby as new political editor, Sam Coates joins Sky as deputy political editor.

Sky News (DStv 402) has appointed Beth Rigby as the British TV news channel's new political editor, with Sam Coates joining Sky News from The Times in the United Kingdom as deputy political editor to fill Beth Rigby's position.

Beth Rigby replaces Faisal Islam who has left Sky News to join the BBC as its economics editor. She will take up her new role from May 2019.

Beth Rigby joined Sky News in May 2016 as senior political correspondent and was promoted to deputy political editor at Sky News in July 2018.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be appointed Sky News' political editor," says Beth Rigby. "Huge opportunity and responsibility at such an important time in our political life. An honour to follow in the footsteps of Faisal Islam and Adam Boulton in such a crucial role."

"We're delighted to appoint Beth Rigby as our new political editor," says John Ryley, head of Sky News.

"Beth has a compelling vision for reporting politics differently at a time of great change and she has an excellent track record as a story getter at the Financial Times, The Times and more recently here at Sky News."

Meanwhile Sam Coates will take Beth Rigby's position as deputy political editor later in 2019.

"Beth's promotion to political editor in May gives us a great opportunity to add to our team and we're delighted Sam will be joining us as deputy political editor later in the year," says Dan Williams, Sky News head of politics.

"It's a tremendous moment in our history and there is a huge responsibility in these positions. Sam has a fantastic track record in breaking stories and getting to the heart of the political world. We look forward to him joining the team."

Sky News unveils a new daytime line-up and adds correspondents; Kay Burley gets her own self-titled show, as news channel says it's going for anchors 'giving their own take on the day's stories' to give Sky News more personality.

Sky News (DStv 402) is changing its daytime line-up, adding correspondents, giving Kay Burley the The Kay Burley Show during the afternoons and adding former ITV News anchor Mark Austin as the news channel says its going for anchors "giving their own 'take' on the day's stories" to give Sky News more personality.

The Kay Burley Show with Kay Burley will now run four days a week from Mondays to Thursdays between 15:00 and 18:00 South African time.

Sky News says in a statement that "as well as covering the breaking news, Kay’s show will deliver her own perspective on the day’s stories, with interviews, quirky off beat stories and spiky opinion and debate, challenging the status quo and reflecting the views of the United Kingdom audience."

The News Hour with Mark Austin, shown Mondays to Fridays at 18:00 (South African time) will provide "a round-up of the day’s news for the teatime audience, with a recap of events plus analysis from Sky News’ expert correspondents and interviews with the key players at the centre of the day’s stories," says Sky News.

Mark Austin is returning to Sky News' London studio after he was in the Washington bureau the past year.

Also joining the team are a number of new correspondents who will bolster Sky News' specialist reporting.

Jason Farrell moves from Westminster to become Sky News' first home editor, covering stories affecting the United Kingdom audience. Beth Rigby becomes deputy political editor, while Nick Martin takes on a new role, reporting on politics but from outside the Westminster bubble.

Rowland Manthorpe is Sky News' new technology correspondent, Kate McCann joins the political team from The Telegraph and Martha Kelner is leaving The Guardian to become Sky News sport correspondent.

The Times former defence correspondent Deborah Haynes is joining Sky News as foreign affairs editor.

"With a fast growing digital audience on the Sky News mobile app, our viewers know what’s making the headlines. But what they want is more appointment-to-view shows," says Cristina Nicolotti Squires, Sky News director of content, in a statement on Monday announcing the Sky News programming changes.

"Kay and Mark are experienced news presenters, each with their own ‘take’ on the day’s stories. Embedding them more firmly in our schedule gives us a chance to give Sky News more personality and more editorial heft at a time when being a trusted news brand has never been more important."

Jonathan Levy, Sky News' director of newsgathering, says "the appointment of these great reporters not only boosts our specialist journalism, but is also a strong signal of how Sky News is in better shape than ever. Our future looks bright and it’s great we’re attracting top talent from across the industry".